PERIOD REPORT
DATE: September 10, 2018 Report No. FIRE-18-004
TO: Laurie Hurst, Chief Administrative Officer
FROM: Chris Jancowski, Fire Chief
SUBJECT:TITLE Fire Department - 2018 Second Period Report Body
The following is a report on the activities pertaining to the Fire Department from May 01, 2018 to August 31, 2018.
I. DIVISION ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES
1. Operations Division
|
Call Type and Volume |
Routine Activities |
|
Alarm calls |
22 |
Assist other agencies |
0 |
|
Assist public |
25 |
Bylaw inquiries |
1 |
|
Burning complaints |
19 |
General inquiries |
0 |
|
Hazardous materials |
8 |
Oil tank inspections |
2 |
|
Structure fires |
4 |
Placed on standby (C.S.R., Fire) |
0 |
|
Other fires |
11 |
Plan review |
0 |
|
Other responses |
10 |
Public ed. I hall tour |
7 |
|
Medical aid |
203 |
Fire investigations |
0 |
|
MVI |
26 |
Business licenses |
0 |
|
Rescue |
0 |
Car seat inspection |
3 |
|
Electrical emergency |
4 |
|
|
|
Total Period |
332 |
Total Period |
13 |
|
Responses YTD |
789 |
Activities YTD |
37 |
2. Community Services
Prevention Activities
In May, the Department concluded a review of Residential Fire Alarm Systems. This review included over 130 multi-residential building that have fire alarm systems installed. Over the past several years, fire suppression crews have responded to buildings for alarm activations due to managers and owners having been unable to find replacement parts to maintain older legacy systems. These legacy systems from the 50’s and 60’s lack supervisory systems that prevent unauthorized activities such as unchecked activations and tampering by occupants.
It is important to note that these Fire Alarm Systems provide an early notification to occupants to ensure adequate time to escape from a fire. Esquimalt has a significant population that is aging in place and these systems provide a vital link to safety. Newer systems also enable Fire Departments to locate specific detectors and units where activations have occurred. The Department remains committed to working with individual owners as they plan, budget and install these upgrades over the next 6-18 months.
In May, the Department participated in the annual McHappy Day. Fire Suppression Crews attended and assisted staff in raising funds for the Ronald McDonald House Charities. In June, the Department also assisted in Tim Hortons Camp Day. Camp Days offer an opportunity for youth to attend camps that provide leadership and build self esteem.
In the spring, the Department continued our Grade 3 School based programs. These programs introduce the youth to fire safety practices, such as always having two ways out of a building.
Over the summer, the Department conducted several car seat workshops for parents of young children. Both sessions were supported by the community with positive feedback.
|
2018 Company Inspections |
|
Platoon |
Total Premises |
Inspections Completed |
Inspections Ongoing |
|
A |
131 |
92 |
39 |
|
B |
145 |
86 |
59 |
|
C |
140 |
98 |
42 |
|
D |
132 |
48 |
84 |
3. Department Services
In May, the Department was invited to attend a CFB Esquimalt Fire Department hosted event on Cancer prevention. Dr. Kenneth Kuntz presented a lecture to fire service personnel on the importance of healthy diets, exercise and risk reduction strategies.
Also in May, the Department hosted a JIBC Marina Firefighter Workshop. This workshop was hosted at West Bay Marina. Departments from all around Vancouver Island attended with positive feedback.
In June, the Department hosted the 2018 First Nations Emergency Services (FNESS) EXPO. This event was attended by First Nations communities all across British Columbia. Assistant Chief Steve Serbic led this event and coordinated the assistance of CFB Esquimalt, View Royal Fire, JIBC and local dignitaries. This event was received as one of the best hosted FNESS events in recent times.
Also in June, the Department hosted a JIBC BC Fire Code course. This course provides additional insight into the BC Fire Code. This course was attended by various departments from Vancouver Island, Lower mainland and the Esquimalt Fire Department.
In July, the Department hosted an Emergency Childbirth course from VIERA. This course builds on other medical aid skills within the VIERA First Responder Program.
The Department has continued with several of our Capital Projects over the Second Period. All of our garage doors were upgraded with newer rollers and hardware. This hardware upgrade will provide smooth operation for several more years of service. A replacement of our older electric fans was also completed in the spring. Our newer electric fans can be powered from a variety of sources that includes internal batteries or external 120V power sources. The largest benefit of these new fans is that they are highly mobile and produce no carbon monoxide when ventilating smoke from buildings.
4. Administrative Services
In May, the Department launched a Wellness Program. Modelled after the successful Oak Bay Fire Department Program, it combines a variety of topics for all members that range from nutrition, exercise, mental resiliency and lifestyle choices.
In June, Department staff met with Surrey Fire Dispatch and IT staff. These meetings laid out a road map of our transition to Surrey as our new dispatch provider that is proposed for September. The transition will include the use of FDM records management, new radio channels, and new Mobile Data Terminal Software.
In July, members of the Department participated in talks with the Office of the Fire Commissioner regarding Provincial Training Standards. These standards guide the minimum training for all structural firefighters within the Province of British Columbia.
In August, the Department provided assistance to the firefighting effort for the interior wildfires. Assistance was provided in Command Staff functions that were deployed to several areas around the province.
II. COMMITTEES
Esquimalt Fire Department members are actively involved with numerous local and regional initiatives, including:
• Greater Victoria Fire Chiefs’ Association
• British Columbia Fire Chiefs’ Association
• CRD Regional Hazardous Materials Response Planning Committee
• Greater Victoria Fire Training Officers’ Association
• Fire Training Officers’ Association of BC
• Fire Prevention Officers’ Association of BC
• Greater Victoria Fire Prevention Officers’ Association
• Department Safety Committee
• BC Burn Fund