Citizens - Public Safety

Police | Fire Safety | Civil Protection

Fire Safety

Fire Safety Cover Plan

The Fire Safety Cover Plan was developed by the MRC des Laurentides with the aim of improving services to citizens while making the best use of resources.

The major objectives of this plan are:

• Setting up preventive measures;
• Structuring fire safety departments;
• Private automatic fire prevention systems;
• Maximizing available resources across the region;
• Coordination with other organizations involved in public safety.

For further information, please see www.mrclaurentides.qc.ca

Fire Safety personnel

The Fire Safety Department is made up of some twenty volunteer firemen.  It may call on the services of similar departments in neighbouring towns or villages and respond to calls for assistance from its counterparts as well.

High Places Emergency Response Team

Val-David’s High Places Emergency Response Team is made up of four of our volunteer firemen who have been trained to rescue people in emergency situations in high places.  This may involve rescuing someone from a rock-climbing site, or an individual who may be in a precarious situation on an elevated site.

Three of the members of this team have from fifteen to twenty years of experience.  The other firemen, who have received basic training, act as a support team.  They look after equipment, set up guardrails at the top of the rock wall, if required, and act as belayers for the climbing team.

This type of operation requires specialized equipment and the fact that our team has the necessary equipment is thanks to the generous support of our sponsors.  Thanks to Marché Métro Dufresne and Pelouse unique both of which have contributed to the purchase of climbing equipment.  Thanks to L’Équipeur, Sherpa, Sirius, Eureka and Ambler for supplying equipment or clothing which they either produce or distribute.  For some years now, the team has also been able to count on the excellent support of Mountain Equipment Co-op for the supply or renewal of much of this equipment.

By-law relating to fire detection devices
(Règlement numéro 582 relatif aux appareils de détection incendie)

Since the by-law relating to fire detection devices has come into force, smoke alarms, in conformity with ULC standards, must be installed and be in a functioning state on each level, in each residence and lodging, and in every room in which someone sleeps which is not part of a lodging.

Where a parking garage is attached to a residence or lodging, a carbon monoxide alarm, endorsed by ULC/CSA, must be installed within the residence or lodging.  Installation of this type of alarm is also required whenever combustion devices are installed in a residence, lodging or room where some sleeps.

Proprietors are the first ones responsible for respecting the prescribed regulations, whilst tenants are responsible for taking any measures required to ensure proper functioning of these devices.  For battery-operated alarms, it is recommended that these be replaced twice a year.  In order to avoid forgetting, it is recommended that batteries be changed when going on and off summer time.  As of July 1, 2007, in all new constructions, alarms must be plugged into the electricity supply provided by Hydro-Québec and be permanently maintained in this way.

Special regulations are in place for installations in different types of lodgings or buildings.  Due to their large surface area or the number of people that the building can contain, the fire alarm network of certain buildings must be installed by a skilled professional and be linked to an independent monitoring centre.

The choice of alarm

Detectors using ionization are the most common.  It’s the right type to put near bedrooms thanks to its degree of sensitivity; it reacts more rapidly to actual flames.

The photoelectric alarm provokes fewer false alarms.  It is therefore recommended for use near the kitchen and bathroom since it won’t react as quickly to cooking fumes or bathroom vapour.  It is also more sensitive to small fires such as a cigarette burning in an armchair.

The ideal alarm uses a combination of both technologies.

By-law relating to chimney cleaning
(Règlement numéro 588 relatif au ramonage des cheminées)

With the exception of chimneys used for stoves functioning with natural or propane gas and oil-fired heating systems, all masonry or prefabricated metal chimneys must be cleaned annually.  If a chimney is unused, it must be closed off at its base and at the top using non-combustible materials.

Proprietors are responsible for ensuring that chimney cleaning has been carried out and for producing proof, annually.  The invoice paid or the receipt issued by a professional is required.  In default of this, a proprietor may solemnly declare that he or she has performed the cleaning according to the proper methods.  The chimney cap or spark arrestor required on all chimneys to protect it from the elements and stop animals from entering must also be cleaned on a regular basis.  Any climbing vegetation must be kept trimmed below the crown of the chimney.

To download a solemn declaration form, please click here. (PDF format 58k).
You can print and complete it prior to arriving at the Municipal Office to make your solemn declaration.

Burning off

Any burning off requires a permit, available free of charge at the Municipal Office.

A list of permits issued by the Municipality authorizing domestic burning off is transmitted to the Fire Safety department.

This allows departmental officers to make routine checks on permit holders to ensure that safety regulations are being respected.

Firemen’s Day

Firemen’s Day is organized every fall by the volunteers and always attracts a curious and enthusiastic crowd.

Demonstrations, equipment trials and simulations allow parents and children to gain a better understanding of the work carried out by firemen and the reasons for certain safety measures being either recommended or imposed.

Please check our calendar for the next edition of this event.