From foundations to future: the journey of campus fire prevention

Evolving from its modest inception into a dynamic network, the University of Toronto’s Fire Prevention Services prioritizes campus fire safety efforts through innovative education and a steadfast dedication to the community.

Fire Prevention Services launched at U of T in 1990, with only two personnel—Fire Prevention Officer Wally Griswold and Manager Ron Lewis—at a time when proactive fire safety initiatives were becoming increasingly prioritized by the University. Their primary focus was on establishing basic fire safety protocols and laying the groundwork for the comprehensive systems the University community benefits from today.  

“The team started with a clear mission to protect our community. It was all about building awareness and trust—laying a foundation for a culture of safety that would evolve over subsequent years,” says Fire Prevention Services Manager Denise Rose.  

Since then, Fire Prevention Services has significantly expanded the size of their team and the scale of their equipment capacity. Currently a team of 13, the staff includes a manager, four fire prevention officers, a sprinkler foreperson and seven sprinklerfitter journeypersons.   

The sprinklerfitting team ensures the reliability of campus sprinkler and standpipe systems through regular inspections, maintenance and isolations (shutting off specific components of a system for testing or repairs). With 115 buildings with sprinkler systems at St. George Campus and Downsview, the team’s crucial work keeps these components operational, as highlighted in a recent feature of Patricio Torres. 

The fire prevention team has organized several large-scale initiatives, with one of their standouts being the fire extinguisher training program. “Approximately 500 students and staff took part in 2023; this year, we are on track to train over 1,000,” says Denise. The success of this program can be attributed to positive reviews and referrals coupled with an efficient online booking platform. The hands-on experience of using a fire extinguisher during training has empowered students and staff; several have successfully extinguished small fires that could have escalated on campus. 

Additionally, Fire Prevention Services conducts about 120 annual building inspections to ensure compliance with fire codes. These proactive measures are complemented by year-round fire drills on campus. In the 2023–2024 academic year, 119 fire drills were conducted between August and October and occurred every three months in the University’s residence buildings. 150 residence dons across campus received fire safety training, including evacuation procedures and roles and responsibilities.  

At the forefront of Fire Prevention Services is their education initiatives. Their commitment to education includes daily engagement with the community and participation in events such as Fire Prevention Week to establish relationships on campus. 

“We are excited to continue our work with various stakeholders to provide knowledge, training and support in fire safety,” says Denise. 

Last year, a groundbreaking partnership with the Indigenous community on campus facilitated the rollout of a campus-wide official process for smudging and other Indigenous ceremonies involving fire or smoke. Part of this effort involved redesigning the notification process with Fire Prevention Services and piloting the new process with various members of our community.  Since launching in April, nearly 100 ceremonies have safely taken place on St. Geroge campus alone. Fire Prevention Services is also working to engage diverse groups—including international students—through education of critical safety procedures and emergency services available. 

Looking ahead, Fire Prevention Services is poised to embrace technological advancements and forge new strategic partnerships to further enhance fire safety education.  

Plans are underway to introduce indoor fire extinguisher simulators, ensuring training can proceed regardless of weather conditions. The team also plans to grow their training offerings with the development of an online lab safety module, designed in partnership with the University’s Environmental Health and Safety.  

And the collaborative work doesn’t stop there! On October 10, 2024, a new partnership with Toronto Fire Services will be inaugurated with a Fire Safety Day event. This partnership includes hosting informative booths, firetruck demonstrations and ongoing fire safety initiatives throughout the year. 

With these advancements, Fire Prevention Services remains fixed on prioritizing personal and infrastructure safety on campus, ensuring that all members of the campus community are prepared and informed.  

For more information on how you can stay safe and informed on campus, please contact fireprevention@utoronto.ca. Feel free to contact your Fire Prevention Officer with any questions by using the resource here.