Central York Fire Services (CYFS) is gearing up for a significant milestone this summer as they prepare to make their 100,000th house call. This achievement comes as the department celebrates its tenth year of the Stay Fire Smart campaign, which runs until August 23.
Throughout the summer, CYFS fire crews will visit neighborhoods in Newmarket and Aurora, emphasizing the importance of having and practicing a home escape plan.
They’ll also remind residents that it’s the law to have working smoke alarms on every storey and carbon monoxide alarms outside all sleeping areas in a home.
“Knowing how to prevent a fire and what to do in an emergency can save lives,” says CYFS Fire Prevention Officer Ryan Schell. “The Stay Fire Smart campaign has helped the community, leading to 100,000 house calls over 10 years, which means 100,000 direct conversations with our residents on steps to improve fire safety.
CYFS fire crews, along with four dedicated Smoke Alarm Campaign Specialists, will travel door-to-door to engage with residents, offering guidance on emergency preparedness for fires and floods. Additionally, residents will have the option to request a free home inspection.
Smoke Alarm Campaign Specialists will check batteries, replace alarms, answer questions, and provide assistance. Their proactive approach aims to enhance safety awareness and reduce fire-related risks.
Beyond home visits, the Smoke Alarm Campaign Specialists will participate in community events in Aurora and Newmarket. The CYFS Fire Safety Trailer, equipped for home escape planning, kitchen safety, and extreme weather preparedness, will be on display at the Newmarket Moonlight Movies presented by TD.
The Stay Fire Smart Campaign began in the summer of 2013 with the ambitious goal of visiting every home in Newmarket and Aurora over a five-year period. To date, CYFS has made over 88,600 public education house calls across both communities, reaching every household at least once. In 2023 alone, they touched a record number of 15,351 homes. Over the summer, CYFS expects to reach the remarkable milestone of 100,000 homes.
For more information on Central York Fire Services, visit cyfs.ca.
