Take a shuttle bus to Ottawa

 

South Dundas Fire and Emergency Services recently underwent a formal accreditation process to grade the fire service’s ability to protect the community. 

This accreditation could have a positive impact on insurance rates for South Dundas property owners who live within eight kilometers of a fire station.

October 8, the Municipality of South Dundas announced that South Dundas Fire and Emergency Services is now formally accredited to deliver Alternative Water Supply for Public Fire Protection via Superior Tanker Shuttle Service by the Fire Underwriters Survey.

Accredited Superior Tanker Service is a recognized equivalency to hydrant protection for those residents of the community who are not in an area serviced by hydrants, and a located within 8 km of a fire station.

The Fire Underwriters conducted an assessment of each area of South Dundas’ fire defences, primarily for fire insurance grading and classification purposes.

This accreditation is achieved through an assessment of the documentation process, of the availability of the water supply, of the fleet and through actual testing.

South Dundas Fire Chief Chris McDonough has been working towards this accreditation process for two years. 

Part of that work has been organizing equipment purchases and putting them in the appropriate locations to benefit the community through accreditation.

“Council has been very supportive in allowing me to move forward with equipment purchases that have helped make this happen,” said McDonough, adding that now, the community could see some benefit through their insurance rates.

McDonough couldn’t say enough about the performance of the firefighters in the shuttle test, where they had to be able to supply 200 gallons per minute for two hours.

“Our guys were awesome,” said McDonough, who added that the person administering the test told him their performance was one of the best he had ever seen. “We have a great crew. They work really well together,” said McDonough.    

Along with the improvements to tanker shuttle service, all three stations received an improved dwelling protection grade from the Underwriters. 

Prior to this, South Dundas had no formal accreditation, now they have a 3bS dwelling protection grade. This grade is on a scale of 1-5.

The grade is an assessment of the fire protection available for small buildings such as single-family dwellings. It reflects the ability of a community to handle fires in small buildings, and is used by Personal Lines insurers.

As part of their assessment, Fire Underwriters also reviewed the Public Fire Protection Classification, a numerical grading system that is used by Commercial Lines insurers. 

The PFPC grading system evaluates the ability of a community’s fire protection programs to prevent and control major fires that may occur in multi-family residential, commercial, industrial, institutional buildings, and construction developments.

In this area, South Dundas went from having no formal classification to a 5-6 classification for the Morrisburg area on a scale of 1-10.

South Dundas officials suggest that business and individual property owners inquire with their insurers to determine if these new assessments have an impact on their insurance rates.

Fire Underwriters Survey is a national organization that represents more than 85 per cent of the private sector casualty insurers in Canada. Fire Underwriters Survey provides data to program subscribers regarding public fire protection for fire insurance statistical and underwriting evaluation.

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From 50-cent treats, old-fashioned kids’ games and family entertainment, to heritage horse and cattle shows, there will be something for everyone to enjoy at Upper Canada Village at the much anticipated 1860s fall fair coming up at Upper Canada Village September 15-16. 

Visitors are invited to admire the top-prized heritage products, crops and vegetable classes.

“From one end of the Village to the other there’ll be no shortage of things to see and do,” says Gabriele Thomas, UCV Site Supervisor. “The Fall Fair provides a perfect opportunity for enjoying a beautiful natural setting while getting immersed in living history. What’s more, it includes the Discovery Centre, boisterous period entertainment, children’s games, and tasty treats.”

All the best things made and grown at Upper Canada Village will be exhibited under the big tent in the fairgrounds.  

Beautiful Victorian needlework and embroidery, delicious preserves, pickles and baked goods, heritage vegetables, watercolours and oil paintings, honey, cheese as well as articles showcasing early industry will be on display. 

The public is invited to enter their vegetables, flowers, food items and other products to see how they measure up against Village staff.  All entries must comply with 1860s guidelines which can be found and downloaded at www.uppercanadavillage.com under Activities, Special Events, Fall Fair and all must be registered by noon on Friday, September 14.

What fair would be complete without fun and laughter?  

Village performers are tuning up their instruments and voices to entertain the crowd with a lively program of singing and instrumental music.  The Upper Canada Village Brass Band is slated to perform at Cook’s Tavern from 1:30-3 p.m. on Sunday afternoon, September 16.

The wonder-filled world of the Mental Floss Sideshow, a new act at this year’s fair, will present two shows daily – noon to 12:30 p.m. and 3-3:30 p.m. Meet Professor Archibald Floss, carnival impresario and human oddity and his partner Dr. Charlotte Tann, snake oil peddler of some renown. 

Visitors are invited to witness feats of derring-do and exhibits garnered from the five corners of the globe. 

Other performances and displays running both Saturday and Sunday are: Village musicians and entertainment 11:15-11:45 a.m.; Opening Ceremonies in the fairgrounds including poetry reading, music and dancing by the Young Interpreters 1-1:30 p.m.; Horse & Cattle Show 2-3 p.m.; Children’s Games & Races 2:30-3:15 p.m.

On Saturday only, from 4-4:30 p.m. there will be music at Cook’s Tavern.

One of the highlights of the event is the more-than-“fair” prices for treats.  Apples, UCV-baked bread, UCV cheese, cider, lemonade and fudge will all be available at only 50 cents per serving.

Children can burn off steam by participating in several 19th century games taking place throughout the weekend.  

Ring toss, three-legged races, sack races, wheelbarrow races, and tug-of-war are being organized to provide young visitors with a taste of some good old-fashioned fun and tasty prizes.

Admission includes the Discovery Centre:  Adult (13-64 yrs) $17; Senior (65 yrs+) $14; Youth (6-12 yrs) $14; children 5 yrs and under are free.  

Upper Canada Village is open from 9:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

Coming up next a Upper Canada Village is A World of Glass  beinging featured the weekend of September 22 and 23

From the pop bottle to the chandelier, glass is imminently practical as well as exquisitely extravagant. 

Discover the magic of glass blowing, painted and stained glass, mirrors, kaleidoscopes as well as industrial applications.  

Special feature of the weekend will be the remarkable stained glass windows painted in the 1880s by Harry Horwood for the Prescott home of distillery owner J.P. Wiser.

[…]

On Saturday, August 27, at approximately 12:15 a.m. SD&G OPP officers responded to a report of a robbery at the Mac’s Convenience Store in Iroquois.

The investigation revealed that a male armed with a weapon entered the store and demanded that the clerk hand over all the money in the cash.

The employee complied and an undisclosed amount of money was handed over to the male.

The employee was not injured and the male fled on foot.

An extensive search of the area was conducted with negative results.

The male whose face was covered is described as approximately 6’2 inches tall, with a slim build (white). He was wearing black pants, a black coat and his face was covered.

SD&G OPP officers, assisted by the OPP Crime Unit investigators continue the investigation.

Anyone having information on the above or any crime is asked to call SD&G Opp at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

The Iroquois convenience store was also the victim of an armed robbery on June 12. Two youth were later apprehended and charged for this incident.

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