Multiple departments in Winnipeg are finding ways to help reduce the risk of neighbourhood fire hazards to keep the community safe.
“The safety of our residents is our highest priority, and we want to ensure that neighbourhoods are clean and safe for everyone,” says Mayor Scott Gillingham. “With the number of fires trending upward over the past couple of years, we are taking steps to remove hazards in our community with the hope that we will begin to see the number of fires decline.”
From April to October the city will be cleaning back lanes every other week to remove garbage and therefore reduce fire hazards. The city’s budget for this cleanup went up 50 per cent this year.
Any Winnipeg resident who sees excess garbage build-up or dumping can contact the city by dialling 3-1-1, and they will send someone to clean it up.
Another way the city hopes to reduce arson is through the Vacant Building By-Law, which they recently made changes to.
There is now a new standard for boarding up vacant buildings, that says people need to use thicker plywood and braces to cover doors and windows. They must also use fasteners to make the boards more difficult to remove. By adding these new rules, the city hopes it will cut down on calls to 9-1-1 and therefore free up emergency services for other urgent needs.
If people see someone entering a building that has been boarded up and appears to be vacant, they are encouraged to call 311/911 so the building can be inspected and secured.