PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT FOR MARCH TO APRIL 2022

Protective Services & Community Services Report

TO: Committee of the Whole DATE: May 4, 2022 FROM: Paul Hurst, Director of Protective Services MEETING: May 10, 2022

PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT FOR MARCH TO APRIL 2022

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 are being conducted as per Fire Department guidelines and are back on regular scheduling. The current inspection program has both shifts conducting a company inspection model. Complex inspections are being conducted by the Fire Inspector or Fire Chief.
• Monthly inspections for March and April have been 100% completed.
• Public Education has resumed with COVID precautions and the Fire Chief’s approval.
• VRFD Annual Open House is planned for September 24, 2022.
• During this reporting period there was one fire investigation concluded as follows:

March 24, 2022 – 1400 Block Craigflower Road Day Shift responded to report of a structure fire in the townhouse complex in the 1400 block of Craigflower Road. Upon arrival there was smoke showing from the second-floor window. Engine 39 proceeded to pull attack lines and commence a quick attack offensive operation. Colwood and Langford attended as per Westshore Auto Aid agreements. Attack crew quickly discovered a smoldering vent limited fire in a child’s bedroom. The structure was vented, and fire was extinguished. There was heavy smoke damage to the unit and the room contents were consumed. There was no fire extension in the unit, there was some water damage to additional units. ESS attended to assist with the displaced family. The causation of the fire was determined to be a youth firesetter. Investigation Team has followed all appropriate Youth Firesetter Intervention protocols and has followed up with the family.

Geoff Pitre, Fire Prevention Officer

Training Division:

• 5 Members Completed First Responder Certification
• 4 Members Completed Red Cross First Responder Certification and Emergency Medical Assistance License
• 1 Member completed Class 3 Drivers License
• 2 Members completed Class 3 Learners License
• 5 Members have completed 3-1001 written exams each
• 5 members have completed 2 practical evaluations each
• Members attended a “show and tell” at Langford Fire with Colwood. Crews spent night shift getting to know responding apparatus and on shift fire fighters
• 1 Member attended CRD Haz Mat Technician training

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:
  • HRVA – Logic League
  • LGEPAC
  • ESS Monthly meeting
  • REMP Community visit
  • Nuclear Emergency Response Ex practice
  • Public Education planning
  • Tsunami Mapping/Risk Project (REMP)
  • Earthquake Early warning.
  • Colwood Emergency Planning Committee.
  • RRU MADEM Community Engagement
• Tsunami Awareness public education via ZOOM
• Disaster Assessment Route maps complete
• HRVA/Community Risk Assessment ongoing w/ Logic League
• ESS van repairs complete

Emergency Management Training:

• Amateur Radio License course – 1 Radio
• Information Officer – 1 FF
• Emergency Management Certificate completion – 1 ESS
• Northern Emergency ESS conference - ESSD

Emergency Support Services:

The ESS Team had one callout this reporting period to the 1400 block of Craigflower Road for a family of three displaced by a structure fire. Two ESS Team meetings were held and well attended in person. Congratulations to ESS volunteer, M. Fehr, who completed her Emergency Management Certificate through the JIBC. Two new volunteers recruited. Additional activities were as follows:

• ESS administrative work – Director and Deputies
• Work party: EP Brochure draft, inventory clean up, contact list updates, ESS uniform jacket distribution
• ESS office moved, and new desk ordered.
• ESS Sea Container shelving installed and stocked
• Meeting w/ Colwood fire staff taking on Emergency Management. Provided briefing on ESS operations
• ESS Modernization review of ERA platform
• Update Vendor agreements
• Exploring other facilities for ESS to use e.g., Emery Hall in Colwood. Colwood City Hall no longer available to ESS for meetings.

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 now are once again back in municipal buildings for training and meetings. One new volunteer recruited.

The following are activities this reporting period:

• In-house volunteer training
• Administration and documentation
• CRECC and VR E-Comms reporting
• Radio Maintenance and computer updating
• Weekly municipal net
• Meeting w/New Horizons (JDF) amateur radio re: coordination and support

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

Bylaw Division:

The Ministry of Transportation is in the process of cleaning up highway corridor areas within the Town of View Royal and the Bylaw Department is hopeful that it will mitigate complaints regarding these problem areas.

The Bylaw Department has purchased a bike and all associated equipment to start a new bike program. This program will consist of the Bylaw Officer spending a portion of each week biking throughout View Royal and its parks. This is a green initiative as well as it gives more visibility in the parks as park use increases with the sunny weather.

Staff are working in conjunction with VIHA to establish guidelines and expectations regarding false alarms at VGH in order to mitigate calls and establish a plan for penalties.

Jim Henly, Bylaw Enforcement Officer

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

REVIEWED BY: Kim Anema, Chief Administrative Officer