Tech-News & Views

JANUARY 2015

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Vancouver, British Columbia - Here’s wishing everyone a Joyous, Healthy, and Safe New Year!

HMCS TORONTO CREW - HEROS ALL!

Halifax, Nova Scotia, January 18, 2015 - HMCS Toronto returned from a six month deployment in the Black Sea today.  The voyage was not uneventful, apparently.  Being circled and buzzed by military jets is fairly standard fare, but it’s what happened during a routine shore-leave in November that captured our attention.  Apparently six crew-members were having lunch at a restaurant in Antalya, Turkey when they detected the smell of smoke and spotted flames coming from a nearby apartment building.  They quickly sprang into action and helped evacuate the residents then joined with the local fire brigade to help battle the blaze.  I can’t think of any time I’ve been more proud to call myself Canadian.  You can read more about this on CBC’s website.  Bravo guys!

DELTA FIRE & RESCUE SERVICES CAPTAIN MARK JANSON FATALLY INJURED IN LANGLEY TRAFFIC ACCIDENT

Langley, British Columbia - We are saddened and shocked at the news that Delta Fire Captain Mark Janson was fatally injured when he was struck by a motor vehicle on Thursday, January 15th.  We wish to express our deepest sympathies and condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.  The City of Delta’s Fire Chief, Dan Copeland’s tribute to Mark can be viewed on Delta’s website.

Captain Janson’s life will be celebrated on January 28, 2015 at 10:00 am at South Delta Baptist Church, 1988 - 56th Street, Delta, followed by a Wake at Harris Barn, 4140 Arthur Drive, in Delta.

TEXAS SENIOR-LIVING HIGH-RISE APARTMENT FIRE KILLS FIVE!

Caste Hills, Texas, December 29, 2014 - A fire has killed five residents of a senior-living apartment near San Antonio, Texas.  Over a dozen people remain hospitalized as of Monday.  The eleven storey apartment complex, home to about 350 residents, had no sprinkler system.  It was constructed in 1965 at which time sprinklers weren’t required.  The building had been grandfathered and had no prior history of fires, which allowed it to continue operation.  The fire, which started at 6:00 am on the third floor of the building, was successfully extinguished through the efforts of over 150 firefighters from San Antonio and six other departments.  The investigation into the cause continues.

A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE!  WE HONOUR DAVID GOODYEAR!

Owen Sound, Ontario - I came across an interesting item on the Internet (sometimes that “I’m feeling lucky” button on the Google search page returns something truly extraordinary). 

Dave Goodyear participates in a number of ULC Committees and Working Groups.  I’m actually honoured to be a part of the Working Group for CAN/ULC-S524 (Standard for Installation of Fire Alarm Systems), which Dave happens to Chair.  Dave is credited with inventing the supervised fire alarm circuit.  Here’s the link to the Patent.  I can’t think of an invention that has had a more positive and profound impact on our industry than the ability to supervise the wiring of a Life Safety System.  Dave, your contribution deserves this special mention, and our community’s thanks.  It comes as no surprise to me that you were chosen to be honoured as a “Legend” in the fortieth anniversary celebration edition of the CFAA Journal!

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