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Ontario passes private member’s bill for fallen Listowel firefighters

April 11, 2017, TORONTO - Last Thursday, politicians and fire chiefs across the region hoped to turn a Perth County tragedy into a source of protection for firefighters across the province. That wish was granted on Thursday when Perth-Wellington MPP Randy Pettapiece's private member's bill passed in the Ontario legislature. 

The Rea and Walter Act was named in honour of two North Perth firefighters who died in 2011 after battling a fire at a Listowel building. The roof of the Dollar Stop – which was constructed with lightweight materials – collapsed, killing Ken Rea and Ray Walter. They were the first two volunteer firefighters in Perth County to die in the line of duty.

The bill requires commercial, industrial, and many residential buildings to clearly show if they were constructed with lightweight materials. Those buildings burn quicker and pose a huge danger to firefighters.

“All parties stood in the House and said they're going to support this bill. I'm grateful for that,” said Pettapiece. “It's a simple tool that firefighters can use when they come up to a fire.” The Stratford Beacon Herald reports. | READ MORE

April 11, 2017 
By The Stratford Beacon Herald