A Warm Welcome to the Cornwall & District Fire Department

NEXT TIME YOU'RE BEHIND A VEHICLE WITH A VOLUNTEER FIRE FIGHTER LICENSE PLATE, CONSIDER WHAT THAT MEANS: COUNTLESS HOURS OF FIRE FIGHTING TRAINING AND MEDICAL FIRST RESPONDER TRAINING ... EVERY YEAR! SO WHEN THAT TEXT OR PAGE COMES AT ANY GIVEN TIME ON ANY GIVEN DAY AND FOR ANY GIVEN REASON – THEY'RE PREPARED TO COME TO OUR RESCUE. PLEASE SUPPORT THE VOLUNTEER FIRE FIGHTERS ALL ALONG THE SOUTH SHORE ...AND THE WORK THEY DO BUILDING OUR COMMUNITY.

Latest News!

Posted: 24 February 2020

Annual Ratepayers Meeting

Tuesday, May 5, 2020 7:30 p.m.

Posted: 02 February 2020

Heating with Gas or Oil

Annual Maintenance is Key. Furnaces require regular maintenance by a qualified technician. The National Fire Code of Canada (NFC) states that heating systems, including appliances, shall be operated and maintained so as not to create a hazardous condition. This means "as per the manufacturer’s instructions" and includes annual inspections of both the appliance and the chimney/venting system. For more information on Heating with Gas or Oil please click here

Posted: 28 January 2020

Local Fire Official Warns of TikTok Challenge

Fire prevention division chief, Matt Covey, says blackened sockets in an HRM school have been traced back to the dangerous game. It's called the TikTok challenge or #OutletChallenge, and it appears it has made its way here to Halifax Regional Municipality Fire prevention division chief with Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency, Matt Covey, explains what's involved. "It originated on an app site, TikTok, and it's a challenge to put your cell phone charger into an outlet, and leave a space so you can drop a penny in between the two connectors and generate a bunch of sparks, then take a video and share it," he tells NEWS 95.7's The Sheldon MacLeod Show. For more on this story from the following sources: Halifax Today CBC News

Posted: 22 January 2020

Risk of Serious Injury With Feet On Dashboard

Car accident victims who had their feet on the dashboard have suffered serious facial injuries. Airbags deploy at close to 200 mph – roughly the speed of a Formula One race car. The force of airbags themselves has been shown to cause eye injuries. In 2015, a woman in the US was involved in a crash and her airbag deployed while her legs were crossed and her foot was on the dashboard. Her foot broke her nose, and her ankle, femur and arm were also broken. A woman in Ireland had to have her forehead reconstructed after a similar incident in 2006. TV show MythBusters tested the scenario using synthetic human cadavers and concluded that placing your feet on or against a car's dashboard could lead to extensive injuries and broken bones in a collision.

Posted: 20 January 2020

Fire Safety During Winter Storms

During the winter season local fire departments can experience extreme conditions and significant snow fall – both of which can contribute to increased hazards in your home. To help keep you and your family safe during winter storms consider the fire safety tips listed here.

Posted: 18 December 2019

EHS "Blue Tape" Initiative

For those of you who are not aware of this for emergency scenes, if you see EHS Blue Tape and were curious about it's meaning. In 2018 EHS Operations introduced an initiative where EHS members would cover an abandoned vehicle with reflective blue tape to indicate they have already been to the scene and have issued an "ALL CLEAR" so there would be no reason to call 9-1-1 for the vehicle which would help eliminate unnecessary trips to scenes that have already been tended to. However, should you see no sign of the reflective blue tape on an abandoned vehicle we would like to ask you to please call 9-1-1 and render assistance if possible. Thank you very much for your assistance. For more on this story, please click here.

Posted: 31 October 2019

Safe Disposal of Ashes

Most wood burning appliances do not burn wood completely – small pieces of embers and charcoal are left, and, unless disposed of properly, pose a significant fire hazard. Ashes should be stored in a covered metal container placed outside and away from your home and any other combustibles. The only time ashes are safe is when they are completely extinguished. For more on this story, please click here.

Posted: 18 October 2019

Chimney Maintenance

Chimneys should be cleaned and inspected at least once a year. Heating equipment and venting systems should be cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified person. This is important even if you haven't even used your appliance since the venting system was last cleaned and inspected. For more information on Chimney Maintenance, please click here.

Posted: 18 October 2019

Wood/Pellet Stove, Fireplace Maintenance

Fuel burning heating appliances should be inspected each year before use. Before use, all fuel burning heating equipment, including solid fuel burning appliances, should be inspected each year. If you do not feel comfortable doing your own inspection, cleaning and maintenance a certified professional can help. For more information on Wood/Pellet Stove, Fireplace Maintenance please click here

Posted: 14 October 2019

Winter Brush Burning

Winter Burning takes place from October 15 – March 15. Please check with your local Fire Department before burning; some municipalities require a burning permit year round. For further information on Winter Brush Burning, please: click here

Posted: 05 June 2019

Fire Department Asks Drivers To Slow Down After Close Call

The Sable River Volunteer Fire Department is asking drivers to slow down around accident scenes after a recent close call. The incident happened the night of May 28 after a tractor trailer containing hazardous material rolled over off the 103. For more on this article, please click here.

Posted: 13 May 2019

Nova Scotians Reminded to be Tick-aware

Nova Scotians are encouraged to enjoy the outdoors safely by learning to avoid the blacklegged tick bites that can cause Lyme disease. For more information please visit: novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20170518005

Posted: 24 April 2019

Chris Brothers Presentation

For those of you who haven't heard, Cornwall & District Fire Department was the winner of the Chris Brothers AED Giveaway. During "Heart Month" Bonnie Yates of our Auxiliary entered the "Chris Cares AED Giveaway". Because of her thoughtfulness and initiative we were selected to be this year's recipients of the AED and Training. Representatives of the department were given the life-saving device by Chris Brothers/Bonté Foods representatives during an afternoon presentation on Tuesday, April 23 at 3:00 p.m. at the Cornwall & District Firehouse, 2588 Cornwall Rd., Mahone Bay, NS. The AED is a Fully Automated Public Use Lifepack CR Plus and comes with a wall mount and extra Adult, and Child pads.

The training included CPR/AED Level C. This is a fantastic opportunity that we have been gifted with and it would be a great time for anyone in our Auxiliary, Fire Department, and Community to be made aware that this AED will be placed in the upstairs of our Fire Station and training will be provided at a later date for anyone interested. While the Cornwall & District Fire

Department Auxiliary tirelessly works to provide its firefighters with the tools and equipment they need, budget provisions can sometimes prove constraining. It is Bonté's hope the AED will better equip the Cornwall & District with a potentially life-saving device for the community.

Posted: 24 April 2019

Firefighters Are Warning To Never Leave Bottled Water in Your Car

A battery technician with the Idaho Power Company was on lunch break when he noticed smoke coming from beneath the center console of his truck. The culprit, he was surprised to learn, was a bottle of water. "I looked over and noticed light was being refracted through a water bottle and starting to catch the seat on fire," said Dioni Amuchastegui in a video shared on the company's Facebook page on July 13. The evidence shows how dangerous leaving a plastic bottle in one's car on a sunny day can be: two burn marks were left on the seat of Dioni's vehicle. Firefighters are warning drivers about the hazard, too. In a test conducted by Oklahoma's Midwest City Fire Department, sunlight magnified by a water bottle reached 250 degrees, news channel KFOR reports. "The sunlight will come through, when it's filled with liquid, and act as a magnifying glass as you would with regular optics," said MCFD's David Richardson.

Posted: 21 April 2019

Here's What I'm Thinking: Credit Where Credit's Due – Peter Simpson

A Word on Our Emergency First Responders Rescue vehicles like this one at the Dayspring and District Fire Department transport medical first responders (MFRs), along with fully equipped medical bags, automated external defibrillators (AEDs), oxygen masks, backboards and other essential items, to medical emergencies and motor vehicle collisions. Often the MFRs arrive on scene ahead of EHS paramedics. I believe it's time I weighed in on the paramedic situation in the province, from my perspective as a volunteer firefighter and advanced medical first responder (MFR). For more on this article please click here.

Posted: 11 April 2019

The Red Cookbook ~ "Back By Popular Demand!"

Yes..... the Red Cookbook is back!! Originally published by the CDFD Auxiliary in 1997 as a fund raising project, this book is an exact reprint of the original (except for making a correction of two). Once again, all proceeds go towards the CDFD Auxiliary and, ultimately, the work and service of the CDFD. This book will allow another generation of cooks to enjoy the favorite recipes contributed by the Cornwall communities in 1997. Furthermore, this book serves as one of Cornwall's only souvenirs!! At $12.00 a book, this is a wonderful addition to any kitchen (and they make great gifts)! They can be purchased by contacting any Auxiliary member. Some members are listed here. Thank You So Much For Your Ongoing Support!!!

Posted: 11 March 2019

Spring Road Weight Restrictions to Begin

Spring weight restrictions on all provincial roads will begin on March 11, starting at 12:01 a.m. Restrictions begin at that time for Halifax Regional Municipality and the following counties, Annapolis, Colchester, Cumberland, Digby, Hants, Kings, Lunenburg, Pictou, Queens, Shelburne and Yarmouth. For more information on the weight restrictions, please click here.

Posted: 14 February 2019

Why Nova Scotia Firefighters Always Carry Plush Toys

Nestled in the back of most Nova Scotia fire trucks, in among the breathing equipment and first-aid kits, sit smiling teddy bears and plush fire dogs. When an emergency call comes in, and the fire engines roll out, firefighters make sure they have stuffed animals with them. "Every apparatus carries about two or three of the stuffed animals on our trucks", said Joel Campbell, acting captain with Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency. For more on this story, please click here.

Posted: 12 February 2019

Nova Scotia Move Over Law

Please obey this law and insure our safe return home to our families. The province of Nova Scotia in a recent amendment to the Motor Vehicle Act has added tow trucks to the list of vehicles you must slow down and move over for when they along the side of the road with lights flashing, rendering assistance. Here is the list type of vehicles the slow down move over law applies to: (With emergency lights flashing when rendering roadside assistance on highways in Nova Scotia)

–	Ambulance
–	Police Vehicle
–	Fire Department
–	Chief or Deputy Chief of a Volunteer Fire Department when acting in an emergency arising from a fire or an accident.
–	Correctional Services
–	Department of Natural Resources – Conservation Officers – Wild Fire Crew
–	Deputy Sheriffs
–	Motor Vehicle Inspection Officer
–	Motor Carrier Inspector Officer
–	Public-Safety Vehicle
–	Tow Trucks

Posted: 12 November 2018

MODL Calling for Volunteer Firefighters

Imagine the unimaginable. You discover a fire has started in the kitchen of the home you share with your spouse and children. Before you have time to gather your thoughts, the fire spreads quickly up the walls. You call 911. For more information, please click the link below: MODL Calling for Volunteer Firefighters

Posted: 07 March 2018

Check Your Smoke Detectors

We as Firefighters would like to remind our residents to check your smoke detectors and all your safety devices in your home this weekend. If your device is 10 years old, it needs to be replaced. Replace your batteries in both your smoke and CO alarms for the safety of your home and especially your family.

Posted: 04 November 2017

Kidde Fire Extinguisher Recall

2.7 Million Canadian portable extinguishers recalled by Kidde. For more information, please click the links below: CBC News Government of Canada

Posted: 15 June 2017

Is Your Home Fire Smart

Every year many families lose their homes and possessions to the ravages of wildfire. Just 10 m of defensible space may save your Home! Please visit the site below for ways to ensure your house if fire smart: novascotia.ca/natr/forestprotection/wildfire/firecentre/fire-smart.asp

Schedule of Events

The 2020 calendar of events will be posted soon. is now available. Please click here to view...

Post Your Civic Number

On September 1^st 2013, Municipal Council's Civic Address Bylaw came into effect, making it mandatory to post civic numbers and private road signs.

Without a civic number sign clearly visible, emergency response to yourself and your loved ones could be delayed. Emergency responders rely on a clearly visible posted civic number to find you more effectively and efficiently when you need help.

Typically, a number is assigned upon new construction. When the Building Official arrives for the first inspection (footing/foundation), they will assign a number and map (by GPS) the location of your building and this information gets sent to the Civic Addressing Coordinator to confirm and update the civic address system.

Renovation and addition projects will also require that you post your civic number, else the Building Official may not be able to issue a final occupancy permit.

How to install a civic number sign?

–	The sign should have a blue background with horizontal white numbering, using reflective materials.
–	Be posted no further than 1 metre from the driveway and no further than 3 metres from the road's edge.
–	The sign height shall be no less than 1 metre above the travelled road surface.

If a civic sign is not posted property, owners could face a fine of $227.41, and/or the municipality could arrange to post the civic number and place a lien on your property.

Existing civic number signs, prior to September 1^st, that do not meet the bylaw requirements, will be allowed to remain as long as they are visible. Replacement of such signs will be required to meet the bylaw standards.

Do you live on a private road?

If you live on a private road, it is required to have a road name sign posted to ensure fast emergency response service.

If you are unsure of your civic number, would like to name your private road, are unsure if your road is listed; or have any other questions regarding civic addressing in the municipality, please contact the municipal office at 902.541.1325.

For all the information, please download the following:

MODL Civic Numbers Brochure

MODL Posting Road Sign Fact Sheet

If you don't have a civic sign, or require a new one, your local fire department can provide one for you for only $19.00. Simply contact us and we'll do the rest.

Thank You for Your Ongoing Support!

The Cornwall & District Fire Department has 35 trained volunteer Fire fighters who serve the communities of Cornwall and Newburne. We are always pleased to accept applications for new members – fire fighting experience is not a necessity – we will supply training.

10 members are certified Advanced Medical First Responders, and we encourage applications from residents with medical backgrounds – although not a necessity – we will supply training.

Members attend a monthly meeting on the 1^st Monday of each month and a practice on the 3^rd Monday of each month. Training consists of: in-house, mutual aid with other local Fire Departments, Nova Scotia Fire Fighters School and EHS facilitators.

Become a Fire Fighter and/or Medical First Responder

The department welcomes applications from all residents that would like to join our team of dedicated volunteers. Please visit our recruitment page for more details and to apply, or contact us at any time for more details.

Never been a fire fighter? No problem, because we'll supply the training to make you a great member! Are you interested in becoming a Medical First Responder and have no medical background? We'll supply that training as well!

Auxiliary

The auxiliary has 13 members that meet several times a year and always welcome new members. Their role is to raise funds for required equipment and provide valued support to our communities through the Department they serve.

Support the Cornwall & District Fire Department

You can help support the Fire Department in various ways:

–	through membership
–	by offering to help during fundraisers
–	by Attending Fundrasing Events
–	by donating non-perishable food items for the Garden Party's "Country Store Wheel" (please pay close attention to expiry dates)
–	by donating hand-made baked goods for our Bake Sale
–	by donating items to the Flea Market (please NO clothing)
–	by making charitable cash donations *
–	by naming the Fire Department as a charity for memorial donations *

* We are a registered charity and issue Official Tax Receipts as appropriate.

Please Note: During emergencies such as lengthy POWER OUTAGES, etc, the fire hall can be made available to residents of this fire district by contacting your Chief or Deputy.