PERIOD REPORT
DATE: January 02, 2018 Report No. FIRE-18-001
TO: Laurie Hurst, Chief Administrative Officer
FROM: Chris Jancowski, Fire Chief
SUBJECT:TITLE Fire Department - 2017 Third Period ReportBody
The following is a report on the activities pertaining to the Fire Department from September 01, 2017 to December 31, 2017.
I. DIVISION ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES
1. Operations Division
|
Call Type and Volume |
|
Routine Activities |
|
|
Alarm calls |
35 |
Assist other agencies |
2 |
|
Assist public |
7 |
Bylaw inquiries |
|
|
Burning complaints |
5 |
General inquiries |
1 |
|
Hazardous materials |
3 |
Oil tank inspections |
15 |
|
Structure fires |
7 |
Placed on standby (C.S.R., Fire) |
|
|
Other fires |
9 |
Plan review |
|
|
Other responses |
15 |
Public ed. I hall tour |
3 |
|
Medical aid |
380 |
Fire investigations |
|
|
MVI |
19 |
Business licenses |
|
|
Rescue |
3 |
Car seat inspection |
5 |
|
Electrical emergency |
4 |
|
|
|
Total Period |
487 |
Total Period |
26 |
|
Responses YTD |
1515 |
Activities YTD |
80 |
• Noteworthy Emergency Responses
December 02, 2017, the Department responded to a report of alarm bells emergency in a Multi-Residential Building in the 800 Block of Fleming Street. While responding to the alarm bells it was upgraded to a structure fire. Upon arrival crews entered the building and located a suite on fire on the fourth floor. This fire was quickly contained to the suite of origin. Additional assistance was provided by the CFB Esquimalt Fire Department and Victoria Police.
2. Community Services
Prevention Activities
In September, the Department completed another twenty four additional pre-incident plans. These plans are designed by firefighters to be used by fire crews responding to emergencies within a building. These plans provide quick information to crews when attempting to locate utility shutoffs, specific suites, or controls for fire suppression systems.
In October, the Department hosted the Annual Open House which was well attended by citizens of all ages. It was supported by the Esquimalt Lions, Esquimalt Emergency Program, Esquimalt Parks and Recreation Department, CRD Hazardous Materials Team and the CFB Esquimalt Fire Department.
In November, the Fire Chief for a Day was selected and held on November 22nd. This year’s winner Mason Jones was picked up at home in the morning and driven to school in a fire truck. At lunch, “The Chief” was picked up at school and taken to McDonalds for a meal of his choice, given a tour of the fire station, then dropped off at school again. Congratulations “Chief”!
In December, the uploading of the Fire Inspection Module was successfully completed by the Community Safety Division with the support of ECOMM technical services. This module enables the Department to track fire inspections in one single data base. This new database will link fire inspections, property contacts and emergency responses.
|
2017 Company Inspections |
|
Platoon |
Total Premises |
Inspections Completed |
Inspections Ongoing |
|
A |
145 |
140 |
5 |
|
B |
140 |
130 |
10 |
|
C |
132 |
132 |
0 |
|
D |
131 |
129 |
2 |
3. Department Services
In September, the Department hosted a ROCO USAR (Urban Search and Rescue) Level 2 Course. This course is the final step for several of the Department’s firefighters to achieve their Rescue Technician Certification. The Department currently has approximately 50% of its members trained in Level 1 skills and 25 % of the members trained as full technicians.
In October, Assistant Chief Serbic organized the opportunity to use new auto extrication tools. These tools are powered by battery technology and have increased mobility and cutting strength. As the Department moves towards the replacement of its current tools, these technologies should be further reviewed.
In November, the Department continued with its 2017 goal to increase our medical service skills. Through our Medical Director, Dr. Allan Holmes (Iridia Medical) our members received training on the use of Pulse Oximetry. This training will enable our members to use Pulse Oximeters in the field to provide an early set of vitals to pass onto the British Columbia Ambulance Paramedics. The goal of this new skill set is to increase patient pre-hospital diagnostics and care.
The Department also had several members attend the “Effective Team Building” training that was hosted by the Township. These opportunities provide a solid foundation of expectations for employees when working as part of a team.
In December, the Department hosted another offering of the Nozzle Forward Program. This program better prepares firefighters to handle and advance larger size fire hose as part of an interior fire attack team. This event was attended by several members of local fire departments and by our on-duty crews.
The Department was invited to participate in a CFB Esquimalt USAR (Urban Search and Rescue) training scenario. This scenario combined the skills and services of the CFB Esquimalt USAR Team, CFB Esquimalt Fire and our Department. This multi-agency drill incorporated live fire, collapsed building materials and automobiles.
4. Administrative Services
In September, the Department was invited to participate as a fire service representative in the Panasonic Technologies Workshop. This Workshop provided access to factory representatives who develop technologies based on user input. In addition, it also provided an overview of newer technologies that will be rolled out to market over the next several years.
In October, the Department participated in the BC Office of the Fire Commissioner debriefing for the 2017 Wildfire Season. This debrief provided a venue to share; a summary of the fire season, statistics of fire activity, lessons learned and concepts for future improvements.
In mid-October, the Department hosted the Township’s United Way Campaign’s Kick-off BBQ. This event was well attended from all departments of the Township and raised funds to meet the Township’s Annual Goal.
In November, the Esquimalt Fire Department received notice by Saanich Fire Department that future dispatch services will involve a new contract and significantly increased costs. The Department will review several options over the next several months and identify options for dispatch services.
In December, the Department assisted the BC Office of the Fire Commissioner as part of a working group to develop an Incident Command Team. This team will be designed to support all hazards response from a provincial structural fire response.
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