BGE Fire Mitigation Program: Lessons Learned From 2016
In May 2016, Fort McMurray experienced one of the most devastating natural disasters in its history—a massive wildfire that burned for three months, destroying over 2500 homes and buildings, affecting over 1.5M acres of land.
We at BGE Indoor Air Quality Solutions rolled up our sleeves to help wherever we could—working with Alberta Health Services, RCMP, the Canadian Armed Forces, and The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo to protect residents and emergency personnel and keep the region operational.
Our Fire Mitigation Program
From the lessons we learned during the 2016 wildfires, we were able to develop a Fire Mitigation Program that gives facility operators and managers a chance to proactively assess their risks and get prepared for whatever may come their way.
- Step 1: Consult with the facility manager to determine which operations in the facility are deemed essential and high priority to the entire operation.
- Step 2: Assess the mechanical units to ensure that there is a tight seal between the filter and the filter bank. Where possible, upgrade mechanical systems to be able to accommodate both pre filters and final filters, capturing both particulate matter as well as odours.
- Step 3: Forecast filter needs for the upcoming season and ensure we have the right supply of pre and final filters on hand in case of an emergency. We bag and seal all of our activated carbon filters so that they have a long shelf life and will not need to be replaced before use.
Our mitigation program focuses on preparedness; education and periodic indoor air quality testing allows us to update our assumptions about your facility and to ensure that you’re well-equipped to handle any anticipated scenario.
To learn more about our Fire Mitigation Program, connect with one of our Clean Air Advisors.
