Public buildings on PEI exempt from providing fire exits for disabled

Charlottetown Civic Centre, only one wheelchair accessible exit off the floor on Sunday night

At the Stompin Tom Connors concert on Sunday in May 2009, the Charlottetown Civic Centre had only one wheelchair accessible exit off the floor. It was the exit closest to the Box Office.

There were more than 30 people were on the arena floor in wheelchairs.  In an emergency, many of those people in wheelchairs were at risk.

A May 2009 press release from PEI Fire Marshal David Blacquiere will be cold comfort to relatives of those who would have perished if a fire broke out.

“The Fire Marshal’s Offices and Island Fire Service are reminding Islanders that it is very important to plan a secondary means of escape during a fire or other emergency.”

“A fire is a terrifying experience, so it is important to be prepared if a fire strikes your home,” said PEI Fire Marshal David Blacquiere. “Most fires occur at night when everyone is sleeping. Bedroom windows should be big enough for the occupant to climb out and able to be opened 12 months of the year. If you are unable to use the main exit because of smoke or fire, an alternate exit from your bedroom can save your life.” PEI News Release”

PEI’s fire services and the Fire Marshall pay scant attention to the safety needs of the disabled to exit in the case of a fire. We are an afterthought.

“Somebody pick up that man in the wheelchair,” would be the call. The disabled person is often left to fend for themselves.

City of Charlottetown ignores disabled fire risk

To complement the Civic Centre story, during a July 2007 fire alarm at the Atlantic Technology Centre, a man in a wheelchair was left in the basement. City fire officials were bluntly unconcerned.

“Charlottetown fire inspector Randy MacDonald said although staff were trying to help MacPhee, there’s no law that requires it. He added the only people allowed to override elevators in a fire are firefighters.

MacDonald said it is up to individuals — disabled or not — to have an escape plan.” CBC Disabled man stuck in basement during alarm

That same year, the fire exits at the Charlottetown Festival of Lights were closed to control unpaid entrance. This created a bottle neck on leaving that was very dangerous for people in wheelchairs. Charlottetown Guardian Where’s the outrage over people at risk?

UPEI places disabled at risk during a fire

At UPEI, which has a reputation for poor accommodation of the disabled, we had been stonewalled by City of Charlottetown Planning Manager Don Poole during the fall of 2008 on accessible access.

We reported to Poole, to the City Solicitor David Hooley, to the Fire Marshall, to the University and to Fred Hyndman Chair of the Board of Governors that fire exits in one building we inspected, the MacDougall Building, were mainly inaccessible.

We sent this information to the CBC, the Charlottetown Guardian, other PEI media and the Premier’s office. No one responded to the need to address the issues.

The University installed some temporary ramps at one entrance after we posted this video on YouTube on February 4, 2009. Everyone pointed fingers at the other person.

Where is the Fire Marshall’s office on disability fire safety? Does the PEI Council of the Disabled have a position on fire safety of the disabled.

From what we have seen, fire safety for the disabled on Prince Edward Island is a last thought, patchwork solution.

In January disability activists filed a class action lawsuit against the City of Los Angeles on the same issue. LA sued over provisions for disabled in disasters.

Related stories

Atlantic Technology Centre Bungles Fire Protection
Public Cursing or Public Safety, which is the City worried about

Originally published May 29, 2009