PERIOD REPORT
DATE: January 06, 2020 Report No. FIRE-20-001
TO: Laurie Hurst, Chief Administrative Officer
FROM: Chris Jancowski, Fire Chief
SUBJECT:TITLE Fire Department - 2019 Third Period Report Body
The following is a report on the activities pertaining to the Fire Department from September 01, 2019 to December 31, 2019.
I. DIVISION ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES
1. Operations Division
|
Call Type and Volume |
Routine Activities |
|
Alarm calls |
45 |
Assist other agencies |
2 |
|
Assist public |
31 |
Bylaw inquiries |
9 |
|
Burning complaints |
7 |
General inquiries |
0 |
|
Hazardous materials |
3 |
Oil tank inspections |
9 |
|
Structure fires |
13 |
Placed on standby (C.S.R., Fire) |
4 |
|
Other fires |
1 |
Plan review |
9 |
|
Other responses |
7 |
Public ed. I hall tour |
2 |
|
Medical aid |
227 |
Fire investigations |
0 |
|
MVI |
13 |
Business licenses |
31 |
|
Rescue |
1 |
Car seat inspection |
1 |
|
Electrical emergency |
5 |
Assist public |
7 |
|
Total Period |
353 |
Total Period |
74 |
|
Responses YTD |
1066 |
Activities YTD |
268 |
• Noteworthy Emergency Responses
October 09, 2019
Esquimalt Fire Department responded to a mutual aid assistance request from the View Royal Fire Department for a multi-residential structure fire at 1201Craigflower Road. Chief 11, Battalion 10, Engine 10 and Ladder 10 responded and assisted with exterior fire suppression operations.
December 2019
During the month of December, the Esquimalt Fire Department responded to a higher than normal level of reported structure fires. These fires were caused by cooking activities and electrical power sources. On duty members responded quickly and damage was limited to appliances and contents within the area of origin.
2. Community Services
Prevention Activities
• Smoke Alarm Program
In October, the Department successfully completed our first community based smoke alarm campaign. This campaign was effective in that we made contact with over 300 homes in our community. The following is a brief summary of the program results.
o 1 in 17 homes had alarms that had reached their manufacturer expiration date but were still operational
o Less than 1% of the homes visited had no working smoke alarm
o 1 in 5 homes we provided an additional or replacement smoke alarm
o 1 in 30 homes needed a replacement battery only
o 1 in 7 homes were not protected by carbon monoxide detection
o 50% - no one was home at the time of our visit. An information package was left at their door with the offer for us to come back if the owner was interested in the free smoke alarm test.
In addition to the door to door campaign, members of the Department also attended the Esquimalt Farmers’ Market to provide smoke alarm information and to offer residential smoke alarm checks by appointment.
• BC Fire Code Inspections
The following table outlines the Company Level Inspection activities during 2019.
|
2019 Company Inspections |
|
Platoon |
Total Premises |
Inspections Completed |
Inspections to be Completed |
|
A |
148 |
148 |
0 |
|
B |
121 |
121 |
0 |
|
C |
131 |
131 |
0 |
|
D |
128 |
128 |
0 |
• Pre-Incident Planning
The Department continued to develop our pre-incident plans for structural buildings and pubic utility confined spaces.
During the last four months, the Department has completed another 24 pre-incident plans bringing our total number to over 350 plans to date. This represents approximately 68% of the multi-residential, commercial and light industrial buildings. These plans are used to quickly access and control building utilities to reduce property loss or to quickly locate and access people in medical distress.
In addition, “A” Platoon successfully completed the development of confined space rescue plans for all Township sewer and water chambers. These plans will assist in training and in rescue responses when time and safety are key factors.
3. Department Services
In October, Sean Owens of “B” Platoon led a project to update our emergency services mapping. This project included the updating of all new addresses, fire hydrant locations, salt water drafting sites and confined space locations within the Township. New maps were posted to various locations within the fire station and forwarded to our neighbouring fire departments.
This project has been further expanded regionally by sharing the digital mapping information with other local departments. Once these regional maps are created they can be hosted in our mobile data terminals for emergency responses in and outside of the Township. This project is ongoing and has been greatly assisted by Alex Tang from Development Services along with other local GIS and fire department staff.
The Department’s Mobile Data Terminal (MDT’s) has received an update to their dispatch software. Our Department is now operating the newest FDM mobile software in the province. These MDT’s allow our members to have current mapping and hydrant locations with live updates from dispatch. In addition, members can also access pre-incident plans and benchmark timelines while en-route to calls.
In November, the Department conducted Emergency Vehicle Operations (EVO) refresher courses for each crew. These sessions were instructed by a member from the Justice Institute of British Columbia.
Also in November, the Department hosted another British Columbia Automobile Association (BCAA) Car Seat Trainer workshop. This course provides firefighters with the training to instruct members of the community to install car seats safely and in accordance with manufacturer recommendations.
The Department also has completed a reconfiguration of all apparatus rear hose loads. B Platoon members led by Captain Buie did a great job of testing various configurations and locations for optimum performance.
4. Administrative Services
In October, the Department welcomed Neal Widdifield as our new Assistant Chief of Department Services. Neal comes to our Department with a diverse range of experiences in medical, emergency management, enforcement and fire services.
In November, Council approved the contract award for a new rescue vehicle to Fort Garry Fire Trucks. The expected delivery for the apparatus is December 2020.
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