Protective Services Report - PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT FOR MARCH/APRIL 2023

Protective Services Report

TO: Committee of the Whole FROM: Paul Hurst, Director of Protective Services DATE: May 3, 2023 MEETING: May 9, 2023

PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT FOR MARCH/APRIL 2023

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT the Committee receives this report for information.

CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER COMMENTS

I concur with the recommendation

PURPOSE OF REPORT:

To update the Committee on the operations of the Fire Department.

DISCUSSION:

Fire Prevention Inspection & Public Education:

• March and April inspections observed 100% completion.
• Hall tours for View Royal organizations have resumed, 24 Embers (Brownies) attended.
• ESS Staff received fire extinguisher training.
• View Royal Fire Department Open House June 10th 10am – 2pm
• During this reporting period there were 3 fire investigations.

View Royal Avenue – Structure Fire (Residential)

March 22, 2023, at 09:08 View Royal Fire responded to an address on View Royal Avenue for report of a structure fire. On arrival reported smoke showing from the basement. Crews were challenged by the overgrown yard before gaining access to the working fire in the basement kitchen. Crew from Engine 39 aggressively attacked the basement kitchen fire. Significant fuel load was observed within the residence. Fire was contained to the room of origin. Auto Aid Departments assisted with overhaul and RIT operations. The fire investigation determined to be unattended cooking.

Talcott Road – Structure Fire (Residential)

April 1, 2023, at 02:05am View Royal Fire responded to an address on Talcott Road for report of a structure fire. Upon arrival, RCMP were on scene. Crew discovered a smoldering exterior wall. The renter had used a garden hose to knock down the fire prior to the Fire Departments arrival. Crews checked for extension and vented the structure for odor. Fire was contained to the exterior wall. No extension was found. Fire is currently under RCMP investigation.

1 Hospital Way (South Tower) – Hospital

April 4, 2023, at 11:29 View Royal Fire responded to the above address for report of a hospital room on fire. Upon arrival Fire Protection Officers informed Command of two rooms intentionally set on fire. Mutual Aid and Auto Aid were immediately requested by Command upon receiving confirmation of multiple rooms on fire. Attack Crews were deployed to the 4th floor of the South Tower. Upon arrival on the 4th Floor, staff were in the process of VGH protocols of sheltering in place. Attack Crew discovered room 409 was filled with smoke and a smoldering fire in the bathroom. Langford Attack crew discovered the second fire located in room 417. Room 417 was also filled with smoke and a pile of material was smoldering in the bathroom. Both fires had been extinguished by VGH staff with dry chemical extinguishers and wet towels. Attack Crews then proceeded with an extensive ventilation plan to rid the 4th floor of smoke. Up to 6 PPV fans were used as well as the HVAC system was utilized in extracting the smoke. RCMP attended. Fire was intentionally set.

Geoff Pitre, Fire Prevention Officer

Training Division:

• Seven Members completed Emergency Traffic Control
• Eight Members attended NFPA 1002 Emergency Vehicle Operations
• Five Members completed Hazardous Materials Awareness
• Five members attended Hazardous Operations
• 3 NFPA 1001 Written Exams completed
• One Member completed Pleasure Craft Operations
• Members completed AED CPR refresher course for enfants
• One member completed Emergency Medical Responder (EMR)
• One new recruit registered in 1001 Training
• Attended CREST working group meeting
• Attended CREST Paging Group meeting
• Attended Office of the Fire Commissioner Risk Management Meeting
• New recruits completed BC Hydro Safety for Fire Fighters and First Responders, CREST Radio Operations, Thermal Imaging Camera Use and Gas Detector User.
• Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team trained at VRFD
• New recruit class is working through 1001 training on Saturday mornings
• One Member completed Fire Leadership II
• Three members Completed Fire Officer I

Heath Bevan, Training Officer

Emergency Program:

The following are the most noteworthy activities and events for the Emergency Program this reporting period:

• The EM Officer attended the following meetings:
  • HRVA– Logic League
  • Public Education planning
  • ESS Meeting
  • EP Fair Planning Meeting X 2
  • HEMBC – VGH
  • LGEPAC (Hosted at VR PSB)
  • Early Earthquake Warning Project
• Tsunami Preparedness Week
  • Tsunami Preparedness Workshop held on April 13 - 12 residents attended
  • Twitter/FB Tsunami pub ed messaging and engagement
• HRVA with Logic League for edits and updates 95% complete
• Commercial radio (portable station) set up at Parks Dept
• NER Exercise - CFB Esquimalt
• Drafting of 2023 UBCM FireSmart Grant proposal continues
• Planning for the 2023 EP fair is in its final stages. This is the first time in 4 years we have coordinated and participated in this event. It takes place May 7 11am-3pm.
• Assisted CRD with updated information for Dam Emergency Plan

Emergency Management Training:

• ERA2 workshop – 6 ESS, 1 Radio
• Intro to Emergency Management – 4 ESS, 1 Radio 5 Songhees
• Intro to EOC – 3 ESS, 1 Radio, 3 Songhees, 8 City of Colwood

Emergency Support Services:

The ESS Team had one callout this reporting period (see below). Two ESS Team meetings were held and well attended in person. One new volunteer recruited. Additional activities were as follows:

Emergency Radio Communications Team:

The View Royal Radio team has been busy conducting weekly municipal communication nets, team meetings, and have team members from both municipalities staff different station every week. The joint team continues to flourish. One new member recruited.

The following are activities this reporting period:

• Worked on tower antenna for Colwood Firehall
• Administration and documentation: SOP documents for each Radio Station
• Radio maintenance, testing, and updates, computer updating
• CMU Packet Document Development
• Asset inventory for each Station
• Online and team training and cross training in house
• Telus Saanich Speaker Series Event - Saanich
• Assist with coordination and tasks for EP Fair
• Preparedness 100 speaker series: Telus - disaster comms
• ERTEX Exercise
• Colwood EP Meeting

Volunteer hours for the VR/Col Communications Team YTD: 310 hours

Troy Mollin, Emergency Program Officer Pam Rivers, Emergency Social Services Director Ed McCarthy, Emergency Radio Coordinator

Bylaw Division:

The categorization of bylaw infractions can help prioritize investigations and allocate resources effectively. The Town of View Royal policy summarizes bylaw infractions into three categories - low, medium, and high - based on their severity. I will discuss the proportion of investigations falling under each category and highlight a case that was classified as a high priority.

Categorization of Bylaw Infractions:

1. Low Priority: Bylaw infractions that fall under the low priority category are those that are relatively minor in nature and pose minimal risk to public safety. Examples of such infractions include minor traffic violations, noise, 72-hour parking violations (RV’s) and minor property deprivation. Investigations into low-priority infractions are typically closed without a formal charge.
2. Medium Priority: Bylaw infractions that fall under the medium priority category are those that are more serious than low priority infractions but do not pose an immediate threat to public safety nor compromise any legal integrity of the Town of View Royal. Examples of such infractions would be the un-permitted cutting/trimming of trees, unsafe fencing or retaining wall dilapidation. Investigations into medium-priority infractions typically result in moderate resources and may result in formal charges if sufficient evidence is found (recently a Property Owner was levied a $1000.00 fine).
3. High Priority: Bylaw infractions that fall under the high priority category are those that pose an immediate threat to public safety and/or the status of the Town of View Royal and are particularly severe in nature. An example of such infractions includes a property in such disrepair the health and status of residents and their respective properties are compromised. Investigations into high priority infractions are typically given significant resources and are prioritized over other cases.

Proportion of Investigations:

Since the last COW report most investigations fell under the low-priority category, with few medium-priority cases and one high-priority case. Specifically, 85% of investigations were classified as low-priority, 10% were medium-priority, and 5% were high-priority.

Case Example:

The high-priority case in our sample involved a property with numerous infractions impacting the health and welfare of not only the homeowner but also proximate neighbours. The investigation involved extensive on-site assessment visits as well as coordination with other departments (Fire, Building and Bylaw). The property owner was eventually charged with multiple counts of bylaw offenses resulting in the posting of a Schedule D and a Notice to Comply. This case continues to be monitored.

Our new Bylaw Enforcement Officer has acclimated into his new role effortlessly. The Department has a few complex files on the go regarding unsightly properties that we are working towards resolution.

Brad Cameron, Bylaw Enforcement Officer

SUBMITTED BY: Paul Hurst, Fire Chief/Director of Protective Services

REVIEWED BY: Kim Anema, Chief Administrative Officer