PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2019

PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2019

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 and Public Education:

• Regular fire inspections are being conducted as per our frequency of inspection guideline with a compliance rating of 99%.
• The department is currently reviewing plans and attending meetings with municipal staff and developers on one project.
• The division delivered four public education sessions during this period including the PARTY program at VGH as well as our Fireworks Safety Course.
• During this period three fire investigations were concluded as follows:
  • Sept. 12th – Island Highway Crews responded for the report of a vehicle fire at the above location. Upon arrival crews found smoke and flame coming from the engine compartment. Crews extinguished the fire containing it to the engine compartment and preventing it from entering the passenger compartment. Upon investigation it was determined that the fire started as a result of a mechanical failure in the engine’s battery.
  • Oct. 9th – Craigflower Road Crews responded to the 1200 blk of Craigflower Road for the report of a structure fire. On arrival crews found three trailers/5th wheels on fire as well as two vehicles. Crews were able to contain the fire and prevent any further spread to adjacent homes. Upon investigation it was determined that the fire started in the middle trailer and spread to the adjacent trailers and vehicles. This fire is deemed as accidental.
  • Oct. 22nd – Island Highway Crews responded to the above address for the report of smoke in the structure. On arrival crews found that the attic was full of smoke and smoke was starting to accumulate on the 2nd floor. Crews were able locate a fire in the wall beside the oven in the kitchen on the 1st floor and extinguished it to prevent further travel in the walls. Upon investigation it was determined that the fire started as a result of the oven being placed against the wall causing the inside of the wall to ignite.

The Division continues to work with Surrey dispatch, as well as our Training Division, to implement the new Mobile Data Terminals (MDT’s) in the trucks. Work on rebuilding our website continues and the division has started the new school year with the PARTY Program at VGH.

Robert G. Marshall, Fire Prevention Officer

Training Division:

• three members completed Fire Officer 1 Certificate;
• two members completed ICS 200 (Incident Command System);
• four members completed ESM 1 (Emergency Scene Management);
• six members attended two-day Aerial Strategies and Tactics Course held at View Royal with six members from Colwood also attending;
• five recruits attended Live Fire Training at Otter Point;
• six senior members attended Live Fire Training at Otter Point;
• two members attended Fire Hydrant information session hosted by CRD water;
• three members attended Advanced Forcible Entry course hosted by Prepare-4 in Cowichan Bay;
• four members attended Office of the Fire Commissioner Task Force Leader course;
• members of the Fire Department attended Shake-Out scenario; and
• members attended joint training scenario with Langford and Colwood Fire Departments.

Heath Bevan, Training Officer

Emergency Management Division:

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

• EM Officer attended the following meetings:
  • Health EMBC (VIHA) - Shakeout Exercise Planning;
  • REMP – CAO Exercise briefing;
  • LGEPAC – CEPF Evacuation Planning Grant Coordination; and
  • Container orientation – View Royal Elementary Administration.
• coordinated and facilitated Shakeout Exercise for Town staff and volunteers;
• 150 blankets donated to Emergency Program from VIHA; and
• additional emergency supplies purchased.

Emergency Management Training:

• Amateur Radio Licensing Course – one FF, four ESS, two Radio Team;
• ICS 300: one FF;
• EOC training – sixteen Town staff;
• Emergency Preparedness Conference - one ESS;
• Reception Centre – two ESS;
• Registration and Referral – two ESS;
• Critical Incident Support Training – one ESS; and
• ESS Orientation - three ESS.

Emergency Support Services:

The ESS team had two callouts this reporting period in View Royal and Highlands: six displaced residents from Blue Valley Road (Highlands) due to structure fire; three displaced residents due to trailer fire one Craigflower Road.

Two ESS Team meetings were held and well attended. Additional activities were as follows:

• ESSD and ESS Planning Meeting;
• Colwood Emergency Management meeting;
• Reception Centre Exercise at Juan de Fuca Senior Centre;
• tabletop exercise for Shakeout – ten ESS team members;
• work parties; and
• two new volunteers recruited.

Emergency Communications Team:

The team was busy for this reporting period. The following activities are most notable:

• Weekly Municipal Net X 8;
• host Amateur Radio Licensing Course;
• ERTEX Exercise;
• four volunteers participated in BC Shakeout Exercise;
• yool kit assembly;
• team Meeting;
• two new volunteers recruited;
• computer setup – Two new laptops purchased for mobile use of packet; and
• radio work and purchased new UHF/VHF radio and antenna.

Troy Mollin, Emergency Management Officer Ruth Reynolds, Emergency Support Services Director Ed McCarthy, Emergency Radio Coordinator

Building Department:

September and October were months that a review of procedures for file management and permit expiration was analyzed. Better tracking practices have been developed to give timely notice to permit holders when permits will be expiring. This practice has seen an addition to the activity chart below. A row to include “letters drafted and sent” has now been included as this is a statistic that reflects time used effectively by staff to improve customer service.

Also, to note, the Building and Planning Departments have met to discuss step code, implications and what is required for implementation. A result of this meeting saw the Notice of Consultation submitted to the Province.

September Permit Summary

October Permit Summary

Gary Faykes, Building Inspector

Bylaw Department:

In consultation with Director of Protective Services and the Chief Administrative Officer, the Bylaw Department issued a cease and desist harassment letter to a resident of the Town of View Royal who has been repeatedly harassing the employees of the Town and other residents over the last year. The resident is now required to only contact the Bylaw Department via electronic communication or by mail to minimize the threatening and intimidating behavior displayed by the resident when engaging employees.

In order to mitigate going through another cease and desist letter process the Bylaw Department is looking into a harassment policy. Consultation with other bylaw departments in the region and agencies has commenced in the hopes of having a policy developed and approved early 2020.

Bylaw has had a few tree cutting files over the past two months all resulting in fines.

Mark Groulx, Bylaw Enforcement Officer

Chief’s Comments:

A very busy couple months with respect to fire activity. Two serious fires occurred on Craigflower Road and Island Highway. The Craigflower Road event quickly spread prior to Fire Department arrival because of numerous venting propane tanks. The potential for loss of life was apparent, however fire crews from Colwood, Esquimalt and View Royal worked closely and tirelessly to control the fire quickly after arrival. Thanks to BC Transit and our ESS team for accommodating displaced residents.

The Island Highway (Four Mile Pub) fire generated a response from four separate departments, Colwood, Langford, Esquimalt and View Royal. Given the complexity of the building and the hidden fire, several interior crews worked for close to an hour to locate and extinguish the fire. The resulting damage and remediation will keep this business closed until January 2020. The View Royal Firefighters Association (VRFFA) is planning a fundraising event to assist the staff with lost wages/tips over the holiday season.

Our Emergency Program conducted the annual Shake Out exercise. Thank you to all staff and managers for your participation in this important drill.

Halloween events at the station were well attended by the residents, with approximately 600 visitors to the station Halloween night. The following weekend the VRFFA hosted the annual pumpkin drop to raise funds and awareness for Movember. There were no callouts for service on Halloween day or evening.

2020 Budget preparations are nearing completion. The replacement rescue truck ordered late 2018 is scheduled for delivery April 2020.

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

REVIEWED BY: Kim Anema, Chief Administrative Officer