Newly Appointed Executive Director of the BC Professional Fire Fighters' Burn Fund

Jeff Sauvé, Burn Fund Executive Director

The BCPFFA is extremely pleased to extend a warm welcome to Jeff Sauvé, the newly appointed Executive Director of the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund. With over two decades in sport, Jeff has served as the leader of various non-profit organizations, including with national and provincial organizations. Some of Jeff's career highlights include: serving as a consultant with the Toronto Maple Leafs, his role in bringing international rugby events to Canada, and serving on various national committees for the Canadian Olympic Committee.

“Jeff is an incredibly driven, smart and compassionate leader. I know our talented staff team and board of directors will enjoy working with him.  His extensive experience, professionalism and aptitude for the position is recognized by many in the non-profit sector. I am pleased with our decision in selecting such a prominent leader who will help our organization continue to grow and serve the needs of survivors of burns and trauma across the province.” says President Gord Ditchburn. 

Jeff is a highly regarded, progressive, and strategic leader with a track record of collaborating with a wide range of stakeholders, strengthening communities, raising funds, and supporting deserving programs and individuals.

Secretary Treasurer Todd Schierling goes on to say, “We are thrilled that Jeff has joined the Burn Fund team! Jeff has extensive experience in providing senior leadership in various provincial and national organizations and has been successful in collaborating with a wide range of stakeholders to build sustainable financial platforms, activating a variety of campaigns and events to raise funds, including those affiliated with BC gaming.”

Jeff is a graduate of Queen's University where he competed for the Golden Gaels in ice hockey and lacrosse. Jeff holds a Masters degree from the University of Windsor and a certificate in Strategic Leadership from the UBC’s Sauder School of Business. As a current member of the Psychology of Exercise, Health, and Physical Activity Laboratory at UBC, Jeff is nearing completion of a PhD he has been working on in his spare time over the last six years.

Jeff can be contacted by

Source: Burn Fund newsletter “The Locals’ News”

 

Jeff Sauvé, Burn Fund’s Executive Director (with our Home Away Stress Intervention Dog ‘Benji”)

 

Vancouver Local 18 sister elected to IAFF Human Relations Committee

Jack Jessop biennial Canadian Policy Conference

On behalf of the BCPFFA, we would like to congratulate one of our own BC members, from IAFF Local 18 Vancouver sister Katrina Davison on her success in attaining the honour of being elected to the IAFF Human Relations Committee at the Jack Jessop Biennial Canadian Conference. Sister Davison who serves on Vancouver Local 18’s Executive Board as Vice President of Diversity & Inclusion brings a multitude of skills that will serve to enhance the great work of this IAFF Committee.

The Jack Jessop Biennial Canadian Policy Conference was hosted virtually on February 7 & 8, 2022.

As part of the Canadian Policy Conference, two positions on the IAFF’s Human Relations Committee were selected as Canadian representatives. These positions are of the six elected positions dedicated solely to Canada (3 District VP’s, 1 Trustee and 2 Human Relations Committee) and serve to represent Canadian IAFF members. 

Three candidates put forth their names to serve on this committee and as a result, an election took place with for the two positions. The results were announced on February 8th, 2022. 

  • Clive Deonarine L1092 - Elected 

  • Katrina Davison L18 - Elected 

We would like to thank Ann Bryan of Local 498 Kingston for her dedication and commitment in serving on the IAFF Human Relations Committee for the past decade.

As per the IAFF, the IAFF Elected Human Relations Committee (EHRC), composed of 16 elected members, develops and recommends policies and procedures for affiliates. Since 1988, it has assisted IAFF members in improving relationships and educating members regarding human relations issues. 

While the EHRC is formally assigned the task of recommending policy and procedures pertaining to discrimination for all local, state and provincial affiliates, it also addresses problems concerning minority affairs by:

  • Providing technical assistance to local unions on matters pertaining to discrimination (the policy of the IAFF on assistance foe human relations issues can be found on pages 5-6 of the Humans Relations manual). 

  • Counselling and advising local unions in the form of meetings with IAFF members and/or meetings with local committees and management.

  • Improving and expediting communications between local unions and the IAFF in matters concerning civil rights by developing and presenting the biennial IAFF Human Relations Conference.” 

This is a tremendous honour that comes with hard work and we wish Sister Davison every success. Thank you to EVP Rob Weeks of L18 for the nomination of Sister Davison, a great honour for Vancouver, its members and indeed our Provincial Association. 

Next year the Jack Jessop Biennial Canadian Policy will be held in Burnaby, BC hosted by Local 323.


Sincerely,

Gord Ditchburn, President





Burn Awareness Week February 6-12, 2022

Burn Awareness Week Stats and Tips 

Date: February 6 - 12, 2022 

Theme: Burning Issues in the Kitchen! 

BC Stats from the Office of the Fire Commissioner: 

*These statistics are based on fire incidents reported to the OFC and are subject to change as fire reports continue to be submitted after the date of this publication. 

  • Cooking equipment is the third leading cause of structure fires in BC 

  • 2021 Stats: 

    • 690 fires caused by cooking equipment out of a total number of 3,287 fires in BC.

    • Three people died from these fires - the highest number in the last 10 years ○ 31 people were injured 

    • $56,684,290 in damage (both contents and property loss) 

    • 63 fires in 2021 were caused by people being distracted or preoccupied 

  • Causes: 

    • Fire on the stovetop burner area involving a fire in a pan or wok 

    • Fire on the stovetop burner area involving a fire in a pot used as a deep fryer 3. Fire on a stovetop burner area involving other circumstances 

Fire-caused deaths in BC are on the rise: 

  • In 2021 there were 45 deaths and 162 injuries due to fires in BC 

  • An additional 14 deaths that are pending further investigation, bringing the potential total fire deaths in British Columbia in 2021 to 59 

  • In 2020 there were 52 fire-caused deaths 

  • In 2019 there were 27 fire-caused deaths 

  • Most deaths and injuries caused by fire occur in people’s private homes 

Cooking Tips: 

  • A leading cause of home fires is unattended cooking - stay in the kitchen!

  • Have a “kid and pet free zone” of one metre around the stove and areas where hot food or drinks are prepared or carried. 

  • Watch what you are cooking. Fires start when the heat is too high. If you see any smoke or the grease starts to boil, turn the burner off.

  • Make sure you are awake and alert while cooking. Alcohol and some drugs can make you sleepy. 

  • Wear short, close-fitting or tightly rolled sleeves when cooking. Loose clothing can dangle onto stove burners and can catch fire if it comes in contact with a gas flame or electric burner. 

  • Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove so no one can bump them or pull them over. 

  • Keep things that can catch fire, like oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels, away from the stove. 

If you have a small grease or oven cooking fire: 

  • On the stove top, smother the flames by sliding a lid over the pan and turning off the burner. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled. 

  • Never pour water or use a fire extinguisher on a cooking pan grease fire! 

  • For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed. After a fire, the oven should be checked and/or serviced before being used again. 

If you have any doubt, get out! 

  • When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire.

  • Call 911 or your local emergency number from outside your home. 

If a Burn Happens: 

  • Cool the skin immediately using any water available. The water should be cool, not cold, and never use ice. 

  • Cool the burn for at least a minute, even if there are blisters. 

  • Never put butter or oil on a burn! This old wives’ tale will actually slow the release of heat from the skin and cause more damage. 

  • For smaller burns, use a band aid. For larger burns, cover the burn and seek medical attention. When in doubt, go to the hospital! 

Social Media Toolkit 

The Office of the Fire Commissioner has created this toolkit with messaging and graphics: Download tips and stats from the Burn Fund and the BC Office of the Fire Commissioner here:

 
 

BCPFFA Is Raising Awareness On Cancer Rates Among Fire Fighters

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          January 20, 2022                                                                     

Research shows that fire fighters are significantly more likely to be diagnosed with certain types of cancer than the general public – a trend that fire service organizations hope to reduce. (Fire Fighter Cancer Support Network).

The British Columbia Professional Fire Fighters’ Association (BCPFFA), an affiliate of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and the Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN) are partnering to deliver targeted education about best practices and resources to prevent and reduce cancer among fire fighters during “Fire Fighter Cancer Awareness Month in January”.

The month-long campaign includes training briefs and a focus on prevention and mitigation, including the scope of the cancer in the fire service, best practices for prevention and skills to help survivors of occupational cancer.

These topics are reinforced with online resources, such as daily training information and infographics that promote the program and underline the importance of the issue on social media, as well as podcasts addressing the important issues of prevention and documentation of exposures to carcinogens. Visit facebook.com/bcpffa 

"Ensuring the health and well-being of fire fighters is our top priority so we can keep our fire fighter families and communities safe. Further education is necessary as is more assistance and resources for fire fighters when it comes to navigating an occupational cancer diagnosis. Working together with Fire Service leaders, the BC government, and WorkSafeBC on prevention and education will increase cancer awareness and save lives." says President Gord Ditchburn.

Several best practices and policies centred around Cancer Awareness and Prevention among fire fighters need to be implemented in all Fire Departments and are listed here on the FCSN’s Resource Library. 

The BC Government in 2005 enacted legislation that presumes certain cancers and recognized illnesses/diseases are occupationally related to fire fighting. Fire fighters must meet certain cumulative periods for each cancer/disease to engage the workers compensation process and receive the benefits of the presumptive coverage.  While BC currently recognizes 13 different types of cancers as occupational among fire fighters, Ditchburn says “we are sadly falling behind many other provincial jurisdictions; there's room to add several more cancers as science confirms their link to our dangerous profession”. 

The Primary Sites for cancers that are recognized in this BC Workers Compensation Act are: Bladder, Brain, Breast, Colorectal, Esophageal, Kidney, Leukemia, Lung. Multiple Myeloma Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Prostate, Testicular, Ureter. During our 2022 Legislative lobbying effort, we will again be asking the BC Government to recognize an additional five cancers - Pancreatic, Thyroid, Penile, as well as female reproductive cancers - Cervical and Ovarian. In addition, we are seeking to reduce  the cumulative periods for Colorectrol, Testicular to 10 years (from 20 yrs) and Esophageal to 15 years (from 20 years). It is paramount that we address the cancer risk for all members.” says Ditchburn.  

BCPFFA is raising awareness on cancer rates among Fire Fighters

According to the IAFF database, eighty-four (84) BC Professional Fire Fighters have died from recognized occupational cancers in the past, cancers formally deemed to have resulted from workplace exposure and were covered under WorkSafeBC. “Our members are increasingly being diagnosed with cancer as a result of on-the-job exposures. We have had the sad duty of adding far too many of their names to the Line of Duty Death list of our BCPFFA Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial,” says President Ditchburn. “That’s why we have partnered with the IAFF and FCSN to establish January as Fire Fighter Cancer Awareness Month – to give our hard-working members the most up-to-date guidance and data that will allow them the opportunity to enjoy a long, safe career and a healthy retirement.”

Source IAFF

Source IAFF

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MEDIA CONTACT

Gord Ditchburn

President BC Professional Fire Fighters Association

e: president@bcpffa.org 

c: 604.916.7100



ABOUT THE BCPFFA

Established in 1929, the British Columbia Professional Fire Fighters’ Association (BCPFFA) is an affiliate of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF).  The BCPFFA is comprised of 53 IAFF locals who represent over 4,200 professional men and women fire fighters, dispatchers, prevention officers and support members in BC, including the Yukon. 

Thank you for the Support

Thank you for purchasing your Bright Nights 50/50 tickets in support of the BC Professional Fire Fighters' Burn Fund. Thanks to your help, the jackpot reached $523,685 and donations made through this fundraiser totalled $34,162.76!

Congratulations to winner J. Griffin of Vancouver who has won $261,842.50!

The BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund faced a challenging year in 2021. Online donations were down 40% and freezing temperatures stopped the Bright Nights Christmas Train in its tracks, forcing the Burn Fund’s largest annual fundraising event to close. Then in the final week, theft of the main power connection forced the premature cancellation of this beloved holiday tradition.

Every person who purchased Bright Nights 50/50 tickets is a winner. Your ticket purchase helped recoup important funds typically raised through Bright Nights in Stanley Park.

Your support makes a meaningful difference in the lives of burn survivors. We hope that you have the satisfaction of knowing that your ticket purchase directly helps survivors by funding supportive programs, paying for vital medical equipment, and even offering families accommodations when they need it most.

We look forward to welcoming our community back to Bright Nights in Stanley Park next holiday season for its 25th anniversary. An extension of our favourite holiday event, the Bright Nights 50/50 will also return in November 2022 for its third year - in what will certainly be its best year yet!

Thank you for your generous support.

Bright Nights Train stopped in its tracks due to suspected theft

UPDATE: December 31 2021 @ 16:17

This morning the Vancouver Park Board Team was thrilled to fix the train’s mechanical issues brought on by freezing temperatures this week. In a routine run through of the train this afternoon, Park Board Staff discovered that the Bright Nights Train route was in the dark. The train and lights are perfectly intact, however the main power source has been subject to suspected theft, effectively canceling Bright Nights for the remainder of the season. The matter is now pending further investigation with VPD.

The Vancouver Park Board and the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund are devastated that the public will not have a final opportunity to experience the magic of Bright Nights this year - a year in which Bright Nights in Stanley Park faced many challenges. 

The Vancouver Park Board created a virtual train experience earlier this season which they wish to share with the public. Bright Nights in Stanley Park is the Burn Fund’s single largest fundraising event. The charity is asking the public for support with its Bright Nights 50/50 - the deadline is midnight tonight."

 

Virtual Bright Nights at Stanley Park

 

"It’s truly heartbreaking,” says President Gord Ditchburn. The year has been hard enough and now a suspected theft has occurred which is well beyond our control. From extreme weather conditions, covid restrictions and now this, 2021 has been a year of challenges and barriers. Fire fighters across our Province look forward to putting on Bright Nights every year for the community, raising funds to help support burn survivors across BC & Yukon. This final setback is devastating.”

The public can still support the Burn Fund by visiting this link to Bright Nights 50/50: https://trellis.org/bright-nights-5050?utm_campaign=cc31 or making a donation www.burnfund.org/donate

MEDIA CONTACT
Nicole Clark, Director of Communications
BC Professional Fire Fighters' Burn Fund
E: communications@burnfund.org