CanSIA & OAFC Partner to Provide Improved Safety, Training & Notification to Ontario's Firefighters

In an effort to continue to improve the safety of firefighters and the people they protect, the Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA) and the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs (OAFC) today announced a partnership that will provide improved safety, training and notification to Ontario's firefighters. 

The partnership is a result of both organizations wanting to ensure that firefighters are properly trained to deal with incidents in areas where solar panels may be present. The key to this partnership is making sure that firefighters have the additional training they need when they arrive at a fire site that includes a solar power system.

"Our members have always put safety first so we are thrilled to call the OAFC a partner," said CanSIA President and CEO John Gorman. "We know solar energy, they know firefighting -- it makes sense we work together for everyone's benefit."

In December 2013, CanSIA set up a Solar PV Fire Safety working committee comprised of risk managers, engineers, and solar installers and manufacturers to liaise with thought leaders in the firefighting community. The goal of the committee was to identify how to make the job of firefighters easier with respect to solar PV.

In three short months the solar industry and the firefighting community agreed to move forward together to address safety issues of mutual concern. Shared objectives of the partnership include:

  • Providing a safe working environment for firefighters;
  • Ensuring the development of appropriate standardized training, in a solar PV environment, to be provided by firefighters, for firefighters; and
  • Ensuring appropriate, easily visible notification where solar power systems are present.


"The health and safety of firefighters is one of the main priorities of Fire Chiefs across the province. We are pleased that our partnership with CanSIA, will provide additional training and safety measures," said OAFC President Matt Pegg. "The fast paced growth of solar energy in Ontario over the last few years strengthens the need for more specific training for our firefighters. Working together with front line solar industry experts will assist us in better serving our communities."
 
CanSIA and the OAFC will collaborate on training initiatives such as the creation of a training program specific to solar power, the development of a solar safety handbook, and will provide reciprocal speaking opportunities to better educate each other's industries.
 
This Ontario initiative emphasizes CanSIA's commitment to safety and is an important beginning of what will become a nationwide education program.

CanSIA
www.cansia.ca