TORONTO - Firefighters from across Ontario are banding together to push the government to make sure there are fire sprinklers in all new residential buildings.
Nearly 100 firefighters and safety professionals are showing their support for a private member's bill, which passed second reading in the legislature Thursday.
Liberal Linda Jeffrey, who introduced Bill 72, says similar legislation has been proposed before.
But she's encouraged by what she's hearing from Premier Dalton McGuinty and opposition parties.
The bill would allow municipalities to pass bylaws requiring fire sprinklers to be installed in new residential buildings.
Richard Boyes of the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs says there have been about 90 fire fatalities in the last year, many of which could have been prevented with sprinklers.
A spokesman for Municipal Affairs Minister Jim Watson won't be taking a position on the bill until the legislature deals with it.
The province has been considering changes to the building code which would require sprinklers in all new residential homes three storeys or taller.
