PERIOD REPORT
DATE: September 29, 2025 Report No. FIRE-25-008
TO: Dan Horan, Chief Administrative Officer
FROM: Matt Furlot, Fire Chief
SUBJECT:TITLE Fire Department & Emergency Management Program - 2025 Second Period Report.Body
The following is a report on the activities pertaining to the Fire Department and the Emergency Management Program from May 1, 2025 to August 31, 2025.
I. FIRE DEPARTMENT DIVISION ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES
1. OPERATIONS
During the second period of 2025, Esquimalt Fire Rescue Services responded to a variety of emergency incidents and completed numerous routine activities.
The volume of calls continues to gradually increase from 304 incidents in Period 1 to 384 incidents in Period 2.
When compared to last year’s same period, there is an increase of 16% call volume. Over the past 5 years, there has been a steady increase of 25% more call volume for the same reporting period.
Operational Efficiencies:
EFRS continues to identify and implement efficiencies to ensure the fire service is providing the “right response” for the Township while maintaining fiscal responsibility. Several significant measures were achieved during this reporting period:
• Engine 12: Engine 12 was an expired frontline apparatus used solely for training. This has been sold and will not be replaced. Training needs will be met using the frontline and spare engines. This decision eliminates both a capital replacement cost and ongoing renewal planning, while maintaining training capacity. Estimated savings: $250,000.
• Utility Trailer: The urban rescue utility trailer has been removed from the fleet. Equipment previously stored in the trailer has been reorganized within the fire station and can be transported as required with utility vehicles. Estimated savings: $25,000-$50,000.
• Handheld Radios: A new system for personnel radio use was implemented, reducing the number from 36 radios to 18. This initiative represents a capital and renewal planning savings of approximately $216,000 while ensuring operational needs are met.
• Heavy Rescue: The heavy rescue truck was sold for $650,000 and is being replaced with a light rescue apparatus arriving this fall. This change results in an estimated $700,000 savings while better aligning with the community’s operational needs and significantly reducing future fleet renewal costs.
Collectively, these measures represent an estimated future savings of approximately $1.2 million in capital and renewal planning for the Township.
Level of Service
A staffing trial has begun to decrease overtime demands needed to consistently staff 6 suppression firefighters on duty. The temporary firefighters were hired, trained, and became operational at the end of August. Initial findings show a dramatic decrease in overtime expenditures.
2. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Esquimalt Fire Rescue Services (EFRS) remained actively engaged in the community throughout this reporting period, reinforcing our commitment to public education, outreach, and positive community relations.
Highlights included:
• Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Day: Crews assisted in-store, supporting fundraising efforts and connecting with the public.
• McHappy Day: Members partnered with VicPD at the local McDonald’s, engaging with customers and staff in a fun, interactive way.
• Buccaneer Days: Crews showcased apparatus in the parade and volunteered at the Wakey Wakey BBQ luncheon, serving food and interacting with residents.
• School and Recreation Engagement: Rockheights Middle School received a ladder spray for its year-end celebration, and all Esquimalt lifeguards received naloxone training. The program, led by Assistant Chief Widdifield and supported by crews, included medical training on effective transfer of patient care to higher-level responders.
• Camp Courage Indigenous Event: EFRS co-hosted this multi-day event at the CFB Esquimalt training grounds in June, providing mentorship and hands-on experience for young indigenous women exploring careers in emergency services.
• Community Programs: Car seat inspections and hall tours continued, with firefighters also engaging informally with children during visits, ensuring ongoing opportunities for education and outreach.
3. STAFF DEVELOPMENT
A total of 3166.80 training hours were delivered across 185 training events.
Significant initiatives included:
• Annual confined space training
• Annual wildfire training with View Royal
• Annual chainsaw refresher training
• EVO pumping refresher days
• ICS 400 certification
• Fire Service Leadership 2
• Low Rise Fire Attack Strategies
• Probationary firefighter programs
• Ongoing 3- and 6-month probationary assessments
• Fire & Rescue Annual Conference - chief officers
4. COMMITMENT TO REGIONAL COOPERATION
EFRS continues to place strong emphasis on regional collaboration to enhance interoperability, safety, and training across the South Island.
• Joint Wildfire Training: Crews trained with View Royal Fire Rescue, reinforcing preparedness for interface fire response.
• Confined Space Training: Regional training events allowed for alignment of technical rescue practices and strengthened interoperability.
• Committee and Association Participation: EFRS maintained representation in regional associations and technical working groups, including the Capital Region Fire Chiefs’ Association, the Greater Victoria Fire Prevention Officers’ Association, and specialized initiatives such as the High-Rise Working Group.
Through these joint initiatives, EFRS demonstrates its ongoing commitment to fostering consistent standards, safe practices, and strong partnerships across Greater Victoria.
5. COMMITTEES
Esquimalt Fire Department members are actively involved with numerous local and regional initiatives through the following associations:
• Capital Region Fire Chiefs’ Association (Chair: F/C Furlot)
• Greater Vancouver Fire Chief’s Association
o Technical High Angle Rope Rescue Program (THARRP) (Chair: F/C Furlot)
• Canadian Fire Chief’s Association
o Leadership, Mental Health, and Executive Chief Fire Officer Programs (F/C Furlot)
• Fire Chiefs’ Association of BC
o Financial and Elections Committees (F/C Furlot)
• CRD Regional Hazardous Materials Response Planning Committee (F/C Furlot)
• Fire Training Officers’ Association of BC (A/C Swan)
• Fire Prevention Officers’ Association of BC (A/C Widdifield)
• Greater Victoria Fire Prevention Officers’ Association (A/C Widdifield)
• Department Occupational Health & Safety Committee
• BC Burn Fund
• BC Professional Firefighters Association
• Greater Victoria Public Safety Unit Joint Management Team
II. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES
1. ADMINISTRATION
Significant progress has been made in advancing Esquimalt’s emergency management planning and resilience-building initiatives during this period.
• Community Risk Assessment: The draft report has been submitted, with only the First Nations engagement outstanding. Once engagement is complete, the report will be finalized.
• Recovery and Group Lodging Plans: Both plans are under development by the Program Manager, ensuring alignment with legislative requirements and best practices.
• Community Partners Group: Initial steps have been taken to form a Community Partners group to support services outside the scope of government and improve planning for minority groups. This initiative is led by Esquimalt, with regional emergency programs participating. The next meeting is scheduled for late October, with the goal of expanding participation.
• Provincial and Regional Engagement: Active participation occurred in regional and provincial processes, including feedback on the Provincial Recovery Guide for Local Authorities and Indigenous Governing Bodies, feedback on Emergency Disaster Management Act (EDMA) regulations led by EMCR, and continued membership in the Indigenous Engagement Requirements (IER) working group.
• Academic and Community Partnerships: Continued involvement in the University of Victoria’s Climate Care Community of Practice, advancing local climate resiliency efforts.
• Regional Forums: Ongoing participation in LGEPAC, REMP, and RECAC to strengthen cross-boundary planning and coordination.
• Youth Work Experience: The Program is hosting a youth from Langford through the Regional Work Experience initiative, offering exposure to emergency program operations.
• FireSmart Program: A FireSmart application was completed and submitted for one-year funding to support a Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan and a part-time staff position. The Program Manager has been designated as the FireSmart Coordinator and now participates in the Greater Victoria Community FireSmart and Resiliency Collaborative.
• Emergency Operations Centre Activation: On July 29, a Level One EOC was activated in response to a Tsunami Watch and Advisory. While the risk was minimal, the activation ensured coordination of regional public messaging and provided an opportunity to participate in a regional debrief.
2. EMERGENCY SUPPORT SERVICES (ESS)
ESS initiatives this period focused on strengthening mutual aid, building capacity, and supporting planning efforts:
• Conducted two mock Level One exercises, including one in collaboration with Oak Bay ESS to enhance mutual aid and learning.
• ESS volunteers supported the development of the Group Lodging Plan through review and feedback.
• Hosted the Pender Island Workshop, attended by 20 volunteers, which further strengthened mutual aid relationships within the CRD.
• Onboarded two new volunteers, one of whom will be trained to lead the Resilient Community Program.
3. RESILIENT COMMUNITY PROGRAM (formerly NEPP)
The Resilient Community Program advanced both outreach and public education during this period:
• Updated program webpages to improve clarity and links to regional hazard information.
• Developed four themed six-part series for social media, newsletters, and municipal TV screens: Kids Preparedness, Pet Preparedness, Inclusive Preparedness, and Neighbour-to-Neighbour Preparedness.
• Participated in the Emergency Preparedness Week Fair at the University of Victoria, supported by staff and volunteers, with excellent community engagement.
• Provided preparedness education materials and giveaways for a neighbourhood-led event focused on local emergency readiness.
4. EMERGENCY RADIO COMMUNICATIONS
EFRS continued to strengthen radio communication capacity through regular training and system improvements:
• Weekly training sessions for volunteers included participation in regional communication exercises.
• Developed transfer scripts enabling longer-distance messaging, now extending to Oak Bay, Gulf Islands, Saltspring, and Cowichan Valley.
• Updated and repaired Public Works “go-kits.”
• Completed a successful field exercise at Saxe Point, testing the deployment and use of go-kits.