The Howling Wolf
Just as our wolf logo symbolizes the leadership, loyalty, strength of character and sense of family that is displayed by emergency responders, The Howling Wolf serves as the voice of the John Petropoulos Memorial Fund. A wolf’s howl attracts other members of the pack, invites communication and creates a strong bond between pack members. We hope this blog will have the same impact on emergency responders, workplace safety professionals and traffic safety advocates, bringing us all together in the same pack and providing valuable information about workplace safety issues affecting first responders.
Check in frequently for updates on JPMF events and initiatives, interesting research and to add your own howl to our pack.
Slow Down & Move Over
Friday, March 12th, 2021
JPMF takes part in roadside public education event
Calgary, AB – Thursday March 11th, 2021: A contingent of vehicles, made up of members of Calgary’s emergency services, was parked at the side of Stoney Trail Thursday evening to raise awareness about road safety.
Tow truck drivers, first responders and road maintenance crews were set up at the side of Calgary’s ring road in both directions near 114 Avenue S.E. to remind drivers about what they need to do when passing emergency crews.
The consequences for not doing so are deadly, officials say.
Approximately four years ago, tow truck driver Courtney Schafer died while on the job. He was assisting a driver on March 7, 2017, when he was struck by a vehicle near Esterhazy, Sask.
Calgary tow companies say their roadside work is the “most dangerous aspect” of their job…
Read the rest of the CTV article here.
And here is the Global story.
Here are 4 short videos the JPMF created for sharing on social media – to help remind motorists about the importance of slowing down when passing first responders on the road and giving them room to work…so that everyone gets home safely (you’ll notice our “Slow Down; It’s No Picnic” 30 sec PSA is the base for all 4 videos):
#1. Please Slow Down & Change this Ending (55 sec)
#2. Please Slow Down Because it’s No Picnic (2 min 17 sec)
#3. Why We Care About Traffic Safety for First Responders (2 min 16 sec)
#4. Please Slow Down & Give Them Room to Work (1 min 55 sec)
Please consider sharing one or more of these videos on your social media. You just never know when the message hits home with a motorist. I don’t think we can ever hear this “slow down” reminder too often.
Thank you!
Photo Project – Workplace Fatalities in Canada
Wednesday, January 27th, 2021
Has Your Family Been Impacted by a Workplace Fatality in Canada?
If so, the John Petropoulos Memorial Fund would like to hear from you.
If you have lost a loved one to a workplace fatality in Canada – as the result of injury or occupational illness – you may be interested in our current workplace safety campaign.
We are raising awareness about the fact that since Const. John Petropoulos died on the job in 2000 (as the result of a preventable fall at unsafe workplace), more than 20,000 Canadians have died as a result of their work – either from an injury or occupational illness.
The first phase of the “Casket” campaign was launched in the fall of 2020.
You can watch the first 30-second “Casket” PSA here.
For the second part of the campaign, we are collecting photos from family members who have lost a loved one to a workplace fatality in Canada.
These photos will be used in a second PSA and/or short video/s, as well as in profile blogs. Behind every statistic is a real person…and their loved ones left behind.
If you would like to participate in the photo project, please e-mail us.
Thank you & take care.
About the JPMF
The JPMF was started shortly after the death of Calgary Police Constable John Petropoulos on Sept 29th, 2000. John was investigating a break and enter complaint when he stepped through a false ceiling, fell nine feet into the lunchroom below and died of a brain injury. There was no safety railing to warn him of the danger; the complaint turned out to be a false alarm.
John was 32.
The JPMF is a registered Canadian charity that raises public awareness about workplace safety issues and educates people about why & how to ensure their workplaces and the roads are safer for everyone, including emergency responders. For further information, please visit jpmf.ca.
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Casket Campaign Profile #1: Tim Hamilton
Thursday, November 19th, 2020
“I’ve been thinking of Tim a lot lately. Maybe because Christmas is coming and that’s always hard…when memories come so strongly. I remember holding him as a little guy. Sometimes that’s a tough feeling. Memories are strange. You never know when or where they are going to come from – and boom. You’re flat on the floor.”
– Julie Hamilton, Tim’s mom
A summer job shouldn’t be your last job.
On July 9th, 1999, Tim Hamilton’s life came to an abrupt end, as the result of an easily preventable workplace fatality. He was 19.
Tim was working a summer job to make money for college. His job was unskilled labour with a rental company. He was told to erect a large party tent under a hydro line. The engineer on site told them the power line wouldn’t be a problem. The power arced. Tim was electrocuted.
At only 19, Tim’s life had hardly begun. He had a tight group of friends and plans for his future. Already accepted at Red Deer College, he planned to finish that program and continue on to a business degree. He loved sports, being outside and, according to his mom, Julie, was always hungry.
We can do better for Canadians like Tim and Julie.
We have to.
Since 2000, more than 20,000 Canadians have died as a result of their job – either as the result of injury or occupational illness.
Please watch this 30-second “Casket” video:
Is this the legacy we want to building for workers – and their loved ones – in Canada?
For safety tips & to view our workplace safety videos, please visit jpmf.ca.
To learn more about the “Casket” Workplace Safety Public Awareness Campaign, please visit jpmf.ca.
If you have lost a loved one to a workplace fatality in Canada and would like to be participate in the photo project, please contact Rebecca@jpmf.ca
About the John Petropoulos Memorial Fund
The JPMF was started shortly after the death of Calgary Police Constable John Petropoulos on Sept 29th, 2000. John was investigating a break and enter complaint when he stepped through a false ceiling, fell nine feet into the lunchroom below and died of a brain injury. There was no safety railing to warn him of the danger; the complaint turned out to be a false alarm.
John was 32.
The JPMF is a registered Canadian charity that raises public awareness about workplace safety issues and educates people about why & how to ensure their workplaces and the roads are safer for everyone, including emergency responders. For further information, please visit jpmf.ca.
Leave a Reply
Count the Workplace Safety Tips in this 8-Minute Marathon Podcast
Tuesday, October 13th, 2020
“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”
– Jane Goodall
Is your workplace safe for everyone, including first responders?
If you are not familiar with the John Petropoulos Memorial Fund – what we do & why – then this 770 CHQR 8-minute marathon radio interview with Maryanne Pope, John’s widow & JPMF Director (and professional speed-talker), will fill you in:
A big shout-out of thanks to Sue Deyell & Andrew Schultz of 770 CHQR Radio in Calgary, AB. We appreciate your support in helping us spread the word about the importance of workplace safety!
If you don’t have eight minutes to spare at the moment, here are three things you can do – today – to help save a life:
- Take a moment to look around your workplace from the perspective of someone who wouldn’t be familiar with any potential hazards. If something needs changing/fixing, please do so.
- Falls are one of the leading causes of serious injury & death on the job. Are safety railings in place where you work? Do you always wear fall protection?
- Our cars can be killers. Please slow down when passing first responders working on the road – and give them room to work. Obey speed limits in construction zones; they are there for a reason. People are not pylons.
For more workplace safety tips and/or to watch our short safety videos, please visit jpmf.ca.
As for why we do what we do?
To view the JPMF’s newest 30-second “Casket” PSA, please visit our You Tube Channel.
About the John Petropoulos Memorial Fund
The JPMF was started shortly after the death of Calgary Police Constable John Petropoulos on Sept 29th, 2000. John was investigating a break and enter complaint when he stepped through a false ceiling, fell nine feet into the lunchroom below and died of a brain injury. There was no safety railing to warn him of the danger; the complaint turned out to be a false alarm.
John was 32.
The JPMF is a registered Canadian charity that raises public awareness about workplace safety issues and educates people about why & how to ensure their workplaces and the roads are safer for everyone, including emergency responders. For further information, please visit jpmf.ca.
Leave a Reply
Call to Families for Photos
Wednesday, October 7th, 2020
If Your Family Has Been Impacted by a Workplace Fatality in Canada…
Cheryl Shock with photo of Sean Bradley
The John Petropoulos Memorial Fund would like to hear from you.
If you have lost a loved one to a workplace fatality in Canada – as the result of injury or occupational illness – you may be interested in a public awareness campaign we are currently working on, to raise awareness about the growing number of workplace fatalities.
The first phase of the “Casket” campaign has just been launched.
To view the first 30-second “Casket” PSA, please click here.
For the second part of the campaign, we are collecting photos from family members who have lost a loved one to a workplace fatality in Canada.
Photo of Virginia Campeau holding photo of Paul
Please click here to view some of the photos we have received so far.
Here is the link for further details on the campaign, including the photo component of the project.
If you would like to participate in the photo project, please contact the JPMF’s “Casket” Project Family Liaison Coordinator, Rebecca Orr, at: rebecca@jpmf.ca.
We have extended the deadline to submit photos to Nov 15th, 2020.
Thank you!
“Safety isn’t expensive, it’s priceless.”
– Unknown
About the John Petropoulos Memorial Fund
The JPMF was started shortly after the death of Calgary Police Constable John Petropoulos on Sept 29th, 2000. John was investigating a break and enter complaint when he stepped through a false ceiling, fell nine feet into the lunchroom below and died of a brain injury. There was no safety railing to warn him of the danger; the complaint turned out to be a false alarm.
John was 32.
The JPMF is a registered Canadian charity that raises public awareness about workplace safety issues and educates people about why & how to ensure their workplaces and the roads are safer for everyone, including emergency responders. For further information, please visit jpmf.ca.
Leave a Reply
20th Anniversary Video
Tuesday, September 29th, 2020
John Petropoulos Memorial Fund 20th Anniversary Video – Ready to View!
“If you change nothing, nothing will change.”
– Tony Robbins
In honour of the 20th anniversary of John’s death on Sept 29th, 2020, the JPMF is releasing a special 20th anniversary video. A huge heartfelt thank you to the Calgary Police Service Video Unit for producing this beautiful video!
It is a wonderful tribute to John and highlights the achievements of the JPMF over the past two decades.
You can view the anniversary video (7 min) on the JPMF You Tube Channel.
Enjoy!
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world: indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
— Margaret Mead
