Protective Services & Community Services Report: PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT FOR NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2020

PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT FOR NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2020

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:

Training Division:

• four members attended Resilient Minds training (mental health program)
• all members signed off on driving and operations of new Rescue 36
• three members completed interior operation written 1001 exams
• two members completed exterior operation 1001 exams
• new training protocols implemented in November due to second wave of COVID-19
• nightly training has now been implemented with the Public Safety Building being staffed twenty-four hours
• low training numbers in November and December due to COVID-19 and holiday season
• virtual Training Officer’s Meetings

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:
  • LGEPAC/REMP coordination conference calls
  • CRD Medical Health Officer conference calls
  • weekly/biweekly VIR Coordination conference calls with HEMBC/PREOC (COVID-19)
  • one meeting re: CRD – Public Alert Notification System. CRD is looking at a RFP for a service provider to ensure the most economical and practical platform. Upgrade with RAVE/ERMS may not be the only option at this time. We have until March 30 before service with ERMS is terminated. CRD continues to work to ensure a smooth transition to a new service provider before the termination date. Westshore Alert branding should remain.
• cabinet for storage of EOC and training supplies installed in the Beasley Room.
• purchasing of ESS grant items complete and final report will be submitted to UBCM in New Year. EOC grant purchase 90% complete.
• final report for evacuation grant funding approved and a $25,000 cheque from UBCM sent.
• EOC remains at Level 1 monitoring from EM Officer’s office.
• installation of new commercial radios deferred until 2021 as it will need to be approved in the Capital budget.
• shelving installed in ESS Group Lodging trailer and stocked with sleeping bags and cots.

Emergency Management Training:

• Emergency Preparedness and Business Continuity Conference – three-ESS, two-staff
• Intro to EM – nine-staff and volunteers (Col/VR)
• Intro to EOC – fourteen-staff and volunteers (Col/VR)
• ESS Level 1 – two-radio

Emergency Support Services:

The ESS Team had one callout this reporting period in Colwood for a tree into a residence with eight evacuees. No ESS Team meetings were held due to increased COVID-19 restrictions and the holiday season. Additional activities were as follows:

• updating of the ESS Plan; and
• delivery of thank you packages to all volunteers with letters from Mayors.

Emergency Radio Communications Team:

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Radio volunteers have met via radio (at home) weekly to keep up skills but have not held training sessions or meetings in municipal facilities. The following are activities this reporting period:

• Weekly Municipal Net X 4
• CRERCC work
• CRERCC Documents
• CRERCC Web Documents
• ESS Level 1 Training course and test
• Radio Work

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

Building Department:

November Permit Summary

December Permit Summary

Gary Faykes, Building Inspector

Bylaw Division:

November and December saw an increase in COVID-19 calls once again with the Public Health Orders creating stricter rules on the public.

2020 Summary

In March saw the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic for the Town of View Royal. The Bylaw Department continually adjusted the way it does business to stay aligned with the Public Health Orders. There were twenty-five files opened regarding COVID-19 and many phone calls and emails which have all been forwarded to the appropriate authority to be handled. This will be the practice moving forward until Provincial Health Orders state otherwise.

In 2020, the Bylaw Department received 675 complaints, an increase of 22% from 2019, and only three of these investigations will remain open into 2021. The significant increase in files is directly related to the pandemic however, none of the files being carried over into 2021 are due to the pandemic. The Bylaw Enforcement Officer issued 287 parking warnings, towed two vehicles, and issued fourteen MTI’s.

The fourteen MTI’s issued totaled $4,525; of that $2,050 has been paid with $2,475 outstanding. Payment hearings are being considered for five outstanding MTI’s totaling $2,300.

Mark Groulx, Bylaw Enforcement Officer

Chief’s Comments:

2020, where do I begin to give highlights of this interesting year? The pandemic challenged all departments within Protective Services. When the first restrictions were implemented in March 2020 no one could have imagined that nearly one year later we would still be under Public Health Orders.

As usual, staff and volunteers rose to the occasion, as front-line responders or our Inspectors and Bylaw Officers coming into work on a daily basis. Procedures and processes were modified continually to maintain levels of service and deliver services to our customers.

With stay-at-home orders, bylaw files increased significantly, our developments and construction realized a dramatic shift to almost no projects. Volunteer and career firefighters staffed the station 24/7 throughout the pandemic and continue to do so to limit exposure and still respond to emergencies. This coupled with enhanced response agreements with Langford and Colwood Fire Department, we managed to deliver timely and effective fire protection.

Several changes occurred in November and December with respect to staffing. I am working closely with our CAO to evaluate all aspect of public safety in View Royal to ensure we maintain a cost-effective model yet deliver a top tier product to the residents.

We are hopeful for a return to normal but are also cognizant that more normal will probably occur in 2022 rather than 2021.

As always, we appreciate the support from our Mayor and Council as well as management staff at Townhall.

Looking forward to a brighter year as we put 2020 behind us.

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

REVIEWED BY: Kim Anema, Chief Administrative Officer