Protective Services & Community Services Report: PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT FOR MARCH – APRIL 2018

PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT FOR MARCH – APRIL 2018

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:

• Regular fire inspections are being conducted as per our frequency of inspection guideline with a compliance rating of 98.04%.
• The department is currently reviewing plans and attending meetings with municipal staff and developers on four projects.
• The division delivered the following public education sessions:
  • four presentations to preschool/kindergarten groups totaling sixty-four children and twelve adults.
• During this period two fire investigations were concluded:
  • Lekwungen, Mar. 1st Crews responded to the above address for the report of structure fire. On arrival crews found smoke coming out of the eves of the roof from both ends. The initial crew found heavy smoke on the interior of the residence and were able to determine that the fire was in the party wall behind the wood stove. Crews opened the wall and were able to extinguish the fire and prevent any further extension or damage. On investigation it was determined that the cause of this fire was from radiant heat from the chimney pipe, where it penetrated the wall, igniting combustible wall components.
  • Gair Road, Mar. 12th Crews responded for the report of a working structure fire. On arrival crews found heavy fire and smoke coming from the first level of the house at the rear side. Initial attack made entrance through the rear and extinguished the fire. On investigation it was determined that the cause of this fire was from a heating blanket that shorted while on a recliner in the living room.

Work has begun on our June 9th Open House which will be a feature for the Fire Department’s 70th Anniversary. The division has also worked closely with the Emergency Program division in preparation for their Emergency Preparedness Fair on May 6th. During this period the department partnered with Camosun College again to provide fire education and fire extinguisher training for the BST level one course at their Interurban Campus.

Robert G. Marshall, Fire Prevention Officer

Training Division:

• nine members completed the Fire Officer 1, Fire Service Administration 1;
• nine members completed the Fire Officer 1, Frontline Leadership for the Fire Service 1;
• one member completed the NFPA 1002 Emergency Operations of a Fire Apparatus Train the Trainer;
• five members wrote the NFPA 1001 Chapter 1, Firefighter Safety and Communications;
• six members completed Defensive Driving;
• six members completed the NFPA 1001 practical exam;
• six members completed the online CREST training on proper care and use of CREST radios and the system;
• six members completed the online MSA-U training on care and use of SCBA;
• one member completed the SPP-WFF1 (forest fire training for structural firefighter) Train the Trainer;
• six spouses attended a one evening session on PTSD in the fire service;
• one member attended a one day session on PTSD in the fire service;
• Monday evening NFPA 1001 drill continues with the six probationary firefighters;
• Saturday drills are still being well attended; and
• one member completed their Class 3 Drivers Licence.

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:
  • two REMP public education working group meetings;
  • RECAC meeting;
  • Disaster Response Transportation Working Group;
  • School District No. 61 Stakeholders Meeting (Post Disaster Emergency Reunification);
  • Water Quality Symposium (CRD); and
  • Emergency Preparedness Fair Planning Committee.
• tsunami mapping for View Royal is being drafted in conjunction with the Engineering department;
• the Town will be using ERMS mass notification systems for future emergencies. Emergency Management is in the midst of working with the CRD and ERMS to set up a contract. The approximate cost will be $4,200 annually for 6,000 View Royal resident subscribers;
• UBCM ESS funding grant application for $25,000 for our EOC’s has been approved;
• response costs for tsunami response on January 23, 2018 were recovered from EMBC in the amount of $867;
• two emergency preparedness workshops delivered to approximately fifty residents - Silverwoods and St. Giles/Chancellor neighbourhoods;
• EM briefing was provided to parents at the Shoreline Middle School family information night;
• participation in Shoreline Middle School’s emergency evacuation and family reunification drill;
• earthquake safety presentation to View Royal Out of School Care staff (with the Fire Prevention Officer); and
• tsunami plan first draft completed.

Emergency Management Training:

• ICS 100 – 1 ESS; and
• Intro to EM in Canada – 1 ESS.

Emergency Support Services:

The ESS team had two callouts during this reporting period. The two calls were in View Royal for residents displaced from fires on Lekwungen Road (three evacuees) and Gair Road (four evacuees and two pets). Two monthly meetings were held and were well attended. Additional activities are as follows:

• ESSD regional meeting;
• assisted with emergency preparedness information sessions at Silverwoods;
• work party to organize public education materials, new storage room and ESS office;
• assisted with several tsunami and EP workshops in Colwood and View Royal;
• volunteer appreciation dinner - ESS Volunteers were recognized by the Town and the Province for contributions to the evacuation efforts during the 2017 Wildfires. PSLV service pins were also awarded to eligible team members.

Emergency Communications Team:

The team had the following activity during this period:

• net controller, inter-municipal net;
• attended the CRECC meeting;
• weekly nets on View Royal frequencies;
• weekly check in with inter-municipal net;
• volunteer appreciation dinner - PSLV service pins were awarded to eligible team members; and
• one new volunteer recruited.

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

Building Department:

The months of March and April continue to be busy with inspections and plan checks. The Building Department continues to be a proactive member of the building community and a good source of reference and guidance for those that need it. Our activity numbers show we are steady and strong.

March Permit Summary

April Permit Summary

[Chart: Permit Revenue Comparison Chart 2008-2018 showing permit revenue values by year]

Gary Faykes, Building Inspector

SUBMITTED BY:

Paul Hurst, Fire Chief/Director of Protective Services

REVIEWED BY:

Kim Anema, Chief Administrative Officer