Banff Mineral Springs Hospital installs sprinklers to reduce wildfire threat
Article content
'We know how devastating a forest fire can be to a community and how important it is to protect key infrastructure including hospitals,' said site administrator Margie Smith in a Wednesday statement.
'The new fire protection at Mineral Springs Hospital increases site, patient and staff safety, and it also will allow firefighters to focus on protecting other parts of our community, knowing the hospital is largely self-sufficient.'
The Banff hospital is the first health-care facility in Alberta to have such a system, said Smith, who hopes other facilities in the province and country will add them.
Banff fire chief Keri Martens said embers from wildfire can be blown into town from kilometres away.
'The sprinkler system will help Banff firefighters protect critical infrastructure during an emergency,' said Martens in a statement.
Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services Mike Ellis said the Alberta government applauds Covenant Health's efforts to proactively protect critical infrastructure and ensure the safety of the hospital during wildfires.
The Town of Banff has a roof sprinkler incentive program, through which eligible Banff homeowners can purchase a roof sprinkler kit at a reduced cost after a free FireSmart home inspection.
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Scales of justice (Getty Images) After 20 years of cordial relations, he suddenly became the neighbour from hell. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Robin Smith was a pillar in her community. Retired at 60, she volunteered at the local homeless shelter, acted as a chaplain for friends and neighbours, walked 10 kilometres a day and spent hours cultivating her beautiful garden. She was also, according to a recent court ruling, an 'excellent' neighbour to Edward Cammack, inviting him to dinner, helping him when he was ill and assisting him to fill out his disability forms. It all changed in 2020 after someone complained to the local authorities about the state of his yard and Cammack was forced to clean it up. Despite her denials, Cammack became convinced Smith was behind the complaint. Now neighbour disputes are not uncommon in our city or any other. At first, it took on the garden variety type of friction: Cammack swore at her and paced outside her window. According to a recent ruling, he became more aggressive in 2021: he stole compost and composters from Smith's property in March and frequently trespassed onto her property, shouting profanity and threats including: 'I am not done with you.' Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. His vendetta took a shockingly violent turn on April 14, 2021 while Smith was gardening in her backyard. Cammack attacked her from behind and kicked her with full force on the back of her head. He then continued to kick and punch her in the head, neck, and upper body while she cried for help. When other neighbours rushed to her aid, Cammack strode calmly away — but offered this parting threat: 'I'm not done with you yet.' On Jan. 29, 2022, Cammack pleaded guilty to assault causing bodily harm — but didn't apologize. He was sentenced to just six months in jail. The bruising and swelling on her jaw left her unable to eat solid food. She was diagnosed with a concussion and her body was covered with bruises and lacerations. F or three months, the judge wrote, Smith isolated herself from everyone because she felt that she looked like a monster and she didn't want to upset the people she loved, including her elderly parents for whom she'd been their primary caregiver. Her mother fell ill soon after and died a few months later. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. When Cammack was released from prison, Smith felt she had no choice but to follow police advice and leave the house and neighbourhood she'd loved for decades. 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'For Mr. Cammack to suggest she did not need to move shows he still does not understand the gravity of his actions or their consequences on Ms. Smith.' mmandel@ Read More Columnists Other Sports Ontario Toronto & GTA Canada
Edmonton Journal
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Banff Mineral Springs Hospital installs sprinklers to reduce wildfire threat
Article content 'We know how devastating a forest fire can be to a community and how important it is to protect key infrastructure including hospitals,' said site administrator Margie Smith in a Wednesday statement. 'The new fire protection at Mineral Springs Hospital increases site, patient and staff safety, and it also will allow firefighters to focus on protecting other parts of our community, knowing the hospital is largely self-sufficient.' The Banff hospital is the first health-care facility in Alberta to have such a system, said Smith, who hopes other facilities in the province and country will add them. Banff fire chief Keri Martens said embers from wildfire can be blown into town from kilometres away. 'The sprinkler system will help Banff firefighters protect critical infrastructure during an emergency,' said Martens in a statement. Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services Mike Ellis said the Alberta government applauds Covenant Health's efforts to proactively protect critical infrastructure and ensure the safety of the hospital during wildfires. The Town of Banff has a roof sprinkler incentive program, through which eligible Banff homeowners can purchase a roof sprinkler kit at a reduced cost after a free FireSmart home inspection.
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