PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022

Protective Services Report

TO: Committee of the Whole DATE: November 1, 2022 FROM: Paul Hurst, Director of Protective Services MEETING: November 8, 2022

PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 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 September and October are currently being conducted.
• Public Education has resumed with COVID-19 precautions and the Fire Chief’s approval.
• Extinguisher Training at Four Mile Co-op – 5 participants had hands-on training as well as a PowerPoint presentation on extinguisher use (October 15).
• Halloween Community Event at the Firehall October 31st 6 PM – 9 PM.
• During this reporting period there was one fire investigation concluded as follows:

October 6, 2022, Structure Fire – Cooper Road (Single-wide mobile home) Westshore fire departments received a report of a structure fire at a dwelling on Cooper Road. Engine 39 arrived with smoke showing upon arrival. Occupants had evacuated the structure upon arrival. Heavy smoke and fire conditions reported as crews entered the structure. Crews extinguished the fire and searched for fire extension throughout the structure. The fire was extinguished by Westshore fire departments. The structure was heavily damaged. The fire was determined to be accidental as an object had fallen out of a wood burning stove.

Geoff Pitre, Fire Prevention Officer

Training Division:

• 4 members completed Safe Operation of a Fire Apparatus (SOFA)
• 1 member completed ICS-100
• 4 members completed airbrakes endorsement for driver’s license
• 1 member completed Hazardous Materials Awareness
• 1 member completed Advance Fire Code
• 2 members attended 1 day seminar on Workplace Leadership Wellness
• View Royal Fire hosted a 1-day auto extrication information session for the paramedic academy
• 21 members attended Halloween night at the Fire Department
• Members trained with the RCMP on forcible entry
• Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team (GVERT) trained and completed recruit process at the Fire Department
• Naval Tactical Operations Group (NTOG) trained and completed recruit process at the Fire Department
• 3 members have been registered in Fire Officer I
• 1 member has been registered in Fire Officer II

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
  • VR/Col ESSD meeting
  • ESS Meeting
  • IT Business Continuity Planning
  • Colwood Emergency Planning Committee.
  • Tsunami Information Portal Release (EMBC, CRD)
• HRVA/Community Risk Assessment ongoing w/ Logic League
• 2022 UBCM Heat Assessment and Planning Grant approved
• Two public education workshops scheduled and well attended
• MOU drafted for VR/Colwood Emergency radio team merger
• EOC Grant purchases and services arranged including EOC Laptop replacement and commercial radio install.

Emergency Management Training:

• Shakeout Drill and EOC training at Public Safety building – 11 participants (3 from PSB and 8 from Town Hall)

Emergency Support Services:

The ESS Team had one callout this reporting period to Cooper Road for a family of two displaced by a structure fire. Two ESS Team meetings were held and well attended in person. Three new volunteers 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
• Level 1 Tabletop Exercise
• ESS Leadership meeting

Emergency Radio Communications Team:

The View Royal Radio team is back from summer break and working towards the pending merge with Colwood’s team. Meanwhile, 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
• Administration and documentation
• Radio maintenance, testing, and updates, computer updating
• Weekly municipal net
• Continue work with Colwood EPC to revitalize Colwood Emergency Communications
• Chair and record the CRERCC Meeting and other CRECC work

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

Bylaw Division:

In October, the Bylaw Department surpassed the total number of files for 2021.

Jim Henly, Bylaw Enforcement Officer

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

REVIEWED BY: Kim Anema, Chief Administrative Officer