In providing details of a review of provincial health facilities by the Office of the Fire Commissioner, the Honourable Dave Denine, Minister of Municipal A Affairs and Minister Responsible for Fire and Emergency Services-Newfoundland and Labrador, said today that no health facility in the province has immediate fire and life safety concerns.

The Office of the Fire Commissioner has determined that of the 71 health facilities in the province, 22 are not fully sprinklered. Of the 22 health facilities identified, 12 are community clinics and do not require sprinkler systems as they were not designed or intended to house patients overnight, and have appropriate fire safety measures in place to effectively address an emergency situation.

"To ensure that public safety interests are protected, I have requested that the Fire Commissioner undertake individual assessments of the remaining 10 health facilities and report back to me within 30 days for review and subsequent action, if required," said Minister Denine. "The Fire Commissioner will provide advice on upgrades or measures, if any, that may be required. Although no immediate fire and life safety issues have been identified to the Office of the Fire Commissioner, I feel it is appropriate to action a review of fire and safety practices at these facilities."

The inspection work will be conducted by officials from the Office of the Fire Commissioner in partnership with local/municipal fire departments. The 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.

"Our government is committed to ensuring the provision of quality health care services and programs in safe environments � residents of this province can be confident in our commitment and in the assessment of the Fire Commissioner that there are no immediate concerns with our health facilities from a fire and life safety perspective," said the Honourable Ross Wiseman, Minister of Health and Community Services. "To date, our government has invested $9 million alone in sprinkler systems and fire safety upgrades for our health facilities. This includes tenders that will close this month for sprinkler systems in Forteau and St. Anthony, building on our already substantial investment in health facilities. Our government has also already announced a further commitment of at least $20 million in Budget 2008 for maintenance and repair work to health care facilities around the province."

The total investment by the Williams Government over the last four years for new health infrastructure and capital repairs and maintenance, including fire sprinkler systems, totals $128 million.

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2008 03 06                                                   5:40 p.m.