REQUEST FOR DECISION
DATE: March 04, 2019 Report No. FIRE-19-002
TO: Laurie Hurst, Chief Administrative Officer
FROM: Chris Jancowski, Fire Chief
SUBJECT:
Title
Township of Esquimalt and City of Langford Mutual Aid Agreement
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That Council authorizes staff to participate in the Mutual Aid Agreement with the City of Langford to enhance the level of life safety and property protection available to citizens; and that the Mayor and Corporate Officer be authorized to execute the Mutual Aid Agreement substantially in the form as attached to Staff Report FIRE-19-002.
Body
RELEVANT POLICY:
This agreement is made under the authority granted within the Community Charter:
• Part 2, Division 1, Section 8
• Part 2, Division 2, Section 11
• Part 3, Division 1, Section 23
Fire Services Act of British Columbia, RSBC 1996, Chapter 144
British Columbia Structural Firefighter Competency and Training Playbook
STRATEGIC RELEVANCE:
This Mutual Aid Agreement is supported by the Township’s Operational Strategies to promote opportunities to share services and continue to enhance the health and livability of the community.
BACKGROUND:
The proposed Mutual Aid Agreement is based on a systems approach that considers holistically the fundamental components of fire service delivery that when shared will result in a mutual benefit to both communities. This Agreement is the final step to ensuring a multi-layered network of fire service resources on all sides of the Township.
The term of this Agreement will be five (5) years and shall renew automatically for an additional five (5) year term under the specifics in Section 2.
ISSUES:
1. Rationale for Selected Option
The mutual sharing of resources through this Mutual Aid Agreement allows both communities to be fiscally responsible while providing excellent service to each community.
2. Organizational Implications
This Mutual Agreement will assist both communities with access to additional Fire Department resources. This Agreement will further bolster our other Fire Services Agreements and provide a step towards an improved Fire Underwriters Rating. This Agreement will not create any new workload to staff.
3. Financial Implications
Any financial implications associated with this Mutual Aid Agreement will be minimal. The Mutual Aid Agreement does not contain any fees for service clauses and are intended to be reciprocal.
4. Sustainability & Environmental Implications
There are no sustainability or environmental implications.
5. Communication & Engagement
This Agreement will be forwarded to the Fire Underwriters to receive recognition of services that relate to fire insurance rates. In addition, a copy will be made available to the Office of the Fire Commissioner.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. That Council authorizes staff to participate in the Mutual Aid Agreement with the City of Langford to enhance the level of life safety and property protection available to citizens; and that the Mayor and Corporate Officer be authorized to execute the Mutual Aid Agreement substantially in the form as attached to Staff Report FIRE-19-002.
2. That Council receives Staff Report FIRE-19-002 for information.