Latest news with #CalgaryFireDepartment
CTV News
13 hours ago
- CTV News
‘Inherent risks to all parts of the river': Officials urge caution while floating the Bow and Elbow
This weekend kicks off the busiest time of year for aquatic rescues in Calgary, and officials want anyone floating the Bow or Elbow to be extra cautious. As July approaches, the Calgary Fire Department water rescue team is expecting a busy month ahead. Officials want anyone floating the Bow or Elbow to be extra cautious—wear a life jacket and don't drink or smoke cannabis. 'It's not top of mind for a lot of people, so that's why every year we want to remind people about the dangers,' said Carol Henke, public information officer for the Calgary Fire Department. Aquatic safety experts say the Bow and Elbow rivers, even during summer heat, can see flow and temperature variations very quickly. 'There's inherent risks to all parts of the river,' said Alex Kwan, community safety officer for the Calgary Fire Department. Kwan says the busiest stretch of the Bow River begins at the Shouldice boat launch and goes through to Harvie Passage in Inglewood, especially where there are bridge crossings. 'What we see is people get into trouble by getting pushed by the current against any of the bridge pillars,' said Kwan. The risks on the water are high. Since 2016, there have been 29 fatalities. Last July, there were four deaths on the water—higher than the average. Wearing a life jacket is not only life-saving—it's the law. Failure to wear one could result in a $500 fine. This weekend kicks off the busiest time of year for aquatic rescues in Calgary, and officials want anyone floating the Bow or Elbow to be extra cautious. This weekend kicks off the busiest time of year for aquatic rescues in Calgary, and officials want anyone floating the Bow or Elbow to be extra cautious. Calgary police say booze and cannabis should only be consumed where it's safe and legal on dry land. 'We don't want to see any tragedies. We've seen enough in the past,' said Acting Insp. Kurt Jacobs. There will be an increased presence of police and peace officers along the shoreline, not just for enforcement, but also for education. 'We want you to have fun on the waterways, but we want you to be safe and we want you to get home at the end of the day,' said Acting Sgt. Mark Smith. Emergency officials recommend having a plan. The rules on the water are the same as on the road. Alcohol or cannabis consumption is not allowed. If you are impaired, you can be charged—just as you would as an impaired driver behind the wheel. Police officers say not everyone might be aware of this.
Global News
18 hours ago
- Climate
- Global News
Calgary expecting a big jump in water rescues this summer
Drowning claimed the lives of four people in Calgary last year, while the number of people who had to be rescued after getting into trouble on the waters in the city jumped by 31 per cent, according to the Calgary Fire Department. Based on trends in river use and with a forecast for above-average temperatures this summer, the department is preparing for a possible all-time high in water rescues this summer, said Carol Henke, information officer with Calgary fire. 'The greatest number of water rescues occurred in July, averaging 52 rescues that month since 2016,' added Henke. View image in full screen With the long-range forecast calling for above-average temperatures this summer, the Calgary Fire Department is preparing for the possibility of a record number of water rescues during the season. Global News 'We see the greatest number of river rescues on the Bow River between Shouldice boat ramp downstream to Harvie Passage. The communities of Montgomery and Inglewood at either end of this float see the greatest number of aquatic rescues in the waters adjacent to their communities, especially at Harvey Passage.' Story continues below advertisement 'Every time we see consistent temperatures like 28 to 30 C or higher, we've got a lot of people that I think venture out who haven't been out to the water before,' said Calgary fire community safety officer, Alex Kwan. View image in full screen The Calgary Fire Department says July is the busiest month for water rescues in the city, with an average of 52 rescues each July over the past 10 years. Calgary Fire Department Including the four people who drowned last year, a total of 29 people have lost their lives in Calgary's waters since 2016. Get weekly health news Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday. Sign up for weekly health newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'The city's growing, we have more people, and I think a lot of people maybe don't think about the risks,' said Henke. 'It's a beautiful day, you're not thinking about something going wrong, you're thinking it's gonna be a nice little float down the river, and it's not till you're in the situation that you recognize maybe your planning could have been better, your craft could have been better. I think maybe it's not top of mind for a lot of people.' Story continues below advertisement According to information from the RCMP and the Lifesaving Society of Canada's National Drowning Report, close to 450 people drown every year in Canada and nearly 80 per cent of them are men, drowning at a rate four times higher than women. More than 80 per cent of drownings while boating happen while the victim is not wearing a life jacket or personal flotation device. Canada's small vessel regulations require every boat, including kayaks and canoes, to have a Canadian-approved life jacket or PFD on board for each person. Life jackets will not only help a person float should they end up in the water, but they'll also help avoid shock and hypothermia, which can happen in water temperatures of 21 C or colder. View image in full screen The Lifesaving Society of Canada says more than 80 per cent of people who drown while boating were not wearing a life jacket. Global News Nearly 30 per cent of water-related deaths also involve alcohol — including 60 per cent of boating accidents. Story continues below advertisement 'Those things end up being a recipe for a disaster, unfortunately,' said Insp. Kurt Jacobs of the Calgary police traffic section. 'It impairs people's judgment, and especially already when a quick incident arises. 'Under the gaming and liquor there are different fines stemming from a few hundred dollars and of course the most serious being under the Criminal Code with criminal charges just such as we would see on the roadways — they're pretty stiff and I think most people don't really realize that what applies to roads and drivers also apply to water.' Henke said anyone heading out onto the water should also make sure their watercraft is safe. 'We often see floaties that are absolutely not indicated for a wilderness area in an urban setting — they puncture really easily and deflate, put you at risk for being stranded or worse, drowning.' 'Right now the stand-up paddle boardings have become more popular. Make sure people do not wear their ankle leashes,' said Kwan. 'In this environment, on the river with current, it becomes a drowning hazard. You can't actually undo the ankle strap if you get pulled underwater. Don't bring any of your (stand up paddleboard) anchors either. Any of those things can weigh you down, drag you down when they're attached to the board and attached to you.' Story continues below advertisement View image in full screen The Calgary Fire Department says the stretch of the Bow River between the Shouldice boat ramp and Harvie Passage is where most water rescues in Calgary take place. Global News Calgary fire, police and community safety officers will be patrolling both the Bow and Elbow rivers this summer — both on the water and along the banks — including the popular launch sites, like West Baker Park, Shouldice Park and Sandy Beach. With lots of sun and temperatures in the mid-20s forecast over the Canada Day weekend, they're expecting to be busy. 'Our primary focus isn't necessarily enforcement. It's always safety, education. We just want to get that message out,' said Jacobs. 'We don't want to see any tragedies. We've had enough in the past.'
Calgary Herald
19 hours ago
- Climate
- Calgary Herald
City urges Calgarians to stay safe on the water this summer after last year's rescue increase
City officials are urging Calgarians to prioritize safety while enjoying water activities, especially on the Bow River. Article content 'Our city's waterways are wild places in an urban setting, and we're seeing a growing number of preventable incidents on our rivers,' said Carol Henke, public information officer with the Calgary Fire Department. Article content Article content In 2024, the fire department saw a 31 per cent increase in aquatic rescues over the previous year, and an above-average number of fatalities. Article content Article content 'Make a plan, check the weather and water conditions and be aware of any potential hazards specific to the waterway that you are choosing to recreate on.' Article content Henke said most of the incidents the CFD sees are preventable, as long as safety precautions are taken. Article content 'A lot of people maybe don't think about the risks,' she said, 'It's a beautiful day, you're not thinking about something going wrong. You're thinking it's going to be a nice little float down the river.' Article content Article content Advisories, updates and detailed safety guidelines can all be found on the City of Calgary's website. Article content Calgarians can get stuck with a fine for floating or boating without a life jacket, or while impaired. Article content Article content 'Most people don't realize that what applies to roads and drivers also apply on water,' said Calgary Police Service inspector Kurt Jacobs. Article content 'Please don't get on the river here in unsafe waters and then impair your judgment by alcohol or drugs,' Jacobs said. Article content With paddleboarding becoming increasingly popular on Calgary's rivers, CFD community safety officer Alex Kwan urges users not to use the ankle leash that comes with most boards, or stand-up paddleboard anchors. Article content 'On the river with that current, it becomes a drowning hazard,' Kwan said. 'Any of those things could weigh you down and drag you down.' Article content For inflatable watercrafts, Kwan recommends using something that has multiple air chambers, and ensuring that it's inflated to the proper pressure. Article content Sergeant Mark Smith of Calgary Community Safety said officers will be patrolling the shoreline over the summer, not just for enforcement, but for safety as well. Article content
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
1 person dead after house fire in northeast Calgary
One person is dead and three were injured in a house fire overnight in northeast Calgary. Crews were called to the 100 block of Taralake Way N.E. at about 1:20 a.m., Calgary Fire Department spokesperson Carol Henke said. When crews arrived, flames were visible from both floors of the house and the fire was threatening neighbouring homes. A teen and an adult who had escaped from the second floor onto the roof were rescued by firefighters. Once inside the house, firefighters rescued a child who was found unconscious, Henke said. A deceased adult was also found inside the home. Two adults who were in the basement at the time of the fire were able to escape the house. They were assessed at the scene by EMS. Three other patients were taken to hospital. The fire investigator is at the scene and the Calgary Police Service arson unit is also investigating.
Global News
2 days ago
- Global News
‘She was screaming': Multiple people rescued from fatal Alberta house fire
A fatal house fire in the northeast community of Taradale is under investigation. Fire crews responded just after 1:15 a.m. Thursday morning after a 911 call from a neighbour who spotted the flames. When firefighters arrived, flames were shooting from both floors of the home, threatening to spread to neighbouring houses. 'There was a lot of fire from this structure, coming out the main floor and the second storey,' said Battalion Chief Scott Cowan with the Calgary Fire Department. 'Flames were pushing out to both sides of the structure and impinging on the houses on either side of the structure. Crews were very quick getting water on that fire to prevent the houses on either side from igniting.' Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy One adult was found dead inside the home during the firefighter's search. Story continues below advertisement Five other people were inside the house at the time with two adults managing to escape from the basement on their own. Two more were rescued from the roof after escaping through an upstairs window. One was a child taken to hospital in serious but stable condition, the other was an adult who is also in stable condition. Another child was carried out by firefighters, and rushed to hospital by EMS in critical, life-threatening condition. Zubair Hanif was the neighbour who called 911 and says he did what he could to get everyone out. 'There was huge smoke, black smoke inside,' described Hanif. 'I heard the noise of a lady upstairs, she was in her bedroom with her husband. One of the kids was in the other room, a baby girl. She was screaming and we broke the door to get them out of the house.' Because of the fatal outcome from the fire, the Calgary Police Arson Unit has been called in but Cowan says there's nothing to suggest the fire is suspicious. The cause is still under investigation.
