Calgary Fire Department encourages public safety for playoffs

During this exciting playoff run for our NHL hockey team, many Calgarians will be out at bars and nightclubs to cheer on the Calgary Flames. In order to promote a safe environment for customers and staff, another Calgary team led by the Fire Department, the Public Safety Task Force, is working to ensure all bars and nightclubs are safe.

“We want everyone to have fun during the playoffs, and to do it safely,” said Carol Henke, public information officer for the Calgary Fire Department. “We are working together with the members of the Public Safety Task Force and Calgary’s bar and nightclub industry to ensure that when fans are out on the Red Mile or other establishments around the city, that the safety regulations are met. Every second counts in a fire”.

The Public Safety Task Force includes Calgary Fire safety codes officers, police officers, business licensing and Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission inspectors, who conduct site visits, inspections and work with businesses and event planners to ensure the Alberta Fire Code and other regulations are met for the safety of both bar and nightclub customers and staff.

Calgary bars and nightclubs are responsible to clearly post and adhere to their occupant load, or building capacity. Task Force members inspect establishments to ensure they do not exceed the occupant load as well as assess there are no exposed open flames, all exits are accessible, well marked and well lit, fire alarms are functional and check for any other fire hazards.

The Public Safety Task Force reminds bar and nightclub goers to always look for the location of exits when they arrive. In the case of an emergency, everyone should calmly exit and once out of the building, stay out.

“Last week, we heard about someone setting off fireworks during playoff celebrations on the Red Mile,” added Henke. “The Calgary Fire Department would like to remind citizens that fireworks are illegal and are very dangerous, especially when set off in a large crowd and around flammable materials. The people in the crowd were placed at tremendous risk of injury or worse due to the poor choice of one individual.”

Go Flames Go.

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