Fire Safety:
Fire Safety is an ongoing concern for the cottagers of Go Home Lake. The following Fire Safety Plan was developed by the Go Home Lake Cottage Owner’s Association in response to this concern. All cottagers are encouraged to review and act on this plan so that they will be prepared should the need arise to respond to a fire emergency.
Locations of Fire Pumps:
Presently there are 10 portable fire pumps on the lake. See the map above for the location of each of these pumps.
Know the location of your nearest Fire Pump. If possible have more than one pump at the fire scene.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
1. Post the Fire Pump Maps and contact telephone numbers
· Initiate a telephone chain to get local fire pumps and volunteers to your site
· Call 911 (note: the 911 dispatcher will not release the phone line to allow you to make other local calls) Have a cell phone available!
· Have your municipal number (i.e. 1234 Go Home Lake Shore) listed on your
telephone and at your dock.
· Tell the dispatcher that your property is a water access location
2. Obtain a Fire Permit
· For any fire, other than for cooking or warmth, a Fire Permit is required from the Township of Georgian Bay (available from Township Office, Fire Hall or on-line at no charge)- follow the guidelines.
· Check the fire rating sign at the pump on GHL Road / Muskoka 32
3. Use proper fire extinguishers:
· Have a garden hose hooked up at all times
· Portable fire extinguishers have limited value against outdoor fires
· Mount a dry chemical fire extinguisher in the kitchen. Know when and how to operate your extinguisher, read the label carefully for directions.
4. Learn how to operate the Go Home Lake fire pumps
· Attend the annual fire pump demonstration at Regatta Beach
· Ask a cottager listed on the fire pump location map for a demonstration and practice operating the pump yourself
5. Install smoke alarms as required by the Ontario Fire Code
· Place smoke alarms at the top of stairways or in hallways leading to bedrooms
· Test your smoke alarms regularly and replace batteries each spring or as recommended by the manufacturer
6. Kitchen fires
· For a grease fire on the stove, turn off the stove, smother flames with a pot lid or wet towel. NEVER throw water or use flour on a grease fire
· In case of an oven fire, close the oven door, and turn off the oven
7. Have an escape plan and practice it
· Draw a floor plan of your cottage showing all possible exits from each room
· Plan a main escape route and an alternative escape route from each room
8. Be proactive
· Remove all dry leaves and pine needles from under and around your cottage
· Place your BQ away from all combustible materials
Township of Georgian Bay
Open Air Burning Regulations
• Open air burning in compliance with current forest fire hazard rating as posted.
• No burning between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. daytime.
• Maximum fire area 2 meters in diameter - 2 meters in height.
• A clearance of 20 meters from any structure.
• Fire control tools and water must be available.
• A competent person must be present to supervise.
• No burning when strong winds are present.
• Extinguish the fire before leaving.
• Use an enclosed incinerator with spark screen where available.
• Commercial and land clearing require M.N.R. day Burn Permit.
• You could be assessed for fire fighting cost of an OUT OF CONTROL OPEN AIR FIRE.
More information is available on line at www.gravenhurstfire.com/GeorgianBay.htm or call the Township of Georgian bay at 705 538-2337 Ext 224 or 1-800-567-0187
All of the fire stations have been checked and are ready for use. The contents of each box have been numbered and the equipment has been checked by the Georgian Bay Fire department staff. Any faulty hoses have been replaced and all equipment is compatible so that all the hoses and fittings can be used with any of the pumps. All the boxes contain paperwork indicating where the pumps are located on the lake along with telephone numbers for the cottage owners, who are housing the stations on their docks. Also included are instructions on how to operate the pumps. The pump location maps and telephone information are published on the back of the GHL Directory for quick reference and this same information was delivered late in the 2008 summer to every cottager in laminated form for posting in the cottage.
In the event of a fire, be sure to make contact with a neighbour or another cottager on the lake so a phone chain can be initiated to get help locally for fighting the fire with our fire equipment. Once you call 911, your telephone line will be blocked by the dispatcher while she is accessing the Georgian Bay Fire Department. Another line or a cell phone is needed! When calling 911 you will need your municipal address number (eg. 4444 Go Home Lake Shore) and be sure to tell her that it is a water access property! Keep this number posted near your phone and on your shoreline.
If you are involved with a fire, please notify the Fire Committee at 756-2879, so that the equipment used can be checked once again and placed in the correct boxes ready for use in another emergency.
CONCERNS WITH CAMPERS’ FIRES
If you have concerns about fire activities at camp sites, you have the option of calling 911 for immediate action for more serious conditions or calling the Ministry of Natural Resources’ tips line at 1-877-TIPS-MNR.
This line can also be used for poaching activity, crown land abuse, etc. Get as much information as possible such as boat license numbers, descriptions of individuals, location of activity, time and date, and photographs if possible. A report will be generated and forwarded immediately to a supervisor. The dispatcher will contact the CO for the area as well.
