Safety events coming up

With North American Occupational Safety & Health (NAOSH) Week on the horizon, several safety events are coming up in Calgary and continent-wide.

The Day of Mourning, which takes place April 28th, remembers those workers injured or killed on the job. People are encouraged to honour their memory by committing to work together to prevent workplace injuries and fatalities.

Calgary and area events include an observance at City Hall Gardens, 800 Macleod Trail, at noon on Friday, April 27th and a Memorial & Flag Dedication at the Fallen Workers Memorial Garden, located at #201 292060 Wagon Wheel Link in Rocky View. This service will begin at 11 am on Saturday, April 28th. {read more}

Providing a different perspective on workplace safety

An effective presentation is a key way to deliver workplace safety messages that can both increase awareness about specific issues and lead to behaviour change.

The John Petropoulos Memorial Fund (JPMF) has now developed a professional safety presentation program, through which a speaker can go out into communities to deliver powerful presentations to companies, organizations and conferences that reinforce this safety message: when you make your workplace safe for emergency responders who may have to attend a premise, you make it safer for everyone.  {read more}

Penny for your thoughts … and a good cause

The penny is on the way out.

The federal government recently announced that the Royal Canadian Mint will stop producing pennies.

“Free your pennies from their prisons at home and donate them to charity,” said Finance Minister Jim Flaherty.

As a registered charitable organization, we couldn’t agree more with the Finance Minister. That’s why we’re urging all of our supporters to set up coin boxes at their place of work to take in all those stray pennies. {read more}

Fatality reports offer opportunities to save lives

While they often offer little to grieving family, friends and colleagues of the fallen, fatality reports do provide some important lessons about dangerous workplaces and environments confronting first responders.

These lessons, however, only have value if people learn from them.

A recent story out of New Zealand revealed a coroner’s findings in the death of firefighter Derek Lovell, who died of traumatic injuries from a major explosion at a refrigeration plant in 2008. The coroner’s report said “nothing in their training or experience prepared” Derek and other firefighters “for the situation they faced that day.” {read more}

It’s tax time! Another good reason to donate

Tax time is here again and with the deadline approaching to file tax returns this serves as a good time of year to remind people about the benefits of making a charitable donation.

First, there’s the obvious: you’re supporting a good cause.

In the case of the JPMF, our safety initiatives help ensure that first responders – including police, firefighters, medics, two truck drivers, etc. – make it home safely to their families after every shift. {read more}

Calgary Police Half Marathon fast approaching

The JPMF will once again be running a water station at the Calgary Police Half Marathon, taking place on Sunday, April 29th.

The water station will be set up in South Glenmore Park, just north of the intersection of 90 Ave. and 24 St. S.W.

Volunteers are needed from 6:30 am until 11 am to mix Gatorade, hand out water & Gatorade to runners, and help keep the water station clean. {read more}