Hearing Society, fire service join forces for 'first of its kind' expo

Posted By DAVE FLAHERTY , LINDSAY POST REPORTER

Posted 2 months ago

Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue Service and the local branch of the Canadian Hearing Society (CHS) teamed up this past weekend to put on what organizers called a "first of its kind" event.

The two organizations teamed together to present the Fire Safety Expo at the Victoria Park Armoury in Lindsay on Saturday. The event was targeted specifically to people who are deaf and hard of hearing, said John Gearin, a general support services counsellor with the City of Kawartha Lakes branch of the CHS.

Brian McCuaig, a fire prevention inspector with Kawartha Lakes Fire and Rescue Service, said they had often been approached by residents who are deaf or hard of hearing with questions about how fire safety applied to them specifically.

However, McCuaig acknowledged they didn't always have complete answers to those questions.

"We thought it was an oversight," McCuaig said. "So along with the CHS, we came up with the idea of having a trade show."

McCuaig said although current legislation requires a working smoke detector on the floor of every home, the majority of those who are deaf or hard of hearing wouldn't be aware of the noise emitted from such devices.

Gearin told The Lindsay Post there is a number of alternative fire safety devices that are offered to help those with hearing problems.

One such device is a strobing smoke alarm which utilizes a pulsating light rather than an audible alarm.

There are also wireless systems that allow for a special box to be connected to the smoke detector.

If the smoke alarm goes off, a pulsating light is illuminated on the box, warning a person of the situation.

These wireless systems can also be used to indicate when a phone is ringing, a door bell has been rung or even alert residents of home intrusions.

It may also include a device which is placed under the person's mattress and vibrates when a situation arises.

A number of information booths were set up at the event, with groups such as Canadian Red Cross, Emergency Management Ontario and the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides present.

Gearin said the turnout for the event was encouraging and they will look into making it an annual event.

McCuaig noted that a representative from the Pickering Fire Service was in attendance and showed interest in holding a similar event in their area.

For more information on fire safety options offered to deaf and hard of hearing persons, contact the CHS locally at 878-5092 or visit www.chs.ca.

dflaherty@thepost.ca