HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2005-10-12, Page 12Page 12 October 12, 2005 • The Huron Expositor
News
SPS joins Ontario schools in attempt
to set Guinness record for largest fire drill
Jeff H e u c h e r t
MUM
Ontario schools, including
Seaforth Public School, will look to
set a Guinness world record today,
when they participate in a province -
wide fire drill.
The drill, which will take place at
10 a.m., is part of Fire Prevention
Week.
Executive Director for the Fire
Marshal's Public Fire Safety
Council Art Pullan came up with
the idea.
He says they want to create more
fire safety awareness, and shine a
light on fire services and schools,
and the things they do on a daily
basis.
School is the best way to reach,
and teach children, says Pullan.
Schools have given the idea over-
whelming support, and Pullan
expects the same from students.
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"Teacher just love it, everyone
wants to be part of a significant
event," he says.
Seaforth Public School will partici-
pate in the event, according to vice-
principal Kerry Carlyle.
She says safety is a critical thing,
and this is a great opportunity for
kids.
"Everyone takes responsibility, so
safety keeps fresh in their minds,"
she says.
Principal at Huron Centennial
Public School in Brucefield Deb Gill,
whose almost 500 students will par-
ticipate as well, says statistics show
when children practise fire safety,
lives are saved.
"This (drill) is a good way for fire
chiefs in Ontario to draw attention
to the fact that educating children
in schools can help," she says.
Pullan hopes close to 50 per cent
of Ontario schools will participate.
That would be around 500,000
students across Ontario standing
outside at the same time.
Following the drill, every school
that participated is to register with
the Fire Safety Council.
With those numbers the council
will contact Guinness to see if they
have set a record.
The real message though, is
emphasizing safety to kids, says
Pullan.
Although Carlyle acknowledges
having a world record would be
exciting, she says, "Even if we don't
make it, the message is out there."
As part of Fire Prevention week
schools will also be reading fire
safety messages to students in the
morning announcements.
Huron East agrees to
$48,000 arena furnace
Jeff H e u c h e r t
Huron East council has agreed to
spend $48,000 on a new furnace for
the Seaforth District Community
Centre.
They made the deci-
sion Oct. 4, during
their council meeting.
A new furnace has
been discussed at
cquncil over the past 5
years, and recently
had become a hot
nate room, with a separate air condi-
tioner on the roof.
The city has spent money over the
past few years servicing the current
unit, which was installed 25 years
ago, for only $12,000.
Coun. Larry McGrath
said the unit was put in
at the time to be cost
efficient.
"They were just trying
to save a buck," he told
councillors.
McGrath added dur-
`How much do
you spend
before you bite
the bullet?' --
topic. Tuckersmith Coun. ing a phone interview
With funds for the Larry McGrath that there was no point
arena already in short ' in continuing to spend
supply, councilors were money fixing an old unit.
questioning whether they should "How much do you spend before
you bite the bullet?" McGrath asked.
spend more money for a commercial
size unit, or replace it, with a similar The new unit will be a zoned unit,
which means it has the capability to
heat a specific room, or just the
upstairs hall.
The contractor is asking the munic-
ipality to supply 50 per cent of the
cost up front.
McGrath says they have no prob-
lem doing so, but will ask for a com-
pletion date in return.
This will be discussed at the arena
board meeting next Thursday.
size one.
The town enlisted three companies
to estimate prices. Council decided
on Montgomery's Comfort Centre
Ltd. to install the furnace.
The new unit will be a commercial
size, meaning it will supply hot and
cool air all from one self contained
unit on the roof.
Currently the arena has only a res-
idential furnace, which is in a fur-