Pubdate: Wed, 10 Aug 2005
Source: Whitehorse Star (CN YK)
Copyright: 2005 Whitehorse Star
Contact:  http://www.whitehorsestar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1493
Author: Matthew Grant
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

DRUG LABS ON AGENDA FOR FIRE CHIEF'S MEETING

Next week's meeting of the Association of Yukon Fire Chiefs will be an
opportunity for the territory's fire fighters to learn and exchange
information, says Whitehorse fire chief Clive Sparks.

The Association has their convention next week, Aug. 17-20, at the
city's Gold Rush Inn and will see about 40 firefighters from across
the territory come to Whitehorse to take part in the event.

"This particular convention is open to all firefighters from across
the territory," Sparks said.

"It's a chance for fire chiefs to discuss the concerns that we
have."

About 10 firefighters from the Whitehorse area are scheduled to attend
the convention.

According the convention's proposed agenda, the firefighters will be
involved in a number of informational seminars ranging from "fire
smarting communities" to the dangers posed by "clandestine drug labs."

Fire smarting, says Sparks, is geared mostly to rural departments and
involves things such as informing property owners in urban fringe
areas of how best to avoid and protect their properties from fires as
well as the cleaning up of deadwood and removal of trees.

Sparks said some fire officials from the Vancouver Fire Department
have been kind enough to come to Whitehorse to share their knowledge
about clandestine drug labs with Yukon firefighters.

He said issues such as meth amphetamine labs and marijuana grow
operations will likely be the main topics of discussion. "He's (the
Vancouver guest) is going to be talking about what you may encounter
as a firefighter.

"We don't have a lot of meth amphetamine labs yet that we know of," he
said.

He said drug labs pose several dangers ranging from the improper
handling of chemicals to the dangers posed by trying to bypass
electrical metres.

Sparks said part of the conference will also be set aside to discuss
the impacts of Bill C-45 and how that affects firefighters.

"This is new legislation and we're making sure our members are aware
of its implications," Sparks said.

Bill C-45 is federal legislation that deals with liability in areas
such as workplace safety and due diligence.

"If you (as a fire chief or in some cases a fire fighter) know of a
danger in an area and you let people go into that situation and they
get killed or hurt, you could be held liable," he said.

Bill C-45 applies to all areas of work, not just firefighters.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin