PERIOD REPORT
DATE: January 27, 2025 Report No. FIRE-25-003
TO: Dan Horan, Chief Administrative Officer
FROM: Matt Furlot, Fire Chief
SUBJECT:TITLE Fire Department & Emergency Management Program - 2024 Third Period ReportBody
The following is a report on the activities pertaining to the Fire Department and the Emergency Management Program from September 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024.
I. FIRE DEPARTMENT DIVISION ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES
1. Operations Division
2. Community Services
• Term Fire Inspector (3-Month Trial) During a temporary trial period from September to December, Firefighter Corey Payne was internally promoted to the position of Fire Inspector. This strategic appointment aimed to address fire prevention shortfalls, focusing on the inspection and reinspection of businesses and multi-residential buildings within the community. As a result of this initiative, EFRS has made significant strides in enhancing public safety and advancing fire prevention measures.
• Annual Fire Prevention Week Open House On October 6th, EFRS hosted its highly anticipated annual Fire Prevention Week Open House. The event attracted several hundred community members to the firehall, where attendees received vital fire safety information. The open house featured a children’s fun zone and provided an interactive glimpse into the diverse roles and responsibilities of our dedicated community firefighters, fostering stronger community ties and safety awareness.
• Annual Halloween Spooktacular EFRS also hosted the Annual Halloween Spooktacular, a festive event that drew hundreds of children and families of all ages. This community favorite featured fun and engaging activities, further strengthening our connection with the residents and promoting safety in a lively, celebratory environment.
• School and Residential Fire Drills EFRS actively participated in fire drills at two local elementary schools, École Victor Brodeur and Macaulay Elementary, emphasizing the importance of fire safety education for students and staff. Additionally, a fire drill was conducted at The Vista, located at 622 Admirals Road, reinforcing safety protocols for residents and management.
• Esquimalt High School Fire Academy Preparations are underway for EFRS’s 3rd Annual Fire Academy in collaboration with Esquimalt High School. This program offers students an engaging, hands-on learning experience, fostering interest in fire service careers while promoting life-saving skills and safety awareness among youth.
• Senior Community Outreach Sessions The Prevention Division conducted two targeted outreach sessions for seniors, focusing on critical topics such as kitchen fire safety and the proper handling of lithium-ion batteries. These sessions were well-received, equipping attendees with practical knowledge to reduce fire risks at home.
• Collaboration with Building and Development Services EFRS’s Prevention Division has been working closely with Building and Development Services to address fire safety and suppression system queries for several new developments, including but not limited to the Lampson/Tillicum project, 429 Lampson Street, and 1310 Saunders Street. This collaborative effort ensures that fire safety considerations are integrated into the planning and construction phases.
• Tower Crane Site Surveys As part of our ongoing rescue commitment, EFRS conducted two comprehensive tower crane site surveys. These surveys enhance our readiness and capability to respond to high-angle rescue scenarios, ensuring safety standards are met on these specialized worksites.
• Annual Light Parade EFRS proudly participated in the Annual Light Parade, showcasing fire trucks adorned with festive Christmas lights spreading holiday cheer while engaging with the public.
3. Department Services
• Advanced First Responder Skill Endorsements The Emergency Medical Assistants Licensing Board has granted all EFRS staff advanced First Responder skill endorsements, following successful completion of the required training and certification. These new endorsements empower staff to administer enhanced care, such as providing aspirin and nitroglycerine for cardiac patients, epinephrine for allergic reactions, and utilizing advanced pelvic splints and nasal airway interventions (to name a few). This expanded skill set, supported by our frontline response units equipped with the necessary tools, significantly enhances the quality of care delivered to the community.
• Annual Training and Competency Standards EFRS staff have been diligently completing their annual training to meet the Office of the Fire Commissioner’s Minimum Firefighter Competency standards. This rigorous training includes ladder and hose drills, search and rescue drills, as well as suppression firefighting simulations conducted at the training ground, ensuring operational readiness and compliance with provincial standards.
• High-Angle Rope Training High-angle rope training continues to be a priority for EFRS crews, with regular sessions conducted on tower cranes. These exercises refine technical rescue capabilities, preparing staff to respond effectively to emergencies at various development properties.
• Officer Development and Succession Planning A number of staff members are currently working on their Officer Development courses, progressing toward meeting the qualification requirements for Lieutenant and Captain roles. This initiative not only strengthens the department’s succession planning but also enhances its capacity to manage backfill requirements effectively.
• Residential Structure Fire Tabletop Exercises Staff participated in residential structure fire scenario tabletop exercises with CFB Esquimalt. These sessions provided valuable opportunities to practice coordination and decision-making in simulated fire emergencies, reinforcing inter-agency collaboration and operational readiness.
• Leadership Summit Attendance In early November, Fire Chief Furlot and Assistant Chief Swan attended the BCPFFA Leadership Summit, along with members of the Union Executive. This summit offered insights into challenges faced by fire departments and presented innovative solutions. The collaborative discussions helped develop systems to improve working conditions and enhance the safety and well-being of our team.
|
Training Hours in this Period |
|
Combined Training Hours |
2,289 hrs |
|
Total Staff Trained |
28 Suppression Staff |
4. Administrative Services
• Fire Safety Act and Municipal Bylaw Assessment The Chief Officer staff worked closely with the Fire Chiefs Association of BC and the Office of the Fire Commissioner to interpret the new Fire Safety Act. This collaboration involved assessing necessary changes to the municipal bylaw to align with updated regulations, ensuring compliance and enhancing fire safety standards.
• Firefighter Cancer Prevention and PFAS-Free Gear Prioritizing firefighter cancer prevention, and with great appreciation to Mayor and Council, EFRS has ordered new PFAS-free gear to replace the primary set of turnout gear for all firefighters. This proactive measure underscores our commitment to the long-term health and safety of our team.
• 24-Hour Shift Implementation and Fatigue Management The 24-hour shift change, which came into effect in August, has been relatively smooth. In collaboration with the Union, the Chief Officers are developing a comprehensive Fatigue Management Policy. In the interim, several measures have been implemented to ensure staff remain healthy and well during extended shifts.
• Recruitment Process The recruitment process was in full swing during the third period. Prospective recruits completed written exams and competency testing, helping to refine the candidate pool for interview screenings scheduled for January.
5. Commitment to Regional Cooperation
The following initiatives were undertaken during this period:
• Core Chiefs Collaboration The 4 Core Chiefs continue to meet regularly with the intent of fostering collaboration between departments. Recent discussions have focused on achieving fireground communication commonalities and enhancing automatic aid responses, ensuring seamless inter-agency operations during emergencies.
• Joint Recruitment Success The joint recruitment process between Victoria and Esquimalt was met with great success. This collaborative effort allowed both departments to leverage each others’ resources and collectively develop a robust recruitment process, optimizing candidate selection.
• Enhanced Dispatch Protocols Esquimalt has strengthened response dispatch protocols in collaboration with View Royal and the West Shore. These improvements ensure that the right resources are deployed for the appropriate responses, minimizing delays and enhancing overall service efficiency.
6. COMMITTEES
Esquimalt Fire Department members are actively involved with numerous local and regional initiatives through the following associations:
• Greater Victoria Fire Chiefs’ Association
• Greater Vancouver Fire Chief’s Association
o Technical High Angle Rope Rescue Program (THARRP)
• Canadian Fire Chief’s Association
o Leadership Committee
o Mental Health Committee
• British Columbia Fire Chiefs’ Association
• CRD Regional Hazardous Materials Response Planning Committee
• Fire Training Officers’ Association of BC
• Fire Prevention Officers’ Association of BC
• Greater Victoria Fire Prevention Officers’ Association
• 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)
• Provided direct support to the Admirals Gate Strata in enhancing their emergency preparedness efforts. This included coordinating and facilitating their participation in the ShakeOut BC campaign, during which residents conducted a Drop, Cover, and Hold exercise to practice earthquake safety measures.
2. Emergency Support Services (ESS)
• Responded to a Level One event, providing critical support to five units, assisting a total of eight individuals. These individuals were provided with lodging and meals for three days.
• Continued comprehensive training in Emergency Registration and Assistance (ERA) and Level One response, with ongoing support from both provincial resources and local experts.
• Welcomed and onboarded one new volunteer, providing them with the necessary training and integration into ESS operations.
• Leveraged UBCM grant funding to organize and conduct two key workshops:
1. A Reception Centre functional training workshop with 45 participants, focusing on the various operational roles and responsibilities within a Reception Centre.
2. A Reception Centre exercise involving collaboration among three Local Authorities (Esquimalt, View Royal, and Colwood) as part of a larger federal exercise.
• Participated in a province-supported regional exercise, which included extensive involvement from radio teams across Vancouver Island and the mainland, strengthening inter-agency communication and coordination.
3. Emergency Radio Communications
• Welcomed two new volunteers to the Emergency Radio Communications team, bringing the total number of new recruits this year to four. Additionally, two long-serving volunteers retired, necessitating tailored training programs for the new recruits to ensure operational readiness.
• Updated the online Radio Team Volunteer Handbook to reflect current practices and protocols.
• Implemented an upgrade to the NAS (Network Access Server), enhancing secure file storage and accessibility for emergency operations.
• Developed and initiated a comprehensive radio upgrade plan, aimed at maintaining robust radio capabilities. This upgrade is also in preparation for the transition to the new Public Safety Building’s smaller Radio Room.
4. Administration
• Actively participated in a two-day federal exercise co-sponsored by Public Safety Canada and the Department of National Defence (DND). Staff contributed to the planning working group and engaged in the following activities:
o Day One: Conducted a tabletop exercise focused on assessing and mitigating potential community impacts.
o Day Two: Supported the regional Reception Centre, which involved over 40 volunteers from across the region.
• Enhanced records management by implementing a new filing system designed to meet regulatory and operational requirements.
• Participated in the regional working group for Indigenous Engagement Funding, provided by the province to foster stronger relationships with Indigenous Nations. In addition to group activities, staff have engaged directly with the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations to strengthen partnerships.
• Successfully tested the desalination unit, confirming that the produced water meets potable standards.
• Actively contributed to regional emergency management forums, including the Regional Emergency Management Partnership (REMP) and the Local Government Emergency Program Advisory Commission (LGEPAC). Concluded tenure as Chair of the Emergency Support Services Directors Group for the Greater Victoria region during the December meeting.