PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT FOR JULY/AUGUST 2022

PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT FOR JULY/AUGUST 2022

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT the Committee receive this report for information.

CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER’S 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 departmental guidelines. The current inspection program has both shifts conducting a company inspection model. Complex inspections are being conducted by either the Fire Inspector or the Fire Chief.
• Monthly inspections for July and August have been 100% completed.
• Currently conducting inspections for September and October.
• Public Education has resumed with COVID-19 precautions and the Fire Chief’s approval.
• During this reporting period, there were seven (7) fire investigations concluded as follows:

July 16, 2022, Garbage Fire - Burnett Road Engine 39 responded to report of a dumpster fire at Fort Victoria. Fire was partially extinguished upon arrival. Cause unknown, possible discarded coals/ashes from a BBQ could have ignited the contents of the dumpster.

July 24, 2022, Brush Fire - at Mill Hill just off the TransCanada Highway Days Shift responded to report of a brush fire near Mill Hill. Engine 39 and Langford Engine 1 discovered near the border a 10’x15’ brush fire. Fire was in a camp; fire was human caused.

August 4, 2022, Structure Fire – Camas Lane Day Shift responded to report of a structure fire on Camas Lane. Light smoke showing from rear of single-family patio home. Planter at rear side of the structure had caught fire several hours earlier. Fire damaged the sliding door to the structure, no extension into the structure. Fire caused by discarded smoker’s material.

August 14, 2022, Brush Fire – Thetis Lake (Gas Trail) Engine 39 and Brush 32 responded to the Bus turnaround on Highland Road. Caller met crew. Caller escorted crews to an abandoned fire approximately 500’ towards Thetis Lake just off the Capital Regional District’s (CRD) Gas Line trail. Fire was extinguished with pressurized water extinguisher, roughly 2’x2’ in size.

August 18, 2022, Brush Fire – Francis King Trail (Thetis Lake) Engine 39, Brush 32 and Colwood Tanker 58 responded to the Francis King Trail in Thetis Lake for a deep burning ground fire. Fire discovered by hikers in the area. Fire approximately 750 meters in off Highland Road. Crews extinguished the fire with forestry equipment. Fire patrolled for 3-5 days following. British Columbia Wildfire Service (BCWS) not required.

August 27, 2022, Brush Fire – Highland Road (Thetis Lake – Seymour Hill) View Royal Fire received report of a fire in this park on top of Seymour Hill. Crews mustered at first light to extinguish approximately a one-acre forest fire. BCWS attended and assisted with wildfire operations. CRD contacted to attend and arrived later in the operation. Fire was a result of a homeless camp. Fire extinguished that day but was monitored for hot spots for several days after.

August 29, 2022, Structure Fire – Evelyn Heights Westshore fire departments received report of a structure fire on Evelyn Heights. Smoke showing from the eaves upon arrival. Occupants had evacuated and it was determined the fire was on second floor. Crews extinguished the fire and contained the fire to the room of origin. Fire was accidental and electrical in nature. Damage estimated at $200,000.

Geoff Pitre, Fire Prevention Officer

Training Division:

Low training hours and attendance due to summer vacations

• 2 members completed Class 3 endorsement on driver’s license
• 10 members completed SPP-WFF1 (Forestry Fire Fighting)
• Regular evening drills on shift continued
• 1001 Saturday training continued
• Recruits completed 2, 1001 written exams each leaving only 3 exams left to complete the written portion of 1001 training
• 1 firefighter completed NFPA1001 Training Certificate
• 2 members completed First Responder re-certification

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
  • Public Education planning
  • Heat response planning with Colwood and Langford and local churches
  • EMBC Heat event coordination
  • VR/Col ESSD meeting
  • IT Business Continuity with ESW
  • Col VR Radio Team merger briefing – proposal to merge well received by Radio volunteers
  • Colwood Emergency Planning Committee.
  • Tsunami Information Portal Meetings (EMBC, CRD)
• HRVA/Community Risk Assessment ongoing w/ Logic League
• Mass care research interview with JIBC Staff/Faculty
• Heat preparedness brochures drafted and distributed to vulnerable populations.
• 2022 UBCM Heat Assessment and Planning Grant drafted and submitted

Emergency Management Training:

• Training suspended for summer

Emergency Support Services:

The ESS Team had one callout this reporting period to Evelyn Heights for four adults and pets displaced by a structure fire. No meetings during summer break. 1 new volunteer recruited. Additional activities were as follows:

• ESS administrative work – Director and Deputies
• Work with Church of the Advent to plan for heat events and Reception Centre
• Assisted with distribution of heat preparedness brochures
• ESS Office organization, and furniture setup
• ESS leadership meeting
• ESS meet and greet in Colwood

Emergency Radio Communications Team:

The View Royal Radio team stayed engaged despite a summer break and are working towards the pending merger with Colwood’s team. The Emergency Radio Coordinator continues to assist in a leadership role to provide direction to the Colwood Emergency Radio program.

The following are activities this reporting period:

• JDF Radio group meeting
• Meetings with Colwood EPC
• Radio maintenance, testing, and updates, computer updating
• Weekly municipal net
• Assisted with ESS booth at Eats and Beats in Colwood
• Continue work with Colwood EPC to revitalize Colwood Emergency Communications.

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

Bylaw Division:

July and August saw a significant increase in parking complaints and tickets. This activity is not uncommon as more people come to View Royal in the summer to enjoy Thetis Lake, water access and parks.

Jim Henly, Bylaw Enforcement Officer

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

REVIEWED BY: Kim Anema, Chief Administrative Officer