Protective Services Report - PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT FOR NOV/DEC 2022

Protective Services Report

TO: Committee of the Whole FROM: Heath Bevan, Acting Fire Chief DATE: January 3, 2023 MEETING: January 10, 2023

PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT FOR NOV/DEC 2022

RECOMMENDATION: THAT the Committee receives this report for information.

CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER’S 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:

• The 2022 inspection year has concluded with over 95% completion.
• Public education has resumed with COVID-19 precautions in place.
• In November, an adult day program with sixteen participants attended a fire hall tour.
• During this reporting period, there was one fire investigation concluded as follows:

1300 block Admirals Road - Vehicle Fire Crews responded to a report of a vehicle on fire in the 1300 block of Admirals Road. At the scene, a Dodge truck had pulled over to the side of the road and all occupants were out of the vehicle. Crews deployed a hand line to extinguish an engine compartment fire. The fire was deemed to be accidental as there had been a mechanical/electrical failure in the engine compartment. Geoff Pitre, Fire Prevention Officer

Training Division:

• One Member completed Class 3 Drivers License
• One Member completed Airbrakes Endorsement
• Two Members completed Hazardous Materials Operations Level
• Four Members completed Incident Command System 200
• Three Members completed Fire Officer I
• One Member completed Classroom portion of Fire Officer II
• One Member completed Hazardous Materials Technician Level
• 1001 recruit training continues on Saturdays
• 2022 recruit class has finished the written portion of their 1001 Training
• Information session was held for new 2023 applicant class
• Attended Training Officers meetings
• High training hours in December were due to four members completing Fire Officer I & II 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:
  • Hazard, risk, and vulnerability analysis (HRVA) – Logic League
  • Public education planning
  • Earthquake Early Warning System Project meeting (CRD/NRCan and municipalities)
  • VR/Col ESSD meeting
  • REMP business planning meeting and Regional Forum for Emergency Program Act update
  • Heat Planning Grant project coordination meeting
  • ESS Meeting (Nov)
  • LGEPAC
  • IT Business Continuity Planning w/ESW
  • Coastal Adaption Planning w/Development Services
  • Shoreline School – EQ Evacuation Planning
  • Several weather-related coordination calls (EMBC, CRD)
• Two HRVA/Community Risk Assessment workshops w/ Logic League, Town staff, ESS, and Radio
• EPBC Conference - EM Officer
• VR/Colwood Emergency Radio Team merger agreement approved by Colwood and View Royal Councils
• EOC Grant purchases and services completed include EOC Laptop replacement and commercial radio install at PSB. EOC training and Commercial, radio install at Town Hall will be completed in 2023

Emergency Management Training:

• ICS 100 – 1 ESS
• Intro to EM – 1 ESS
• Intro to EOC – 1 ESS

Emergency Support Services:

The ESS Team had one callout this reporting period to Metchosin Road in the City of Colwood for a structure fire for one occupant, however, no assistance was required. One ESS Team meeting was held and well attended in person and virtually. One new volunteer recruited. Additional activities were as follows:

• ESS administrative work and Director’s meetings – Director and Deputies
• Vancouver Island Regional ESS Advanced Planning
• ESS Leadership meeting
• ESS Office furnishings and organization.
• Meeting with Church of Advent in Colwood; contract renewal
• Meeting w/ RRU staff re. group lodging opportunities using dorms for evacuees
• Colwood Emergency Planning meeting
• ESS coordination and training meetings with Langford and Esquimalt ESS

Emergency Radio Communications Team:

The View Royal Radio team has officially merged with Colwood’s team. The Emergency Radio Coordinator has been revamping training and radio net nights to integrate all volunteers with orientation with both municipalities’ stations. The joint team has been working very well together so far and the Colwood volunteers have returned in force to make for a formidable team.

Volunteer hours for the VR/Col Communications Team:

The following are activities this reporting period:

• JDF Radio group equipment upgrading
• Administration and documentation
• Radio maintenance, testing, and updates, computer updating
• Weekly municipal net
• Chair and record the CRERCC Meeting and other CRECC work Troy Mollin, Emergency Program Officer Pam Rivers, Emergency Social Services Director Ed McCarthy, Emergency Radio Coordinator

Bylaw Division:

In 2022, Bylaw received 800 files and only eight of these investigations will remain open into 2023. Bylaw also issued fifty MTIs – an 82% increase over 2021.

The fifty MTIs issued totaled $5,460 and of that total, the Bylaw Department did not pursue twenty MTIs (totaling $1,225) for varying reasons including out of town plates, vehicle destruction upon impound and tickets under $50. $3,540 has been paid with $695 outstanding. Payment hearings are not being considered for any outstanding MTIs as most are under $100.

Bike Patrol

The Bylaw Officer spent 103.25 hours on bike patrol between April 25 and October 21, 2022 generating forty-seven files.

Graffiti

In 2022, the Bylaw Department teamed up with the Engineering Department to tackle graffiti within the Town of View Royal. This includes engaging with the CRD, Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, Island Rail Corridor and BC Hydro to assist with the success of the program. The Bylaw Officer also secured sponsorship with Canadian Tire for supplies needed for cleanup. Of the thirty-one bylaw files regarding graffiti, there is only one open file heading into 2023. This program will continue in 2023.