What Clarington firefighters want you to know this summer

Clarington has launched a new summer public education campaign featuring local firefighters from its five fire stations, sharing safety tips they wish every resident knew. 

Through a series of social media videos, residents will meet the people behind Clarington Emergency and Fire Services (CEFS), hear about common fire risks and learn how small actions at home can make a big difference. The campaign explores the three parts of fire safety: preventing emergencies where possible, detecting danger early and showing how firefighters prepare and respond when help is needed. 

Five safety tips from Clarington firefighters 

1. Stay with your cooking. Most kitchen fires start when someone leaves the room for just a minute. 
2. Charge lithium-ion batteries safely. When charging things like e-bikes, e-scooters, power tools, laptops and phones, use hard, flat surfaces and avoid charging overnight where possible. 
3. Know the rules before lighting a backyard fire. Recreational fires must comply with Clarington's open-air burning requirements. See if your backyard can have a fire at www.clarington.net/OutdoorFireGuide. 
4. Test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms regularly. Working alarms provide the early warning needed to get out safely. 
5. Avoid damaged or overloaded outlets, power bars and extension cords. Small electrical hazards can quickly become serious emergencies.

Explore more fire safety tips at www.clarington.net/FireSafety.

Ready to respond 

Ever wonder what firefighters do when there's a fire without nearby hydrants? Or how crews ensure they have everything they need for an ice water rescue, serious collision or other complicated emergencies? 

The campaign also takes residents behind-the-scenes of emergency response in Clarington, highlighting some of the people, equipment and investments helping firefighters prepare for all types of emergencies and protect a growing community. 

• Two new supertankers that support firefighting in areas without nearby hydrants. Each can draw water from nearby ponds, creeks and other water sources and carries double the water of a standard tanker – that’s enough to fill an average above-ground pool. 
• A new rescue truck equipped with specialized tools for a wide variety of complex situations. It also provides a rehabilitation space where people can recover during long emergency incidents. 
• More full-time firefighters, ready to respond fast, with Fire Station 1 in Bowmanville recently expanding to a two-crew hall, helping ensure more firefighters are available when calls come in. 
• One of the service's largest recruitment efforts in recent years, with 20 volunteer firefighters moving into full-time roles and 19 new volunteer firefighters joining the team. 
• Specialized training that prepares firefighters for evolving emergencies, from battery fires, wildfires and other complex rescue situations. 
• New gear-washing equipment that helps remove harmful contaminants from protective gear after emergency calls.