Toronto Fire Services Lunch & Learn: Designing with Emergency Response in Mind

Understanding how buildings perform during an emergency is a critical part of responsible design. To support this, CORE hosted a recent Lunch & Learn session in collaboration with Toronto Fire Services (TFS), offering valuable insight into real-world firefighting operations in mid-rise and high-rise buildings.

The session hosted by Firefighter David Santi from Toronto Fire Services (TFS), explored how fire services engage with buildings during emergencies, and how architectural and systems design decisions directly influence response effectiveness and life safety outcomes.

Rather than following a traditional presentation format, the session was structured as an open discussion guided by key questions and practical scenarios. Topics included:

• How firefighters access and assess buildings during an emergency
• The role of the Central Alarm and Control Facility (CACF) room
• Use and coordination of firefighter elevators, standpipes, and sprinkler systems
• Differences in response across building types and occupancies
• Smoke control strategies, fire safety plans, and real-time decision-making on site

The session provided a valuable opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of how design translates into real-world performance under critical conditions. By connecting design intent with emergency response practices, the discussion reinforced the importance of informed, integrated approaches to building safety.

Thank you to Firefighter David Santi at Toronto Fire Services for sharing his expertise, and to everyone who attended and contributed to the discussion.