Sometimes discretion is definitely the better part of valour.
As we struggle with air quality under the latest surge in wildfire smoke, there is something you can do to help make things a little easier for our emergency responders, and that’s put down the phone.
Let me explain.
Wildfires in Northern Ontario are causing evacuations and generating a huge amount of wildfire smoke that is drifting to the south and making our air quality poor. You have definitely seen it and probably smelled it as well.
Well-intentioned people have been flooding local fire departments with 911 calls thinking it’s a local fire. It’s not. It is causing some concern though because it’s tying up resources both in terms of call centre activity and initial responses.
On behalf of local fire departments and the Chiefs and Deputy Chiefs I speak with so often, let me offer the following message (if I may be so bold to speak on their behalf).
YOU are one of the greatest resources we have in terms of spotting fires and cutting down response times by calling in when you see them. Those precious seconds ABSOLUTELY save lives. Now, you are being asked to show restraint and some discretion.
If you see an actual fire or smoke coming directly from a home or vehicle, still call in. If you don’t see the source, please remember what’s going on right now and put the phone down.
Your assistance in this matter is every bit as important as it is in an actual emergency. We are all struggling in the heat and poor air quality. With your help, we can ensure that any local emergencies that do happen are dealt with quickly and efficiently.
I’m Paul Martin and that’s what I see looking Beyond the Headlines.
