PERIOD REPORT
DATE: December 31, 2016 Report No. FIRE-17-001
TO: Laurie Hurst, Chief Administrative Officer
FROM: Chris Jancowski, Fire Chief
SUBJECT:TITLE Fire Department - 2016 Third Period ReportBody
The following is a report on the activities pertaining to the Fire Department from September 01, 2016 to December 31, 2016.
I. DIVISION ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES
1. Operations Division
|
Call Type and Volume |
Routine Activities |
|
Alarm calls |
44 |
Assist other agencies |
2 |
|
Assist public |
36 |
Bylaw inquiries |
1 |
|
Burning complaints |
6 |
General inquiries |
5 |
|
Hazardous materials |
7 |
Oil tank inspections |
11 |
|
Structure fires |
0 |
Placed on standby (C.S.R., Fire) |
5 |
|
Other fires |
9 |
Plan review |
2 |
|
Other responses |
0 |
Public ed.I hall tour |
1 |
|
Medical aid |
349 |
Fire investigations |
0 |
|
MVI |
18 |
Business licenses |
7 |
|
Rescue |
2 |
Car seat inspection |
1 |
|
Electrical emergency |
5 |
|
|
|
Total Period |
476 |
Total Period |
35 |
|
Responses YTD |
1492 |
Activities YTD |
173 |
2. Community Services
Records and File Management
With the assistance of the Township’s Corporate Services Department, the Department is continuing steady progress in its file management re-organization. These administrative files have been reorganized to meet the common practice currently used by Corporate Services in accordance with the Local Government Management Association Records Classification System adopted by the Township. In early 2017, the focus will shift towards the re-organization of training and prevention files.
As part of the improvement to Fire Inspections records, Community Services has initiated discussions with ECOMM to migrate our Access and Excel databases to the FDM system. This transition will take several months and is expected to be completed in 2017.
Lock Box Program
Community Services has been focused on the final stages of our Lock Box Bylaw implementation process in 2016. Many of the residential buildings within our community have installed new Lock Boxes over this period. Buildings that have not installed lock boxes by the end of the year are having their keys returned until such time as compliance has been achieved.
Pre-Incident Planning
Pre-incident planning development has been steady in the third period of 2016. The Department has completed 24 preplans that have been forwarded to ECOMM for programming. These pre-incident plans are connected to a specific property and can be accessed from our apparatus Computer Assisted Dispatch terminals. The Department is on schedule to achieve another 24 plans within the first few weeks of January.
Community / Special Events
In October, the Department hosted our annual open house. This event was attended by a good number of community residents even while experiencing a tremendous rain and wind event. Activities at the open house included emergency equipment displays, fire extinguisher training and activities for the children.
As part of ongoing professional development for department members in fire prevention, Community Services scheduled several BC Fire Code training sessions. These half day sessions provided new and refresher skills for all four platoons.
|
2016 Company Inspections |
|
Platoon |
Total Premises |
Inspections Completed |
Inspections Ongoing |
|
A |
143 |
143 |
0 |
|
B |
130 |
130 |
0 |
|
C |
133 |
133 |
0 |
|
D |
138 |
138 |
0 |
3. Department Services
Training and Skill Development
Members of the Department have been very active this period with internal and external training. Several senior firefighters have participated in online and external fire officer courses.
During this period, Department Services hosted several courses for members and firefighters and officers of neighbouring departments. These courses provide an opportunity for members while on and off duty to receive training without travelling outside of the region.
The Department hosted several one day sessions for the NFPA 1521 Incident Safety Officer Program. This training was presented by VIERA Fire Academy. In addition to on duty members, members from other departments including CFB Esquimalt attended these sessions.
In November, the Department hosted a second Rapid Intervention Training Workshop. This workshop instructs members on new techniques and practical scenarios to rescue trapped or injured firefighters. This session was hosted at the CFB Urban Search and Rescue training ground and observed by many local fire departments.
Also in November, the Department hosted a Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC) Public Information Officer Course. This course involved several of our firefighters and officers along with other firefighters within the region. This course prepares members to deal with the media and communicate key operational messaging during emergency events. This course is also part of the JIBC Fire Officer 3 program.
A notable training event in this period was the Nozzle Forward Program. This program was instructed by a member of the Seattle Fire Department and has received recognition throughout North America. The Department hosted this event for the first time in British Columbia with attendees from other fire departments from Alberta, Lower Mainland and across Vancouver Island. This course was well received and has been incorporated into Esquimalt Fire Department operations.
Technology
In September the Department met with several other neighbouring and regional fire departments in the region to better understand communication challenges and operational needs. As a result of these meetings, the Department reconfigured our channel index within our mobile and portable radios. This new channel index was incorporated as part of the new 700 mhz equipment.
In November, our new Computer Assisted Dispatch (CAD) terminals were implemented into our smaller command vehicles. As part of this implementation, feedback has been positive on the benefits of these types of devices. The Department will implement the next CAD on Engine 1 in January 2017.
The Department implemented the new 700 mhz portable radios in December 2016. These radios incorporate newer technologies and include a dedicated fire ground / simplex channel for Esquimalt Fire operations. These radios are expected to have a life span of over a decade.
4. Administrative Services
In September, the Department started the apparatus bay renovation project. The scope of the project was to extend the current apparatus bays to the North by approximately 28 feet. This extension will enable larger fire apparatus to be positioned in a back to back configuration. Project Management has been done by fire department staff along with Praxis Architecture. The project is scheduled to be complete in the first week of January.
In October, the Department along with other members of the Township staff participated in Shakeout 2016. This event brings awareness to Department members of the importance of self and community-wide preparations for earthquake emergencies.
In November, the Department advertised a joint recruitment process with Oak Bay Fire Department. Both departments had a need to create a pool of eligible candidates in addition to our need to hire one firefighter to replace a recently retired member. This process incorporates several steps such as written exams, physical testing and interviews to select the most qualified individuals. This process will be concluded in the first few months of 2017.
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 Officer's Association
• Esquimalt Community Safety Staff Working Group
• Local Government Emergency Program Advisory Commission
• Department Safety Committee
• BC Burn Fund