'Cindy’s Law' fire extinguisher in cars campaign gets MPP's attention
Elgin Middlesex London MPP Rob Flack brought attention to a campaign that could help save lives on Ontario roads in the future.
Flack made a member’s statement at Queen’s Park on Thursday where he recognized the “Extinguishers for Cindy” campaign.
“This tragic incident, an accident, was the result in a campaign now called ‘Extinguishers for Cindy’ and they’re calling for Cindy’s Law to be established in this province.”
Named after Cindy Devine, who was killed in a car fire two years ago, the campaign pushes for the mandate of a fire extinguisher in every vehicle in Ontario.
Cindy’s husband Richard Devine, was on hand in Toronto for the reading. He said it’s an important first step.
“Definitely don’t want to have anybody else go through what my family’s gone through, new friends I’ve made, what they’ve gone through, and it’s just… it’s not worth it.”
Cindy’s long time friend, Tony Bendel started the campaign. He was also on had for the formal reading Thursday.
“So already commercial vehicles have them, school buses have them, recreational boats do have to have them, so why do we not have them in automobiles,” he questioned.
Cindy Devine, 35, was killed on Oct. 2, 2020 when the car she was driving was involved in a collision on Highbury Avenue south of London.
Her car caught fire before fire crews arrived.
Among those first on scene was Londoner Bob Reid, who also attended the Queens Park session.
After being involved in the October 2020 tragedy, he believes fire extinguishers in cars could save lives.
“As a human being we want to be given the opportunity to try,” he explained. “With no fire extinguisher, there’s no try.”
The idea of having a fire extinguisher in every vehicle in the province, utilized by lay people, is not without risk according to one fire educator.
“You definitely need to know how to use it, and you also need to know the risks,” said Fire Chief Bill Hunter of the Perth East and West Perth fire departments.
Hunter said he supports the idea, but he believes it’s important to have an educational component for fire extinguishers.
He said car fires have a host of dangers that are not always present in structure fires.
“Firefighters are trained in how to approach a vehicle fire, so that we’re not putting ourselves in a position to being injured by flying debris, or anything else that’s coming out of the car, let alone all the toxic smoke that’s coming off a car. Lot of plastics and fuels that can burn as well.”
In the meantime, Richard Devine and his supporters say they’ll be watching the bill closely as it moves through the legislative process, and they’ll keep up their efforts until Cindy’s Law becomes reality
“Fire extinguisher can save a life- do it,” said Richard.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.