Minister Provides Update of Fire and Life Safety Assessments at Health Facilities

Today, the Honourable Dave Denine, Minister of Municipal Affairs and the Minister Responsible for Fire and Emergency Services � Newfoundland and Labrador, provided an update on the progress of fire and life safety assessments at the health facilities recognized as being non-sprinklered.

"Last week, I directed the Office of the Fire Commissioner to complete assessments at 10 health facilities and to report back to government within 30 days," said Minister Denine. "However, to address immediate concerns being raised about the Dr. Walter Templeman Health Centre on Bell Island and the Dr. W. H. Newhook Community Health Centre at Whitbourne, I advised the Fire Commissioner to make these facilities a priority. The Fire Commissioner has provided a preliminary summary report of fire and life safety reviews of these two facilities."

The assessments, conducted on March 11 and 12 by officials from the Fire Commissioner�s Office, reinforced the earlier view of the Fire Commissioner that there is no immediate fire or life safety issue at either facility.

"While the Fire Commissioner has already recommended installing a sprinkler at the Dr. Walter Templeman Health Centre, his assessment does not identify any immediate fire and life safety dangers to staff or patients," said Minister Denine. "Similarly, the Dr. W. H. Newhook Community Health Centre assessment did not identify any immediate danger to staff or patients and the Fire Commissioner is not recommending a sprinkler system for this facility."

"Our government is committed to taking action on any recommendations by the Fire Commissioner on the health facilities in this province," said the Honourable Ross Wiseman, Minister of Health and Community Services. "I have reviewed the initial report of the Fire Commissioner and based on its findings, we will install a sprinkler system in the health centre on Bell Island. This will add to our government�s investment of over $9 million to date in sprinkler systems and fire safety upgrades for our health facilities."

The remaining eight assessments will include a site visit, review of emergency and evacuation procedures, check of alarm and fire response systems, review of staff training, and interviews with appropriate staff to effectively determine that appropriate fire and life safety practices are in place at these facilities.

The Fire Commissioner�s report will be submitted to the Provincial Government once assessments of all 10 identified facilities have been completed. Once actions and solutions are identified, the Office of the Fire Commissioner will provide follow-up at the facilities in conjunction with local/municipal fire departments.

"Our government is committed to addressing fire and life safety issues which come to our attention, and protecting the residents of Newfoundland and Labrador," said Minister Denine. "The general public can be confident in our government�s commitment to act upon the recommendations of the Fire Commissioner�s Office when his final report is submitted."

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2008 03 14                                                10:50 a.m.