PERIOD REPORT
DATE: May 26, 2025 Report No. FIRE-25-004
TO: Dan Horan, Chief Administrative Officer
FROM: Matt Furlot, Fire Chief
SUBJECT:TITLE Fire Department & Emergency Management Program - 2025 First Period ReportBody
The following is a report on the activities pertaining to the Fire Department and the Emergency Management Program from January 1, 2025 to April 30, 2025.
I. FIRE DEPARTMENT DIVISION ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES
1. OPERATIONS
During the first period of 2025, Esquimalt Fire Rescue Services responded to a variety of emergency incidents and completed numerous routine activities. The volume of calls is as predicted, slightly increasing from 304 last year to 319 this year. The data for this period, along with comparisons to the last period and the same period last year, is summarized below:
While the data for this period shows fluctuations in certain call types, it is important to note the overall year-to-year trend. Since 2020, emergency call volumes have increased significantly. In 2020, the department responded to 616 calls, which increased to 1,002 calls in 2024, reflecting a 62.7% increase. The ongoing growth in population and the increasing number of developments within the Township are expected to continue driving this upward trend. A graph is included for Council’s review to illustrate this ongoing trend.
2. COMMUNITY SERVICES
Esquimalt Fire Rescue Services (EFRS) continues to be deeply engaged in community activities, demonstrating our commitment to public safety, community involvement, and education. During this period, we participated in various events that foster positive relationships with the public and promote the fire service as a career.
• Pink Shirt Day: EFRS supported anti-bullying awareness by wearing pink shirts and using social media to spread messages of kindness. This initiative engaged the community and raised awareness about the importance of kindness and respect.
• Spring Break High School Academy: A week-long academy was held to introduce high school students to firefighting. The academy offered hands-on training in firefighting skills, teamwork, and physical readiness. The program was very well received, generating interest in pursuing careers in fire services.
• Forest Owens and Ken Gill Hockey Tournament: Members of EFRS hosted and participated in this annual event, which raises awareness for mental health and cancer among first responders. The event, through the Esquimalt Firefighter Charitable Society, raised funds for Wounded Warriors and the Courtnell Foundation, organizations supporting first responders.
• Wounded Warrior Run: Our team supported this event, which raises awareness for the mental health challenges faced by first responders and military personnel. It aligns closely with our department’s ongoing focus on mental wellness.
• Esquimalt 5KM Run: EFRS members participated in this community event to promote healthy living and community involvement.
• SD61 Career Fair: We staffed a booth at the School District 61 Career Fair, providing students with information on fire service career paths, the application process, and training opportunities.
• Smile Cookie Campaign: EFRS participated in Tim Hortons’ Smile Cookie campaign, volunteering our time in-store to raise funds for local charities, while also fostering goodwill and increasing community visibility.
• Naloxone Training for Esquimalt Rec Staff: Firefighter First Aid Instructors provided naloxone administration training to Esquimalt Parks and Recreation staff. The program has been positively received and will continue to be an ongoing part of our community health initiatives.
3. DEPARTMENT SERVICES
• Staffing and Overtime: We are pleased to announce the addition of Tabitha Easton, a new suppression firefighter, who will begin operational duties on May 26, 2025. This addition will help reduce overtime, especially in maintaining the ladder truck operational capacity. However, overtime is still a regular challenge we encounter almost daily in efforts to staff the ladder truck with 2 personnel. Factors such as long-term illnesses continue to impact staffing levels, with an average of one staff member off at any given time, compounding the use of overtime.
• Cost-saving Initiatives:
o The restructuring of our handheld radio system could significantly reduce capital renewal costs, potentially saving tens of thousands of dollars. While exact figures are still being calculated, this initiative is an important step toward reducing long-term operational expenses.
o A review of the Rescue truck has highlighted that a light rescue unit, priced at approximately $500,000, would be a more suitable fit for our needs compared to the current heavy rescue unit (costing about $1.2 million). This change would allow for substantial savings while maintaining the necessary operational capacity.
• Annual Inspections: We are on track to complete life safety inspections for 670 inspectable properties within the Township.
• Training Initiatives: EFRS continues to prioritize professional development through comprehensive training initiatives.
During this period:
• Crews completed annual WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System) training.
• Three firefighters in the Officer Development Program completed Fire Officer 2 certification, advancing their leadership development.
• High-Rise Level 1 Training was successfully delivered to all crews, ensuring they are prepared to respond effectively to high-rise fire incidents.
• Driver Training continues for seven members progressing through the EFRS Driver Program to operate department apparatus.
• Emergency Vehicle Operation courses were attended by three members at View Royal, further enhancing their driving and safety skills.
• CPR/AED refresher courses were conducted for all crews to maintain high standards of emergency medical care.
• Additional training included an Emergency Scene Management refresher, and a Single Egress Stair PowerPoint presentation for building fire safety and response awareness.
Training Hours in this Period:
4. COMMITMENT TO REGIONAL COOPERATION
EFRS continues to strengthen regional collaboration to enhance preparedness and response capabilities:
• Public Safety Unit (PSU): EFRS remains closely partnered with the Victoria Police Department (VPD) in the Public Safety Unit. This joint initiative ensures that both agencies are well-equipped to respond to critical incidents across the region.
• High Rise Working Group: This regional initiative is focused on improving coordination among South Island fire departments for high-rise incidents. The working group is aligning fireground terminology, improving communication, and establishing effective response strategies to ensure a coordinated and efficient response.
• Enhanced Radio Communications: Esquimalt has enhanced situational awareness by adopting a shared dispatch channel with View Royal, Colwood, and Langford. This initiative strengthens mutual aid response capabilities and helps crews prepare more effectively for regional incidents.
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. Neighborhood Emergency Preparedness Program (NEPP)
The NEPP continues to focus on increasing public awareness and preparedness for emergencies, with targeted outreach and collaboration with community organizations.
• Community Engagement: We presented preparedness material and held an educational talk for Talisman Strata upon their request, helping residents better understand emergency preparedness steps.
• School Collaboration: EFRS worked with Nurture Early Education School to enhance their Earthquake Response procedures, ensuring young children and staff are equipped with the knowledge and resources for a safe response.
2. Emergency Support Services (ESS)
Esquimalt Fire Rescue Services (EFRS) continues to strengthen its collaboration with neighboring municipalities through Emergency Social Services (ESS), ensuring a unified and effective regional response to emergencies.
• Mutual Aid Support: We’ve strengthened our mutual aid support with Oak Bay and Colwood/View Royal ESS Teams by sharing training plans. Volunteers from Esquimalt attended and supported training sessions with these teams, fostering stronger regional coordination and improving overall readiness.
• Level One Deployments: During this period, three level one deployments occurred within Esquimalt, with mutual aid successfully used to enhance response efforts and resource sharing.
• Group Lodging Training: This year, Group Lodging training is being emphasized within the ESS team to better prepare for large-scale emergencies where temporary accommodations are necessary.
• New Volunteer: We are pleased to report that one new ESS volunteer has joined the team, further bolstering our capabilities.
3. Emergency Radio Communications
Effective radio communications are critical for coordinating emergency response efforts, and the department continues to prioritize regular training and equipment maintenance.
• Regional Training Participation: EFRS participated in regional radio training on a regular basis, enhancing our ability to communicate effectively with neighboring agencies during incidents.
• Equipment Maintenance: Regular maintenance was carried out on radio equipment to ensure all devices are in optimal working condition for emergency operations.
4. Administration
Our administrative efforts continue to focus on improving emergency preparedness and response planning for both the community and region.
• Community Risk Assessment: We completed the first of two workshops for the Community Risk Assessment, which focused on identifying hazards within the community. The workshop was attended by municipal Directors, and valuable insights were gathered to inform future emergency management strategies.
• Pender Island ESS Workshop: As part of the UBCM ESS Grant 2024, we planned and funded an ESS workshop on Pender Island. This event, aimed at regional volunteers, supports the growing training needs in the region and fosters stronger cooperation and mutual aid.
• Emergency Response Plan Update: The Esquimalt Emergency Response Plan has been successfully updated, ensuring that we are prepared to handle a variety of emergencies with clear and efficient protocols.
• UBCM ESS Grant: We applied for and successfully received the UBCM ESS Grant for volunteer program branded clothing, which will enhance the visibility and cohesion of our ESS volunteers during deployments.
• Recovery Guide Feedback: EFRS participated in providing feedback to the Province regarding the Recovery Guide and Regulations for Emergency Disaster Management Assistance (EDMA).
• Indigenous Engagement Requirement (IER): We completed the funding requirements for the Province’s Indigenous Engagement Requirement (IER) for year one, successfully securing year two funding to support new legislative requirements.
• Regional Exercise Participation: EFRS participated in the LGEPAC regional exercise to strengthen operational communications, helping to improve regional emergency response efforts.
• Regional Meetings: EFRS remained actively involved in regional meetings, including those with the Local Government Emergency Program Advisory Commission (LGEPAC) and the Regional Emergency Management Partnership (REMP), ensuring we are aligned with best practices and regional emergency management strategies.