REQUEST FOR DECISION
DATE: April 26, 2016 Report No. FIRE-16-002
TO: Laurie Hurst, Chief Administrative Officer
FROM: Chris Jancowski, Fire Chief
SUBJECT:
Title
Regional Tower Crane Rescue Services AgreementEnd
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That the Corporation of the Township of Esquimalt enter into a Regional Tower Crane Rescue Services Agreement with the Corporation of the District of Saanich and the Corporation of the City of Victoria for an additional five (5) year term commencing on May 1, 2016.
Body
RELEVANT POLICY:
This agreement is made under the authority granted within the Community Charter, Part 3, Division 1, and Section 23.
STRATEGIC RELEVANCE:
The renewal of the Tower Crane Rescue Services Agreement is supported by the Township’s Operational Strategy to identify efficiencies between local and regional government.
BACKGROUND:
In 2011, the Township of Esquimalt signed an agreement with Saanich and Victoria allowing their respective fire departments to respond into Esquimalt to provide tower crane rescue to any contractors operating a tower crane within the Township. Although Esquimalt Fire has a mutual aid agreement for firefighting with Saanich and Victoria, it has been determined that tower crane rescue is a specialized service that does not fall within the scope of our mutual aid agreement, as it is not a service we can reciprocate.
ISSUES:
1. Rationale for Selected Option
Saanich and Victoria will be required to conduct an on-site inspection of any tower crane in the Township as part of the necessary pre-planning exercise. The associated costs for this pre-planning are paid for by the primary contractor responsible for the tower crane. Esquimalt Fire would receive a copy of this pre-planning and also conduct a site assessment, both which could be used when responding to a rescue incident in a support capacity.
We have a large percentage of members trained to the “operations” level of a rope rescue who would be used in a support role to the servicing fire department.
2. Organizational Implications
No additional staff resources are anticipated due to the renewing of this agreement.
3. Financial Implications
Clause 3.5 (a) of the agreement identifies a personnel charge of two times the normal hourly rate for each responding member and Provincial Office of the Fire Commissioner rates for vehicle and equipment. It is reasonable to calculate a cost of double time for five (5) members for a period of three (3) hours which equates to approximately $2,500 per three hour response.
I would recommend that consideration be given to requiring the developer to enter into a fee-for-service arrangement or alternatively charging an upfront fee that can be added to the development permit fee. This upfront rescue fee could be refunded to the developer if the rescue service was not used.
4. Sustainability & Environmental Implications
There are no sustainability or environmental implications identified.
5. Communication & Engagement
Victoria and Saanich will be advised of Council’s decision and, when relevant, developers and contractors will be advised of the Township’s requirements.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. That the Corporation of the Township of Esquimalt enter into a Regional Tower Crane Rescue Services Agreement with the Corporation of the District of Saanich and the Corporation of the City of Victoria for an additional five (5) year term commencing on May 1, 2016.
2. Increase the fire department’s training and overtime budgets so that all Esquimalt Fire members can be trained to the rope rescue “technician” level which would allow the department to provide this rescue service. This alternative would require several years to complete due to scheduling and limited training opportunities.
3. Require that the developers/general contractors working in Esquimalt provide their own rescue service. This requirement may not be available to all contractors as tower crane rescue is viewed as a specialized service.