Nelson Checkmarked An inventive response for an emergency situation
CHECK IT OUT: Dan Markin is revolutionizing emergency services with his trademarked Check-Out Bag. —photo courtesy Dan Markin
A Nelson firefighter has developed a novel product that could soon be part of standard procedure for emergency services across North America.
Check-Out Bag, a brightly coloured bag emblazoned with a large checkmark, lets people know that emergency services have already dealt with an accident scene, solving a problem that has long been plaguing police and fire units.
“We would get called back to the same scene by well-meaning members of the public who were unaware that we had already dealt with it,” said inventor Dan Markin, who learned of the issue first hand as a longtime volunteer with the Beasley Fire Department.
Neither flagging tape nor traffic cones had proven effective in communicating that a situation had already been looked after by emergency services. Markin carefully designed the Check-Out Bag to resemble a traffic sign, making it both highly visible and authoritative, while using a symbol that is recognized around the globe.
“Even if you are going by in a vehicle at a brisk pace, you can identify the checkmark and realize that the accident scene has been checked,” he said.
Check-Out Bag made its debut this past October at two dozen emergency services and four RCMP detachments around the West Kootenay, with great success.
“Since the bags have been put into service, we have not had a single callback, and I have not had a report of any callbacks from any of the (fire) halls that are using them,” he said.
Public response to the product has also been favourable as it eliminates confusion when passing by an accident.
“The public in general have told me that they appreciate seeing it out there because it does take the ambiguity out of it,” said Markin. “When you see the checkmark, you know that it’s been dealt with. If you don’t see it, then you know that it’s a good idea to make the call to get something happening.”
The potential market expansion for Check-Out Bag, to which Markin owns the trademark and copyright, is huge. There is no other such product being sold to emergency services, and its possible uses go beyond roadside accidents.
“As far as the type of emergency, it’s not limited to vehicles because it is designed to be hung over top of mailboxes, signposts, street markings—or pretty much anywhere—to identify areas where emergency services have checked a location,” said Markin.
Disaster evacuations and missing person searches are two crises where Markin particularly sees a benefit to using the Check-Out Bag.
While the product looks deceptively simple, Markin in fact put careful thought into the design. The Check-Out Bag is reversible and, should rescuers be unable to find a post on which to display the checkmark, it can be turned around and filled with snow or some other weighty material to exhibit the checkmark. Because the Check-Out Bag is biodegradable, crews will not have to worry about retrieving the bags; they will simply disintegrate in about six months.
Emergency departments interested in testing out the product can contact Markin through his website: www.checkoutbag.ca.
Key Nelson contacts
Environmentally friendly living Biosustain Technologies is offering five-acre lots on new crown land in Nelson, Ymir and the West Kootenays as well as one-acre lots with waterfront living on the Columbia River; these developments feature engineered and sustainable building design with environmentally friendly land development. In addition to home design and building lots, Biosustain Technologies also offers construction services, topsoil, flagstone rock products and landscaping and property development.
Reaching MAX potential Roca Mines Inc. is focused on the outstanding mineral exploration and development potential located within British Columbia. Roca's primary asset is the MAX Molybdenum Project, located 60 kilometres southeast of Revelstoke, B.C. MAX is Canada's first new primary molybdenum mine in more than 30 years and B.C.'s first brand new metal mine in a decade. Regional economic benefits have already been realized, with community well-being and employee health as our primary goals Local environmental protection and community involvement are cornerstones to our success. Initial molybdenum concentrate production from the MAX Mine commenced in late 2007. Roca Mines Inc., and our wholly-owned subsidiary, FortyTwo Metals Inc., thank everyone who has taken part in building this exciting B.C.-based project.
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Bc Forest Safety Council 200-1055 West Hastings St Vancouver, BC PHONE: (604) 632-0211 WEBSITE: www.bcforestsafe.org
Sitka Log Homes 5454 Tatton Rd 100 Mile House, BC PHONE: (250) 791-6683 WEBSITE: www.sitkaloghomes.com
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Maglio Building Centre Ltd 29 Government RD. Nelson, BC PHONE: (250) 352-6661 WEBSITE: www.maglio.ca
Klohn Crippen Berger Ltd. (Vancouver) 500 2955 Virtual Way Vancouver, BC PHONE: (604) 669-3800 WEBSITE: www.klohn.com
Far from ordinary Nestled in the heart of the Canadian Rocky Mountains, the Wildstone community provides a sense of harmony between the wildness of nature and the comforts of a resort lifestyle like no other.
Situated just outside Cranbrook, B.C., the 900-acre Wildstone community will be more than 2,500 homes, comprised of a diverse variety of accommodation and living opportunities; from single-family homes, side-by-side villas, townhomes, multi-family homes, condominiums, and more. As well, the Gary Player Group has partnered with Wildstone to develop branded Player communities within the resort, including the future Gary Player Luxury Cabins and Gary Player Estate homes.
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Prestige Hotels & Resorts Prestige Hotels and Resorts are elegant, full-service, 4-1/2 star Canada Select hotels and resorts located in Cranbrook, Golden, Nelson, Radium Hot Springs and Rossland. Our luxurious rooms feature kitchenettes and theme Jacuzzi suites. Each guestroom features deluxe furnishings, refrigerator, coffeemaker, hairdryer, makeup mirror, iron and board, voice mail, data port, wireless high-speed internet access and pay-per-view movies.
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The Mining Association Of British Columbia Suite 900 808 West Hastings St Vancouver, BC PHONE: (604) 681-4321 WEBSITE: www.mining.bc.ca
B&R Door 7880 Express St Burnaby, BC PHONE: (604) 420-7909 WEBSITE: www.brdoor.ca
