The Moose Jaw Fire Department’s public education officer was a busy woman during this year’s second quarter, as she spoke to over 3,000 people during nearly 60 events.
From April 1 to June 30, Cathie Bassett chatted with 3,326 people during 58 safety education activities or public events. In particular, she conducted 39 fire safety school program presentations, one school assembly/pre-school/daycare talk, one fire stop interview, six public relations events and 11 station tours.
In comparison, during Q2 2022, she gave 32 public education presentations to 1,377 people and in Q2 2021, she spoke to 42 people during two programs.
During this past Q2, Bassett also completed the 2022-23 fire safety school program, which saw her reach 1,714 kindergarten to Grade 3 students and 78 teachers over 71 presentations during that school year. Furthermore, she sent home fire safety education letters and escape planning instructions that families could review.
Information about Bassett’s activities — and those of the fire department — during this year’s second quarter was presented during the Aug. 28 regular council meeting. Council later voted to receive and file the report, which looked at the activities of all city hall departments during Q2.
The fire department responded to 214 incidents in the second quarter — including 18 in rural areas — as compared to 227 calls in Q2 2022 and 177 incidents in Q2 2021, the council report said.
Of the incidents the fire department responded to from April to June:
- 51 were false alarms
- 30 were fires
- 13 were cooking incidents
- 31 were for first responder EMS responses
- Two were to assist EMS with lifting people
- Two were for hazardous materials episodes
- 27 were for motor vehicle collisions
- Five were for carbon monoxide/other
- Six were electrical issues
- Three were rescues
- 44 were general service calls
The department saved $35,642,400 worth of valuables from fires during the quarter, while flames destroyed $447,500 in valuables, for a total affected value of $36,089,900.
In comparison, in 2022, those numbers were $733,703, $1,272,198 and $2,005,901, respectively, and in 2021, they were $1,482,850, $2,221,650 and $3,704,500.
Meanwhile, data about inspections during Q2 2023, 2022 and 2021 showed:
- Inspections/consultations: 508 / 627 / 64
- In-company inspections: 153 / 136 / 0
- Licensed home/facility inspections: 6 / 18 / 3
- Complaints: 3 / 2 / 6
- File search: 0 / 2 / 1
- Fire drills: 2 / 0 / 0
- Fire investigations: 0 / 2 / 4
- Building plan reviews: 11 / 7 / 9
- Fire extinguisher training: 0 / 0 / 0
- Total: 683 / 794 / 87
The next regular council meeting is Monday, Sept. 11.
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