date posted: 2002-02-01
This month, I am writing my column as Council Liaison to Richmond Hill's senior citizens. Ward 2 has the highest concentration of seniors residences and buildings in our Town and I am very proud to be the Council's representative to our seniors.
Recently, there were two serious incidents involving fires and senior citizens, one of which resulted in a loss of life. Upon learning of the second fire in only a couple of weeks, I approached Richmond Hill Fire Chief Robert Kennedy and suggested that an awareness campaign be organized which would target these special members of our community. Chief Kennedy advised me that statistics show that adults over the age of 65 are at the greatest risk of dying in a fire. Our fire department is about to become more aggressive when it comes to educating seniors about fire safety following the two recent apartment fires.
Richmond Hill's fire department will be conducting its "Older and Wiser" educational seminars in the near future in each of the seniors buildings in Town. Watch for notices in those buildings advising of dates and locations. The Chief and I agree that this program is of sufficient importance that the department will deliver the program in each building and if we still have a low turnout the fire department staff will consider going door to door in these buildings.
If anyone would like to learn more about these or other fire educational programs, please call the Fire Prevention Division at 905-763-8778.