Awareness Events and Programs
What is Project ASAP?
Project ASAP is a FREE program, provided by Sault Ste. Marie Fire Services, to assist seniors 65+ who are living in Sault Ste. Marie and still currently living on their own. The acronym ASAP stands for "Assisting Seniors Awareness Program".
How does the Program Work?
Seniors 65+ and family members of seniors 65+ have the ability to call or email to book an appointment with the Public Education Officer, similar to how constituents of Sault Ste. Marie can book an appointment with Fire Prevention Officers for inspections.
Another option to sign up for the program is by a referral from community agencies and healthcare members the community (ex.) such as doctors, caregivers, and community agencies. Referral forms are filled out for clients and forwarded to Sault Ste. Marie Fire Services.
After the initial referral, the Public Education Officer will set up a time and date to visit the seniors home. During this 1-hour visit, the Education Officer will:
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Check and test fire safety equipment, this may include: smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, extinguishers, etc.)
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Review potential fire hazards in the home
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Discuss and complete a home fire escape plan
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Fill out recommendations for the homeowner with a complete checklist
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Provide the homeowner with a Project ASAP fire safety gift bag
This program can become an annual visit. Sault Fire Service will contact the resident each year to revisit the home. This is to ensure that everything is in proper working order as well as to assist the homeowner with fire safety if any changes in mobility, care, and/or health have occurred since the previous visit.
Why Seniors?
Fire safety for all citizens is the prominent focus of the Sault Ste. Marie Fire Service. With an aging population, the concern grows even greater.
At age 65, older adults are twice (x2) as likely to be injured or killed by fires compared to the population at large. By age 75, that risk increases to three times (x3) that of the general population – and four times (x4) by age 85.
How Can You Help?
Teaching older adults to protect themselves from fire can be a challenge because it can be difficult to reach them. Some older adults are very active in the community, while others, due to health or lifestyle, may be much more isolated.
You can help us with this initiative. Spread the word to colleagues. Refer clients or family members to the program. Promote the program on social media. With the assistance of local citizens and community partners, the program aims to ensure older adults feel safe, comfortable, and educated when it comes to fire safety in the home.
Expected Results
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Educate the citizens within this rising demographic in Sault Ste. Marie
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Increase Home Fire Safety Awareness for seniors
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Decrease fire injuries and fatalities for this demographic
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Increase in compliance with fire safety regulations, regarding smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms
Forms
For more information or to schedule a visit, please contact:
In-Service Smoke & CO Alarm Program
Did you hear a beep this month? All citizens should install, maintain, and regularly test all smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in the home.
Each summer, beginning after the May long weekend through to the end of September, your Sault Ste. Marie Fire Service visits local residents door to door to provide valuable life safety information. Crews visit neighbourhoods Monday to Thursday, from 6:00 until 8:30pm. Welcome firefighters to your home.
Our crews will be following safety protocols by wearing personal protective equipment when arriving at your door.
Firefighters will change batteries and test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. They will also handout fire safety information on smoke and CO alarms, as well as about our seniors program, open-air burning, and contact information for our department.
Smoke and CO alarms don’t last forever – Check the Date! Over time, sensors can be affected by pet hair, cooking smoke and dust. It doesn’t matter if alarms are battery powered, plug-in or hardwired into your home’s electrical system - smoke alarms must be replaced every 10 years. For all smoke, carbon monoxide, and combination CO/smoke alarm replacement, follow manufacturer guidelines.
Your safety is the main concern of Sault Fire Services, so please understand that failure to maintain smoke alarms in operating condition can result in a ticket.
Let’s stay committed to creating a safe community.
For more information or to schedule a visit, please contact:
Aaron Gravelle
Public Education Officer
705-949–3333 ext. 2246
a.gravelle@cityssm.on.ca
Juvenile Fire-Setters Program (TAPP-C)
Prevention program for children aged 2-17 years
If your child or teenager is involved in fire-play or fire-setting, you are not alone. Many children and teenagers have a fascination with fire. It's important to understand that while curiosity about fire is natural, fire-play can be dangerous. Unfortunately, many children die or are injured in fires they start themselves.
This program is free of charge and available to children aged 2-17 years. The TAPP-C program brings together fire service and counselling professionals to help families deal with children and teens involved in fire-play. Sault Ste. Marie Fire Services Public Education and Fire Prevention Officers work with the child and their families to educate them about fire and fire-safety practices. Counselling professionals assess the risk of continued fire involvement and help children and families deal with issues that may contribute to fire-setting.
Book a Presentation
Want to know more about fire safety?
Are you interested in learning more about how you can better prepare yourself, your family, and your coworkers about preventing fire related incidents? Then consider a presentation from a Sault Ste. Marie Fire Services Public Education or Prevention Officer.
Presentations are offered to all types of groups and organizations:
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Seniors groups
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Schools
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Local businesses
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Community groups
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Any group, organization, agency, or business in the Sault Ste. Marie community interested in learning about fire safety
Note: Presentation services are currently only available in English.
For more information or to book a presentation, please contact:
Aaron Gravelle
Public Education Officer
705-949–3333 ext. 2246
a.gravelle@cityssm.on.ca