Manitoba tackles fire safety in care homes, health facilities
The Manitoba government is striking a task force to improve fire safety in hospitals, personal care homes and other health-care facilities.
It is also dedicating up to $7 million annually for sprinkler and other fire safety upgrades in those facilities. And a $2-million fire safety fund will also being created to cover any unforeseen expenses.
"There's nothing more important to families than knowing their loved ones are being taken care of and are safe in their homes," said Health Minister Erin Selby.
"The fire safety measures in place today are already very strong, but with the recent tragedy at a seniors home in Quebec, we want to be sure that we are doing absolutely everything possible to protect residents and staff."
In January, CBC News reported that Manitoba has 125 personal care homes and of those, 62 have full sprinkler systems, while 24 have partial systems.
That leaves 39 without any sprinkler system at all. And of those, 35 are in rural areas.
Since 1998 Manitoba's building code has required all newly built or extensively renovated personal care homes to have full sprinkler systems installed. However, the provincial government does not require older facilities to be retrofitted to meet the same standards.
The fire safety task force will review fire safety in facilities that house vulnerable people including retirement homes, assisted living and supportive housing, hospitals and group homes, states a press release from the government.
The task force will also provide advice on timelines for sprinkler installations and on facilities where sprinkler retrofits would be appropriate. It will be chaired by staff from the Office of the Fire Commissioner and include representatives from the Manitoba Building Standards Board, the Manitoba Association of Fire Chiefs, front-line fire services, regional health authorities and several provincial departments.
The task force will look at a range of fire and life safety activities including fire protection and early warning systems, code enforcement and inspections, education and prevention, and emergency and fire planning, the province said.
Recommendations from the task force are expected in fall 2014.
"Fire sprinkler systems are just one important element of fire safety plans in health-care facilities," said Labour and Immigration Minister Erna Braun.
"These investments will help health-care facilities focus on fire prevention efforts and staff training, as well as develop strong fire plans that are specific to the needs of their facility."
