Front row seating

April 28th marks the National Day of Mourning, held annually to remember lives lost in the workplace. The following excerpt is from A Widow’s Awakening, a creative non-fiction novel by Maryanne Pope, widow of Const. John Petropoulos. The book illustrates the impact of a workplace fatality on loved ones:

The only good thing about being the widow is the front row seating. So there’s nothing between Sam and myself except death itself – and an expensive maple casket, which is, thankfully, closed for the time being. I take my seat between Sam’s parents and we hold hands. To our right, several old men in robes begin chanting in ancient Greek.

I then watch as three police officers – Charlie, Mark and one of Sam’s teammates – slowly march up to Sam’s casket. {read more}

How to make safety a habit that sticks

North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week takes place next month and the theme of this year’s continent-wide celebration of safety is Make Safety A Habit.

It’s a great theme and one that deserves consideration, but how exactly does one go about making safety a habit and one that sticks?

Well, the first step is identifying the habit you want to create, or the potentially harmful one you wish to eliminate.

Perhaps it’s always wearing fall protection when you’re at a height that requires it or maybe it’s putting an end to texting and talking on the phone while driving.

Take the time to carefully consider what safety behaviours you should incorporate. What will make the biggest impact in your life and help to keep you and those around you the safest? {read more}

Fundraiser takes centre stage

The John Petropoulos Memorial Fund (JPMF) is very proud to present Saviour: A ‘Tough’ Love Story, a play written by Maryanne Pope.

For ten years after her husband died, Maryanne looked for the right words to share his story, to express the grief, pain and ultimately the strength and inspiration she found in coping with his loss. Now, she hopes her award-winning script will be a saviour for the charity that bears his name.

Saviour is ready to hit the stage in performances in Calgary and Edmonton this fall. The theatrical production explores the compelling, true-life story of the circumstances that led to John’s death and examines the impact on those left behind. Then it delves deeper, providing a fictional account of what the police officer’s own response would have been to such a preventable tragedy.

The JPMF – a charity committed to first responder safety – is producing the play, which will also serve as a fundraiser for the non-profit organization. {read more}