Perth Sprinkler Flood Response Team 2013

On New Year’s Eve 2012, at 7:39 pm, the fire alarm at Perth Heritage Campus sounded because of a broken wet fire sprinkler pipe. The apparent water damage was extensive, affecting the main entrance, the front hallway, the LRC, the computer room, various components of the campus IT network and the campus administrative offices.

Tara-Lee Ferguson, Perth Administration Officer, and Kenneth Ellsworth, Perth Caretaker, met the Perth Fire Department on site and initiated immediate action to limit the extent of the damage and commence immediate clean-up via Service Master. Later, Catherine Lariviere also came in to assist Tara-Lee.

Moreover, Udo Friesen, the Physical Resources Duty Officer, arranged for fire watch and a team from Physical Resources to go to Perth on New Year’s Day to coordinate recovery and restoration work. That team, comprising Udo Friesen, John Dalziel and Lorenzo Bruno spent the entire New Year’s Day determining the extent and cause of the problem and arranged for a team of contractors to undertake the necessary work to be able to re-open the campus in time for return of students on January 7, 2013.

Furthermore, Wayne Turcotte, Perth IT, also attended the site on New Year’s Day to assess extent of damage to the campus IT systems, and undertake necessary restoration.

All work was executed cheerfully, professionally and quickly; by the time the campus re-opened on Monday January 7, 2013, all system repairs were completed, the campus was fully operational, and only minor touch-up work needed to be completed.

For their extraordinary dedication, professionalism, judgement and commitment, the “Perth Sprinkler Flood Immediate Response Team 2013” comprising Tara-Lee Ferguson, Kenneth Ellsworth, Wayne Turcotte, Catherine Lariviere, Udo Friesen, John Dalziel and Lorenzo Bruno, is nominated for the President’s Star Award.

Nominated by: Ginette Belair
Presented on: March 21, 2013