PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT FOR JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2017

PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT FOR JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2017

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 rate of 98%.
• The department is currently reviewing plans and attending meetings with municipal staff and developers on several projects.
• The department delivered 5 presentations to preschool groups totaling 47 children and 33 adults.
• During this period 2 fire investigations were concluded as follows:
  1. January 30th, Island Hwy The department responded for the report of a vehicle on fire on Island Highway. On arrival crew found an older model VW Bug fully involved. Once the fire was extinguished it was determined that the cause of the fire was a mechanical failure in the carburetor.
  2. February 13th, Damon Drive The department responded to the cul-de-sac at the end of Damon Drive, for the report of a vehicle on fire. On arrival the crew found a convertible Mercedes fully involved. On investigation it was determined that the vehicle was uninsured and had not been started in a while. The fire started from a cracked fuel line when the vehicle was started.

The division continues to work with our website and social media feeds to keep the public informed and up to date on department activities and programs.

Robert G. Marshall, Fire Prevention Officer

Training Division:

• one member completed Fire Fighter NFPA 1001 Level II
• one member completed Fire Officer NFPA 1021 Level I
• four members attended Principals of Modern Fire Attack
• three members completed Train the Trainer in administering Naloxone
• thirty-one members completed BC Hydro Electrical Safety for Firefighters
• thirty-four members completed training in administering Intramuscular Naloxone
• two members attended a 4 day course on structural collapse with Canadian Forces
• two members completed ICS 200
• one member completed Fire Service Instructor Level 1
• additional 1001 training continues on Monday evenings
• attended bi-monthly Training Officers Meeting

Heath Bevan, Training Officer

Emergency Program:

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

• EM Officer attended following Meetings:
  • SD61 Student release exercise planning
  • LGEPAC (x2)
  • REPAC
  • Evacuation Planning WG (X3)
  • Designated Disaster Routes
  • First Nations Emergency Management @ Songhees (X2)
  • EP Fair Meeting (X2)
  • VR/Col ESSD update
• LGEPAC Annual Planning Session
• South Island First Nations Disaster Preparedness Workshop – EM Officer participated as a speaker.
• Emergency Preparedness info booth set up at Songhees Community Meeting
• Training taking place for the interim replacement of the Deputy Emergency Coordinator.
• Contractor secured to install cabinets into ESS/Radio Office
• Participated in Family Education Night at View Royal Elementary

Emergency Program Training:

• ICS 200: 2 Firefighters
• ICS 300: 1 Firefighter
• ICS 400: 2 Fire Officers
• Emergency Management Planning for Disabled People: 6 ESS
• Amateur Radio Operator: 2 Radio, 1 ESS
• Reception Centre – 4 ESS
• Registration and Referrals – 6 ESS
• Disability Alliance EP Seminar – 7 ESS

Emergency Support Services:

The ESS team had no callouts this reporting period. Two monthly meetings were held and were well attended. Three new volunteers were recruited. Additional activities are as follows:

• Work parties to assemble and organize ESS bins and conduct administration
• Level 1 ESS Planning meeting
• Regional ESSD meeting
• ESSD”s attended Colwood EP meeting
• Tour of EMBC

Emergency Communications Team:

• Provided Comms for Pacific Cup Hockey Tourney
• Net controller, Inter-municipal net
• Weekly nets on View Royal frequencies
• Weekly check in with inter-municipal net

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

Pre-fire Planning/ Mapping/Fire Dispatch Services/ Hydrants:

All existing pre-fire plans are currently up to date. Four firefighters have been assigned a building in View Royal to prepare a preplan for. Once the firefighters have completed their assignments, a formal pre-fire plan will be prepared and added to the fire department’s inventory.

The department’s project to install signage on all buildings with fire department connections (FDCs) is proceeding on schedule. These signs will assist the fire department in quickly locating FDCs in an emergency, determining the water-based protection systems they supply (e.g. sprinklers and standpipes) as well as the required water pressure to supply to the FDC. To date, signs have been installed on 60% of all buildings with fire department connections centres. It is anticipated that signs will be installed on the remaining buildings by June 2017.

The fire department will be updating its map books and digital maps in the spring of 2017. This will be the first new maps produced for the department since 2014.

View Royal Fire continues to work with Saanich Fire Dispatch to manage any issues with dispatch services.

David Brown, Pre-planner

Building Department:

The months of January and February saw a good beginning for 2017. The Building Department was busy with plan checking, issuing permits, inspections and completing the renovation of the Town Hall.

Another special project for the Building Department was working towards the implementation of the new City Reporter program that will assist the Department with a better tracking system and more consistent inspection/reporting system that should prove to lower the liability the Town is exposed to.

The year also had a good start with a strong voice with the Chief Building Officials within our 13 Municipalities. Together with the other leaders in our field, we hope to prove we can show consistency and mutual interpretations of Building Code and construction practices.

January Permit Summary

February Permit Summary

Gary Faykes, Building Inspector

Bylaw Division:

A number of older model motorhomes are now being lived in and transiting though the community daily. These motorhomes travel the region and park on the streets and remain until identified by either the bylaw enforcement officers or police. Once identified, they move to another municipality and repeat the process. Bylaw Enforcement has been proactive by maintaining a presence through patrolling the community and identifying these vehicles.

Minimal assistance was needed from Bylaw Enforcement with regards to reminding residents of their responsibility of salting and snow removal of the sidewalks abutting or fronting their property as per Streets and Traffic Bylaw No.609, during the snowfalls in late January and early February.

With the snow disappearing and spring cleaning started, the amount of illegal dumping on municipal roads and boulevards has increased. Dead end roads are the preferred area to dump after dark when visibility is limited. Unfortunately there is usually little evidence left behind to apprehend the culprit(s) and the course of action is to have refuse picked up and taken away.

As of this writing the Forty Days of Life to End Abortion Vigil will be into its second week. Although no serious issues are expected, Bylaw Enforcement and RCMP will monitor daily to keep the peace and enforce any bylaw infractions.

The focus for March and April will be to follow up on business licenses and secondary suites that failed to renew for 2017.

February

Enzo Calla, Bylaw Enforcement Officer

Chiefs Comments:

I attended the most recent Choices community meeting and reported out our incidents and concerns. The Fire Prevention office is currently performing fire and life safety inspections of the building every 2 weeks. As mentioned in the previous report, all front line emergency apparatus is now carrying naloxone.

Although only used once during the reporting period, the outcome on the patient was successful in reversing the effects of fentanyl.

I will also be attending Choices staff meetings during the day in March, and have made arrangements for Choices staff to attend a Thursday evening volunteer drill session to discuss the facility, its clients and issues or mutual concerns.

Homeless camping, although slowed during the winter months, continues to create files for the bylaw division. Areas of concern include Atkins and Brydon forested areas and behind the Casino towards the Colwood border. In all cases, staff is referring homeless clients to Choices, however the wait list is over 250 people wanting to access the facility.

Demolition of the Casino is well underway and very noticeable from the Island Hwy. The Towns building inspector has returned to work after surgery, on a modified schedule. All files are up to date and inspections continue.

I have received official notice of the pending retirement from Firefighter David Brown, effective April 28/2017. Firefighter Brown has served as the Towns Fire Inspector since 2007. An internal competition will be undertaken through the Chiefs and Towns HR office.

On March 8/2017 a serious incident occurred that is connected to the 40 Days for Life protests. A member of that group violated the bubble zone as prescribed in the Access to Abortion Act. The individual physically entered the facility and verbally harassed staff and patients. Police attended and the file is being managed by the RCMP with consideration of charges as a result of this incident. I met with VIHA to offer and reassure Town support for a safe work place and upholding rules surrounding this protest. Daily visits to the protest will continue by the Towns Bylaw Officers.

An additional serious incident of concern occurred at Choices Homeless shelter. On March 8/2017 fire crews attended the site for alarms ringing. On arrival crews encountered a stove top fire as a result of unattended cooking in the recently occupied Building “C”. While crews were managing this event, a firefighter was attacked and bitten by a resident’s dog that was not under control. Although the firefighter was not physically injured, his firefighting apparel was ripped by the animal. Fortunately staff were wearing their personal protective equipment to prevent injury, however the apparel will require replacement if it cannot be repaired. The direct cost for replacement is $1500 for the damaged firefighting pants. I will be filing a report and complaint with CRD Animal control Services, as well as RCMP and Worksafe.

VIEW ROYAL FIRE RESCUE MONTHLY STATISTICS 2017

VIEW ROYAL FIRE RESCUE ANNUAL STATISTICS 2017

NOTE: Mutual/Auto Aid calls not included in total calls starting in 2009