Quebec fire chiefs agree with coroner on sprinklers in all seniors’ homes

QUEBEC – Quebec fire chiefs want the provincial government to follow through on the recommendations of a coroner to have automatic sprinklers installed in all seniors’ homes in the province.

The provincial fire chiefs’ association says it also wants firefighters to have access to better training and is calling for fire services in Quebec to be reorganized.

The association is echoing recommendations from coroner Cyrille Delage’s report into the fire at a seniors’ residence in L’Isle Verte, Que., in January 2014, which claimed 32 lives.

During a news conference today, the group called on municipalities and the provincial building authority, to inspect all seniors’ homes over the next year and determine if they are up to code.

The fire chiefs also want employees of elder care homes trained in fire evacuation procedures.

There are 704 fire-fighting services in Quebec.