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Report To: General Government Committee
Date of Meeting: September 5, 2017
Report Number: ESD-005-17 Resolution:
File Number: By-law Number:
Report Subject: Emergency and Fire Services 2016 Annual Report
Recommendations:
1.That Report ESD-005-17 be received.
Municipality of Clarington
Report ESD-005-17 Page 2
Report Overview
The Emergency and Fire Services Department is responsible for delivering fire suppression
and emergency response, fire prevention and public education programs in accordance with
the Fire Protection and Prevention Act. Attachment 1 of this Report provides Council with an
overview of the activities associated with the Department’s Suppression and Fire Prevention
Divisions for 2016.
1. Background
Staff have prepared the 2016 Annual Report (Attachment 1) and would like to highlight
some key items, for your information.
1.1 Fire Suppression and Emergency Response
Fire Suppression staff responded to 3,737 calls in 2016, an increase of 2.78% over 2015.
The majority of our responses were Medical/Resuscitator calls at 54.29% however,
Outdoor (No Loss) Fires saw the largest increase from 2015 to 2016 at 41.26%. Illegal
burning was the cause of 35.96% of the Outdoor (No Loss) Fire incidents. Bowmanville
and Orono experienced the highest call volume for illegal burns. We hope to see a
decrease in the number of illegal burn incidents for 2017 as a result of a media release
reminding residents about the Open-Air Burning By-law and the requirements needed to
qualify for a burn permit.
In addition, we saw a 16.13% decrease in the number of Property Fires/Explosions with
fire loss however, it resulted in an increase of approximately $1,685,506 in terms of
property value loss.
1.2 Fire Prevention
We expanded our Fire Prevention team with the addition of Fire Prevention Inspector,
Derek Fraser. This addition allows for each inspector to perform more regular
inspections under their assigned occupancy types. The following occupancy types are
divided among the 4 inspectors:
Group A – Assembly Occupancies
Group B – Care and Detention Occupancies
Group C – Residential Occupancies Where Occupant Load Exceeds 10
Group D – Business and Personal Service
Municipality of Clarington
Report ESD-005-17 Page 3
Group E – Mercantile
Group F – High Hazard Industrial Occupancies
Medium Hazard Industrial Occupancies
Low Hazard Industrial Occupancies
Prevention staff are in the process of being cross-trained to enhance their knowledge on
all occupancies within the municipality, thus increasing the efficiency of our inspection
services.
2. Concurrence
Not Applicable
3. Conclusion
It is respectfully recommended that this Report be received for information.
4. Strategic Plan Application
Not applicable.
Submitted by: Reviewed by:
Gord Weir, Andrew C. Allison, B. Comm, LL.B
Director of Emergency & Fire Services CAO
Staff Contact: Gord Weir, Director of Emergency & Fire Services, 905-623-5126 ext. 2802 or
gweir@clarington.net
Attachments:
Attachment 1 - Emergency and Fire Services – 2016 Annual Report
There are no interested parties to be notified of Council's decision.
GW/pm
Annual Report 2016
Clarington Emergency and Fire Services
Enhancing Public Fire Safety is Priority #1
Message from the Director of
Emergency Services / Fire Chief
On behalf of Clarington Emergency and Fire Services (CEFS), I am
pleased to present the 2016 Annual Report.
This report provides an overview of the activities associated with the
Department’s Emergency Response and Fire Prevention Division.
Throughout the year, CEFS continued to pursue opportunities to improve
overall performance. Examples include investments in equipment such
as the purchase of a new Pumper for Station 1, installation of CriSys
response screens at Station 3 and 5 and the hiring of one additional Fire
Inspector. Staff also trained for preparedness on conspicuous properties
such as the decommissioned “Goodyear” plant, the Durham York Energy
Centre and the Port Hope Area Initiative at Port Granby.
As Clarington continues to grow, develop and diversify, we will continue
to monitor ongoing challenges and work hard to capitalize on future
opportunities.
2016 brought significant achievements. CEFS staff with 5 or more years
of service were processed through the Office of the Fire Marshal and
Emergency Management (OFMEM) grandfathering certification as
Firefighter, Officer, Instructor or a combination thereof. This certification
was issued to 121 staff based on their years of experience and training.
Our vision for the future is to continue to increase fire safety and fire
prevention through education and prevention mechanisms and to provide
high quality, efficient and effective emergency response. We have begun
investigating the use of laptops on our Pumpers and a new self-contained
breathing apparatus face piece that includes a thermal imaging camera to
improve the capabilities of our suppression staff. In addition, we are
reviewing the purchase of tablets for Fire Prevention inspectors to assist
them in providing a more efficient service.
None of our achievements are possible without the support of the Mayor,
members of Council, Municipal Staff and the hard work and dedication of
CEFS staff serving the Municipality of Clarington.
Gord Weir
2016 Highlights
Who We Are and What We Do
Clarington has five accredited fire stations that are located in specific areas within the
Municipality to provide the best emergency response and coverage of a large geographic area.
CEFS is the only composite fire service in the southern area of Durham Region.
Our greatest asset is our personnel; a group of highly trained, dedicated individuals who pride
themselves on customer service excellence.
Division Number of
Personnel
Director/Fire Chief 1
Deputy Fire Chiefs 2
Administrative Assistant 1
Clerks 2
Suppression - Fulltime 56
Mechanical Maintenance 1
Training 2
Fire Prevention 5
Suppression - Volunteers 125
Total Personnel 195
Station 1
Bowmanville
Station 2
Newcastle Station 3
Orono
Station 4 Courtice
Station 5
Enniskillen
What Services Do We Provide?
1. Fire Safety Education
Educate the public on fire/life safety through our public education programs, hall
tours, safety lectures and fire safety training. Our public education programs
include:
Alarmed For Life Program
Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week
Community Fire Safety Programs
Family Safety Day
Fire Prevention Week
Junior Firefighter Program
Portable Fire Extinguisher Training
The Arson Prevention Program for Children (TAPPC)
2. Fire Prevention, Inspection and Enforcement
Inspect commercial, residential, vulnerable occupancies and industrial mercantile
for Fire Code compliance
Enforce the Fire Code and related fire safety standards
3. Emergency Response (Suppression)
Respond to emergencies including:
Fire, CO alarms, medical, accidents,
natural disasters and public hazards
Our Vision
We are dedicated to a
fire safe community
Our Mission
To ensure we deliver
service excellence through public education, prevention, training and
emergency response
Our Values
Every member of
Clarington Emergency and Fire Services upholds the tradition of a composite
Department and with their skill and knowledge respond without boundary
Celebrating Success
Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal
The Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal program, created on August 29, 1985,
honours members of a recognized Canadian fire service who have completed 20
years of service, ten years of which have been served in the performance of duties
involving potential risks, and were employed on or after the date of creation of the
medal. Exemplary service is characterized by good conduct, industry and
efficiency. In 2016 the following recipients achieved the Fire Services Exemplary
Service Medal:
• Stewart Richardson, Firefighter – 20 year Federal Medal
• Mike McKelvie, Volunteer Captain – 20 year Federal Medal
• Richard Osborne, Volunteer Firefighter – 20 year Federal Medal
Ontario Fire Services Long Service Medal
First awarded in 1971, the Ontario Fire Services Long Service Medal is an expression of
appreciation and recognition of uniformed staff for 25 years of dedication and hard work within
the Ontario fire service. At 30 years of service and every 5 years thereafter, a service bar may
be requested and added to the medal’s ribbon. Spouses of medal recipients receive a
companion brooch. In 2016, the following recipients achieved the Ontario Fire Services Long
Service Medal:
• Jeff Dawson, Captain – 25 year Provincial Medal
• Richard Day, Acting Captain – 25 year Provincial Medal
• Norm Tillson, Volunteer Captain - 35 Year Provincial Bar
• Steve Chad, Volunteer District Chief – 25 year Provincial Medal
Promotions
Senior Training Officer, Tim Calhoun was promoted to Deputy Fire Chief.
Volunteer firefighters Mike McKelvie and Jamie Davidson were promoted to the rank of
Captain.
Departures
Deputy Fire Chief
Mark Berney
31 Years of Service
Captain
Don Chambers
27 Years of Service
Acting Captain
Carl Coatham
27 Years of Service
Volunteer Firefighter
Richard Griffin
31 Years of Service
100’s of fires, 1,000’s of emergency calls,
so many lives saved and everlasting
memories. Thank you for your dedication
and services to the Municipality of
Clarington.
Fire Prevention
Fire Prevention staff perform a variety of functions in accordance with the FPPA and policies
of the Department with one goal in mind; creating a fire safe community. These functions are
implemented through public education programs and fire inspections.
Fire Safety Education
We strive to educate the public about fire safety through various education programs, hall
tours and community events as well as provide safety lectures and fire safety training to
families, community groups, schools, clubs and businesses in Clarington.
A total of 163 public education activities were performed in 2016, an increase of 23.48% from
2015. The table below provides a breakdown of the various public education activities we
attended.
Public Education Activity Volume
Station Tours 26
School Visits 20
Fire Safety House Visits 4
Public Events 44
Safety Lectures 42
Extinguisher Training Events 10
Fire Truck Visits 4
TAPP-C Attendance
(The Arson Prevention Program for Children) 13
2016 Alarmed for Life Program
Staff visited 519 homes across Clarington for the Alarmed for Life Program. This is a
community-based program that is conducted during the months of June to October with the
focus on three core components:
Smoke Alarms; educate residents on the importance of working smoke alarms.
Smoke alarms are critical for life safety and are required on all levels of your home
and outside all sleeping areas. Alarms must be replaced within the time specified in
the manufacturer’s instructions.
Carbon Monoxide Detectors; must be located outside all sleeping areas if you have
an attached garage, a fireplace and/or a fuel fired appliance such as natural gas
and oil.
Home Escape Plan; communicating the importance of having a home escape plan
with recommendations of practicing the plan with 2 ways out to a predetermined
spot.
Pre-Planning and Familiarization Program
The goal of the Pre-Planning and Familiarization Program is to enhance firefighter safety and
the safety of citizens during an emergency response by providing firefighters with knowledge
of buildings in the community. This knowledge enables suppression crews to pre-plan their
actions in the event of an emergency.
The Senior Fire Prevention Officer administers the program prioritizing crew’s pre-planning of
the following building types:
Residential and Commercial buildings
Industrial Buildings with high fire loading
Group D Buildings (Business and Personal Services
Occupancies)
Group E Buildings (Mercantile Occupancies)
A total of 75 businesses, including the decommissioned “Goodyear” plant and the Durham
York Energy Centre were visited between the months of May and October.
Family Safety Day and Fire Prevention Week
On September 24 we held our 16th annual Family Safety Day, alongside various organizations
to share safety tips and educate the community.
The focus was reminding residents about the importance of checking the expiration date on
existing CO and smoke alarms. The message for 2016’s Fire Prevention Week was “Don’t
Wait Check the Date, Replace Smoke Alarms Every 10 Years”. This message was provided
through the distribution of literature and reusable shopping bags to approximately 3,500
attendees.
Among the interactive exhibits by Emergency and Fire Services, safety agencies, local
businesses and organizations, there were lots of activities, demonstrations and information for
all ages, including presentations from some of the groups attending. A total of 65
organizations participated in Family Safety Day, an increase of 14% from 2015.
Junior Firefighter Program
On July 3, CEFS and Ontario Power Generation (OPG) welcomed the first group of boys and
girls to participate in the 23rd annual Junior Firefighter Program. This program runs for 5
weeks during the months of July and August and teaches 200 children, ages 10 and 11 the
importance of fire safety, the role of a firefighter and what actions to take in the presence of an
emergency. The children learn some great fire safety and personal safety skills as well as
team work skills.
Community emergency responders such as the Region of
Durham Paramedic Services and Durham Regional Police
came to speak to them about their jobs. Staff from OPG’s
Wesleyville Fire and Rescue Training Academy also came
to the fire hall to teach the junior firefighters about fire
extinguishers and spraying water from a fire hose.
Each day the children are provided assignments to
reinforce the key learnings of the day with the hopes that
our fire safety messages prompt discussion and teach all
members of the household. As one parent expressed it was “the catalyst
for a lot of excellent fire safety conversations”.
Thanks to the generous donations and support from Ontario Power Generation, our
community and local businesses, the program continues to be a great success.
Fire Inspections
In 2016, CEFS expanded our Fire Prevention team and welcomed Fire Prevention Inspector,
Derek Fraser.
Our team of inspectors perform inspections and fire
investigations following a complaint, request, retrofit, or
when self-initiated in accordance with the Fire Protection
and Prevention Act (FPPA) and policies of the
department.
The following occupancy types are inspected on a regular basis:
Group A – Assembly Occupancies
Group B – Care and Detention Occupancies
Group C – Residential Occupancies Where Occupant Load Exceeds 10
High Hazard Industrial Occupancies
Medium Hazard Industrial Occupancies
Low Hazard Industrial Occupancies
A total of 341 inspections were conducted in 2016. The table below
lists the total number of inspection services performed.
Inspection Service Volume
Inspections 341
Complaints Response 141
Burn Permits 117
Fire Safety Plans Reviews 73
General Plans Reviews 224
Site Visits 85
Fire Investigations 14
FPPA Part 3 Charges Laid 7
FPPA Part 1 Charges Laid 1
Fire Suppression
Clarington’s fire suppression staff consists of 56 fulltime and 125 volunteer firefighters who
deliver fire suppression services in both an offensive and defensive mode, including search
and rescue operations, forcible entry, ventilation, protecting exposures, salvage and overhaul
as appropriate. Suppression staff also provide pre-hospital care through medical acts such as
defibrillation, standard first aid and cardio pulmonary resuscitation.
In 2016, 13 new volunteer recruits were hired toward maintaining a compliment of 25
volunteer firefighters for each of our five stations.
Every year staff perform vital training necessary to meet the legislative requirements of the
Ontario Fire Prevention and Protection Act (FPPA) and the Occupational Health and Safety
Act of Ontario (OHSA). The Senior Training Officer develops and implements the training
program for each year. Annual training, includes but is not limited to, fire suppression both
offensive and defensive, vehicle extrication, pre-hospital care, rope rescue, water/ice rescue
and hazardous material.
Training expanded in the following areas:
Rehabilitation Trailer; reviewed the importance of a rehab trailer, when and how it
should be used and familiarization of where to locate equipment. It is designed to
create a controlled space for firefighters at the scene of an incident or during training to:
Break from strenuous activity to help stabilize vital signs
Rehydrate and replace lost fluids/plasma volume
Restore core temperature through active cooling or warming
Receive medical monitoring and treatment
Provide relief from extreme climatic conditions (heat, cold, wind, rain)
Refuel: calories and electrolytes
Live Fire Training – Wesleyville; each year suppression staff attend live fire training with
staff from Ontario Power Generation at Wesleyville.
This mandated training allows staff to train on new skills
and technology in fire suppression activities as well
provides the opportunity to train on communication and
coordination with OPG staff in the event of a fire or
other incident at the nuclear generating station.
CP Rail – Crude by Rail; this year two of our Captains attended a Crude by Rail course
with Canadian Pacific Rail on train derailment. This mission specific training allowed
our Captains to share their knowledge with the Training Officer and staff.
Hybrid and Electric Vehicles; as technology continues to evolve, more hybrid and
electric vehicles are being driven. Staff are trained to be aware of common safety
concerns in vehicle stabilization procedures when attending an incident that involves at
hybrid or electric vehicle.
Firefighter Survival Prop; a firefighter survival prop was built to train suppression staff
on self-rescue techniques in the event of entrapment during an incident.
Our Training Division staff regularly take in depth courses in various specialties and vocations
that supply them with the necessary materials and skills to share with our Department and
enhance suppression capabilities.
Emergency Response Statistics
In 2016, crews were dispatched to a total of 3,737 emergency incidents of which 167 (4.67%)
were fires with an estimated dollar loss of $6,248,757. The following is a summary of
emergency incidents by response type.
2016 Incident Breakdown
Response Type 2015
Volume
2016
Volume
% Change
Volume
2016
% of Total
Incidents
Property Fires / Explosions 93 78 -16.13% 2.09%
Outdoor (No Loss Fires) 62 89 +41.26% 2.38%
Burning Controlled 122 119 -2.46% 3.18%
CO False Calls 167 187 +11.98% 5.01%
False Fire Calls 346 317 -8.38% 8.48%
Medical/Resuscitator Call 1,925 2,029 +5.4% 54.29%
Other Response 264 246 -6.82% 6.58%
Overpressure
Rupture/Explosion (No Fire) 1 3 +200% 0.08%
Pre Fire Conditions/No Fire 70 66 -5.71% 1.77%
Public Hazard 156 146 -6.41% 3.91%
Rescue 430 457 +6.28% 12.23%
Call Volume by Geographical Area
Geographical Area Call Volume
Bowmanville and surrounding area 1780
Newcastle and surrounding area 625
Orono and surrounding area 222
Courtice and surrounding area 964
Enniskillen and surrounding area 146
Annual Totals
Event Type 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Call Volume 3,411 3,405 3,483 3,636 3,737
Civilian Injuries 2 5 2 3 5
Firefighter Injuries 0 0 4 1 0
Fatalities 0 0 0 1 0
Dollar Loss $3,685,813 $2,995,046 $5,661,800 $4,563,251 $6,248,757
Acknowledgments
Clarington Emergency and Fire Services would like to acknowledge all agencies, businesses
and organizations that have collaborated with us this past year. We are grateful for your
support. Our goals are ambitious and your contributions make it all possible.
We are thankful for the continued support of:
Ontario Power Generation – because of your partnership with us, we are able to provide
residents with Family Safety Day and our Junior Firefighter program and continued training
and professional development for our front line staff.
Durham Regional Police - for your efforts in providing community safety and continued support
of our firefighters during emergency situations and participation in our Junior Firefighter
Program.
Region of Durham Paramedic Services - for working together with us on scene and helping
educate residents by participating in our Junior Firefighter Program and Family Safety Day.
Red Cross - for providing temporary arrangements to our residents who are displaced during
an emergency.
Tim Horton’s of Clarington and Salvation Army – for providing food and beverages to our
residents and firefighters during emergencies.
Connect With Us
@ClaringtonEFS
@clarchief
905-623-5126
fire@clarington.net