Local fire departments and the OPP are now better equipped to help children and young adults during an emergency.
On May 5, representatives from the fire departments in Collingwood, The Blue Mountains, Wasaga Beach and Clearview and from Huronia West and Collingwood/The Blue Mountains OPP gathered at the fire station in Collingwood for a special presentation.
Comfort Kit Canada donated 15 Comfort Kits to the fire departments and the police. The donation was made possible thanks to SMART Insulation Systems.
Comfort Kit Canada Inc. is a not-for-profit organization that provides tools and training to assist in trauma and harm reduction for children involved in emergency situations.
The kits are filled with items that help children and young adults, including non-neurotypical individuals, during stressful emergency situations like fires and car accidents. They include: breathing cards, communication cards, information cards, ear muffs, safety glasses, a fidget spinner, sand timer, a notepad and pen. All the items are secured in a waterproof box and placed in the vehicle of an emergency responder.
Marc den Bok of Comfort Kit Canada said the kits help keep children “occupied and relaxed while emergency responders get them out of the situation.”
den Bok launched Comfort Kit Canada in 2019 and has helped emergency departments in Texas build kits and noted that the Ontario Fire Marshall’s office now offers its own kit in conjunction with Autism Canada. He said with municipal budgets stretched, he now approaches local businesses about helping to donate the kits to local emergency services. SMART Insulation System stepped up for the latest donation.
The Blue Mountains Fire Chief Steve Conn said the kits “are a great initiative.”
Collingwood Fire Chief Dan Thurman said his department used the kits almost immediately after receiving them several years ago.
“We’re proud we’re one of the first and we’re still going,” he said.
With the kits, Comfort Kit Canada is also providing training to fire department personnel to help them care for children during emergency situations.