The Home Fire Safety Program (HFSP) started in May of 1999 and is conducted annually from the first of May to the end of August. All firefighters participate four nights a week, from the hours of 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Firefighters have visited 5,629 houses since 1999. Information packages were handed out which contain pamphlets on smoke alarms, carbon monoxide, electrical fire hazards, and the Older & Wiser Fire Safety Tips. The HFSP meets the Ontario Fire Code requirements regarding early warning detection systems for residents in Stratford.

Over the last seven years, the Stratford Fire Department has installed 175 smoke alarms and replaced 243 batteries in the homes of our citizens.

•   3,380 houses have been checked for smoke alarms.
•   87% of these homes had working smoke alarms
•   12% of the homes in the City had no smoke alarms or were not working.

In the past year alone, information packages were distributed to 737 houses. Working smoke alarms were checked in 449 places of which 425 houses had working smoke alarms. There were 17 residents that did not have a working smoke alarm. The number of buildings that maintained their smoke alarms totaled 286 and 169 had a fire escape plan. The number of homes with carbon monoxide detectors was 222.

Firefighters installed 14 smoke alarms and 22 batteries. Nine of these homes had no smoke alarms at all. Under the Ontario Fire Code, every home in Ontario is required by law to have a working smoke alarm installed to protect each sleeping area. The policy of our Department is we do not leave a house without a working smoke alarm.

Public education is the number one priority in regards to fire and life safety for the citizens of Stratford. The Fire Prevention and Training Division participated in a number of functions throughout the year. These included, the 'Appreciation Night for Emergency Personnel and their Vehicles', 'Racing Against Drugs Education Forum', mall displays, 'Chief for the Day' and our 'Ride to School' days for elementary school students.

Public education programs included a 'Career Day' at Northwestern School and the 'Municipal Government Day' at the City Hall along with safety lectures at local schools, service clubs and different groups in Stratford. Portable fire extinguisher demonstrations/training and Fire Safety Plan reviews were provided for industries.

The Fire Safety House was used as an educational tool at local schools and public events, providing information on preventing fires in the home and the importance of establishing a home fire safety program, including working smoke detectors.