Pettapiece re-introduces Rea and Walter Act to improve firefighter safety

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 19, 2018

Pettapiece re-introduces Rea and Walter Act to improve firefighter safety

(Queen’s Park) – Randy Pettapiece, Member of Provincial Parliament of Perth-Wellington, re-introduced the Rea and Walter Act (Truss and Lightweight Construction Identification) at Queen’s Park today.

MPP Pettapiece said, “Firefighters need to know which buildings contain truss and lightweight construction. When a fire breaks out they need to know how to attack it safely.”

He continued by saying, “The Rea and Walter Act will restore trust and accountability between fire departments, municipalities and small business owners.”

The Tim Hortons fire in Arthur, Ontario on July 21st demonstrated once again the need for Truss and Lightweight Construction (TLC) identification. In response to the incident Wellington North Fire Service Chief Dave Guilbault said, “We were not aware that the roof trusses were lightweight. There was no way of knowing. There could have been serious injuries or loss of life.”

“I am hopeful this bill will again receive all-party support,” said Pettapiece after tabling it in the Legislature. “I am looking forward to working with all of my colleagues and stakeholder groups across the province. It is the minimum standard our firefighters should expect.”

The Rea and Walter Act was wiped off the legislative agenda when the previous Liberal government prorogued the legislature in March 2018.

The Act will require commercial and industrial buildings, as well as certain multi-family dwellings using TLC, to be marked by an identification emblem.

Buildings containing TLC will be required to post 1 of 3 emblems. “F” decals if only the floor of the building uses TLC. “R” decals if only the roof of the building uses TLC. “FR” decals if both the floor and the roof of the building use TLC.

The Act is in honour of two North Perth fire service members. Ken Rea and Ray Walter died in 2011, when the roof of a store constructed with TLC collapsed while fighting a fire.

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Bill 33, An Act governing the identification of truss and lightweight construction buildings: https://www.ola.org/sites/default/files/node-files/bill/document/pdf/2018/2018-09/b033_e.pdf