PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT FOR MAY-JUNE 2021

Protective Services & Community Services Report

TO: Committee of the Whole FROM: Paul Hurst, Director of Protective Services DATE: July 8, 2021 MEETING: July 13, 2021

PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT FOR MAY-JUNE 2021

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:

• Inspections have resumed for April, May, and June.
• Surrey Dispatch is finalizing Mobile Inspections for in the field application.
• One Juvenile Fire Setter Intervention conducted with Capt. Mollin.
• During this reporting period the BC Wildfire Rating system achieved the Extreme rating.
• During this reporting period there were 3 fire investigations concluded as follows:

June 3rd – High Street Fire discovered by employees the morning of June 3rd. Bathroom ceiling fan had failed and filled building with smoke and soot. Fan was pulled down and ceiling opened to check for extension. Building was ventilated and searched for extension. Damage approximated at $10,000. Fire determined as accidental.

June 27th – Hallowell Road Occupants of trailer on Hallowell Road drove to the Firehall and notified the day shift of a smoldering mattress beside a house on Hallowell Road. Crews attended emergency and discovered a small 1’x1’ mattress fire. Scene was documented, fire extinguished and smoke detector given to occupant of the trailer. Damaged estimated at $500 for contents only. No issue to the structure.

June 27th – View Royal Avenue Fire occurred while conducting repairs on an inboard motor on a boat. Fire contained to the vessel located in a driveway at the above residence. The owner suffered significant burn injuries because of the fire. Damage estimates $2500.

Geoff Pitre, Fire Prevention Officer

Training Division:

• 1 Member completed Class 3 Drivers License
• 2 Members completed SOFA (Safe Operation of a Fire Apparatus)
• 1 Member completed Air Brakes endorsement for Class 5 Drivers License
• 2 Members completed Red Cross First Responder recertification exam
• 4 Members completed 1001 module 11 exams
• 5 Members working on Fire Officer II Courses
• 1 Member completed Fire Service Instructor I
• Attended Training Officers monthly zoom meeting
• Training continues with members training on night shifts

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:
  • REMP coordination conference calls
  • CRD Medical Health Officer conference calls
  • weekly/biweekly VIR Coordination conference calls with HEMBC/PREOC (COVID-19)
  • 2 X meetings re: CRD – Public Alert Notification System.
  • ESS Director X2
• 2020 ESS Grant been approved by UBCM for payment of over $24,000 to View Royal.
• The 2020 Community Wildfire Resiliency planning grant approval has been denied.
• State of Emergency for Province rescinded. EM Officer will continue to monitor COVID 19 info but EOC is officially stood down.
• Commercial Radio Frequency application for View Royal submitted to Innovation, Technology and Economic Development Canada. This will be for our new commercial radios that fill emergency communications gaps between CREST and amateur radio for Town staff. Can also be used day to day.

Emergency Management Training:

• ESS webinars and in-house training (36 hrs.)
• Vancouver Island Emergency Preparedness Conference (4 ESS)
• PEASI Alertable user training – 2 staff
• Logic League training sessions via Teams for View Royal and Colwood Staff and volunteers:
  • View Royal Emergency Evacuation Plan Orientation
  • EOC Leadership
  • EOC: Working in teams

Emergency Support Services:

The ESS Team had no callouts this reporting period. Two ESS Team meetings were held via ZOOM and were well attended. Additional activities were as follows:

• ESS Administration - 15 hrs.
• ESS Training
• Regional ESS Directors meeting
• Level 1 responder meeting
• One new volunteer recruited.

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. However, some maintenance and check-ins have been taking place from the VR PSB and Town Hall radio rooms to ensure municipal radio equipment is up to date and functional. The following are activities this reporting period:

• Weekly Municipal Net X 4
• CRERCC meeting
• Radio Maintenance
• Commercial radio box (X2) construction completed.

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

Building Department:

May Permit Summary

June Permit Summary

Revenue Summary

Bylaw Division:

May and June both saw an increase of motorhomes parked on the road and campers in the parks and all have been encouraged to seek a proper shelter provided in Victoria, B.C.

June saw a significant increase in noise complaints with over half from construction occurring outside the prescribed limits outlined within the Noise Bylaw No. 523. Currently investigating numerous “Unsightly Property” complaints. Calls for service within the department are higher (22%) than this time last year.

Mark Groulx, Bylaw Enforcement Officer

Chiefs Comments:

It is with regret that I advise the Committee of the untimely and unexpected death of a friend and colleague, Colwood Fire Chief John Cassidy. John succumbed to injuries sustained at work 2 weeks earlier. Chief Cassidy died on June 23/2021 at home. Chief Cassidy served as Colwood Chief from 2017 until his passing. This year marked Johns 30th year in the BC Fire service as a member of Whistler Fire and Colwood Fire. John was an integral part of the Westshore Fire Command Team, and his presence will be greatly missed. A memorial service is planned for July 10/2021

June welcomed the relaxation of COVID restrictions as per the Public Health order. These relaxations have resulted in the resumption of onsite fire inspections. The department will follow guidance from the Province with respect to re-opening the Public Safety Building in July and September.

Building permits and inspections are being maintained at historical levels with no concerns.

The Bylaw Division has seen an increase in homeless camps as well as motorhomes parked on streets by people seeking shelter. Several motorhomes have been advised of the parking regulations and moved on because of Officer contact.

Fire department calls for service spiked significantly in June. Several issues were the result, with an ongoing overdose issue as well as calls related to the heat wave in late June. Unfortunately, the department responded to an increase in deaths related to heat as well as overdoses.

The June heatwave resulted in the fire rating for View Royal being moved to Extreme. This also heightened awareness as preparation by the department for wildfire risk. The Fire chief was put on standby for response to wildfires in the Province as part of the Provincial Incident Command Team.

The department is preparing to implement our 24-hour shift schedule on July 4/2021. This initiative will provide 24/7 in station staffing by career and on call members. A report will follow in the next quarter that outlines the success or challenges with the new program.

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

REVIEWED BY: Kim Anema, Chief Administrative Officer