HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2018-08-16, Page 7What is your evacuation plan?
By Julie Sawchuk
Recent events and personal
experiences have together
prompted me to write about
emergency exits from the point of
view of people with disabilities. We
tend to focus on the importance of
getting into a building — but forget
about the even more important need
of getting out of a building in an
emergency.
The tragedy in California saw a
great-grandmother and her
grandchildren die in the out -of -
control wild fire because there was
no way to escape their home. We
think of that as worlds away, yet
Parry Sound 33 still burns "being
held". The heat and lack of rain this
summer caused a very early and
intense forest fire season. We even
had several wheat crops burning in
our own county.
So what would you do? How
would you get everyone out of your
house, your work, the community
centre or church? Imagine all
possible scenarios. My recent
experience in Ottawa demonstrated
the planning that went into the fire
escape systems in place at
Parliament Hill, specifically the
Peace Tower.
Visiting the Peace Tower is kind
of like going up the CN Tower,
except there is only one elevator,
you don't get quite so high and
there are armed guards at the top
and bottom of that elevator. In order
for me to go up to the viewing level
they first empty it of all other
visitors — about six elevator loads of
people. Then, with one other person
(Theo) and an armed officer, I
boarded the elevator (in my
wheelchair) and went to the top. We
were the only three people up there!
It was lovely to not have to ask
people to move so I could see down
below, but that was not the reason
why they do it.
In case of an emergency, their
plan is that the officer would be
able to assist me down the stairs
(carry me?) and not have other
people to assist or be in the way of
my escape. That's what they told us
anyway. When Theo and I arrived
back to the base of the tower the
lineup was even longer than
before — just like the CN Tower!
My point is, they have a plan. And
obviously they have practised that
plan and, realized that having a
person with a mobility device at the
top of the 150 -foot tower, requires a
plan.
How can you be ready for an
emergency in your building? Tall
buildings without fireproof
elevators should have a designated
refuge area. This location is usually
in a stairwell where doorways seal
for up to three hours of protection
allowing rescuers time to get to
those who cannot get down the
stairs. Evacuation chairs can
transport a person smoothly down
stairs when an elevator cannot be
used. There should also be clear
exit signs that light up, visual fire
alarms and glow -in -the -dark strips
on floors, railings and stairs help
indicate the direction of exits.
Perhaps the most important thing
is to communicate the evacuation
plan clearly. Having a plan in place
and showing people what to do and
where to go will save lives. One of
the best examples of an emergency
plan (that I have seen) is on the
walls of the Huron County
Courthouse building on the square
in Goderich. The font is large and
clear (minimum size is 14 point)
with good colour contrast. There is
no glare on the surface and the
reader can determine exactly where
they need to go because the floor
plan diagram clearly shows the exit
points. The sign is also posted at an
accessible height (110 centimetres)
and there are no obstructions in
front of it.
What about in your home? Can
you get everyone out in an
emergency — including your guests
with disabilities? As our new house
takes shape I have been showing
friends what will be my emergency
exit. Because I cannot crawl out of
a window if the front of the house is
on fire, I will be able to roll out
onto a patio, right from my
bedroom.
Please consider your plan. Can
everyone get out? Communicate
your plan to your colleagues and
your family. Practise your plan to
make sure it works. Remember
your school fire drills? We did
those for a reason! Access for all is
not just about getting in and about -
it's about getting out!
THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, AUGUST 16, 2018. PAGE 7.
EnergyShiel
Continuous Wall Insu/ati
Way out
While much of accessibility has focused on ways for those
of all abilities to access all of the buildings and facilities in
their community, Blyth's Julie Sawchuk urges contractors
and architects to dedicate just as much thought to
emergency exits and a plan for those of all abilities. With
her new house now fully under construction, Sawchuk is
seen here during the building process. (Photo submitted)
THANK Y '.0
A community is more than the borders that define us. A community is what happens when we all come
together to support each other, our neighbours, our families and our loved ones. A community is all of you.
We want to thank our community for your support of our foundation, Tanner Steffler Foundation, and our
inaugural music festival, Six -String Music Fest & Six -String Summerfest. Your support on July 21st helped
us raise $60,000.00 to fund the mental health and addiction initiatives we are implementing for the youth
of Huron County.
The money you helped fundraise will allow us to work towards extending our Mental Health
& Wellness Coach position that is currently shared between both school boards (Avon
Maitland District School. Board, and the Huron Perth Catholic District School Board) at the
two Clinton High Schools. It is our goal that by the end of the 2018-2019 school year our
funding will allow this position to be offered to all five of the high schools in Huron County.
It will also help us offer further mental health and addiction resources and workshops to the
leaders and familites in our community, such as SafeTalk this September and Ride the
Wave as part of a fully engaged Mental Health Awareness Week in May.
1 X And finally, your support is allowing us to work towards our long term goal of building
' and sustaining an evidence -based Youth Addiction Treatment & Mental
STRINGHealth Resource and Wellness Facility in Huron County. We couldn't do it
without you. Thank You.
SAVE THE DATE: JULY 20. 2019
For more information, please contact:
TANNER STEFFLER FOUNDATION
(519) 670-1940
admin®tan nerstefflerfoundation.com
www.tannerstefflerfoundation.com
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