Junior firefighter camp sounds alarm on lithium-ion battery fires

Fort Erie’s free Junior Firefighter Camp is putting battery fires at the centre of its curriculum this summer, as lithium-ion blazes climb across Ontario at a pace fire departments say they are struggling to match.

The Fort Erie Fire Department opened registration this week for its annual Junior Firefighter Camp, a free three-day program for Grade 4 and Grade 5 students running once in July and once in August at Stevensville Fire Station 5.

Tracey Fitzsimons, division chief of public education, told Fort Erie Radio the department expects 30 campers each session, putting fire-safety messaging into up to 60 local households per summer.

Lithium-ion battery safety leads this year’s curriculum, driven by a province-wide surge in battery-related fires that fire officials describe as unlike anything the service has previously faced.

“The technology has evolved faster than we have,” said Fitzsimons. “Lithium-ion batteries are on everybody’s radar.”

Ontario’s fire marshal’s office says the scale of the problem is unprecedented and is considering changes to the Fire Code, while also pressing the federal government to regulate batteries entering Canada.

Toronto recorded a nearly 600 per cent increase in lithium-ion battery fires between 2020 and 2024. Toronto Fire Chief Jim Jessop responded to three such blazes in a single week last month, calling the trend a “serious public safety concern.”

Junior Firefighter campers will take home tip sheets on safe charging practices and how to buy CSA-approved products from reputable sources.

“A big goal is for the children to take this information home,” said Fitzsimons.

Beyond battery safety, campers cover working smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, escape planning and emergency preparedness. St. John Ambulance delivers a mini first-aid certification, and students train on hoses, fire extinguishers and obstacle courses.

Fitzsimons said Niagara Regional Police and Fort Erie bylaw officers are also expected to attend this year.

The Fort Erie Fire Department relies on roughly 100 suppression volunteers across four districts.

“We use this as an early recruiting tool,” said Fitzsimons. “Hey, we’re volunteers. You can have a full-time job as a teacher, a banker or an electrician, but after hours, would you consider coming out?”

Spots are limited and filled by random lottery and registration is free.

Families can contact Fitzsimons at tfitzsimons@forterie.ca to request an application.

The July session runs July 15, 16 and 17. The August session runs August 10, 11 and 12.

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