HomeMy WebLinkAboutFD-17-99
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Meeting:
Date:
Report #:
Subject:
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THE CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON
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REPORT
GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRA nON COMMITTEE
File# ?;h0~
Res. # G/fl-'ft6 -'1C(
By-Law #
OCTOBER 18,1999
10.12.6
FD-17-99 File#:
JOINT PURCHASE - FLASHOVER UNIT
Recommendations:
It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee
recommend to Conncil the following:
THAT Clarington Fire Department enters into a jo' t ventnre with Ajax, Pickering, Whitby and
Oshawa Fire Services to purchase a Flashover Sim lator for training purposes.
BACKGROUND
In recent years the number of structnral fIres has declined, . th a subsequent increase in other types of
emergency responses. With the decrease in frequency of r al structural fIres, fIrefIghters have not had the
practical experience to improve their skills, while at the same time experiencing increased liabilities with
respect to fIrefIghter safety.
Additionally, the fIre department does not have regular access to a training facility to conduct live fIre
training. As a result the training for interior frrefIghting and rescue has suffered.
In view of the foregoing, the fue departments in Ajax, Pickering, Whitby, Oshawa and Clarington are
proposing to jointly purchase and maintain a Flashover Simulator to properly train frrefIghters.
COMMENTS
A flashover may be defmed as phenomena that occur during a fIre in a structnre when combustible
materials within the structure are heated to the ignition temperatnre. Subsequently, the combustible
materials within this structure may ignite simultaneously and within seconds the temperature within the
structure will rise and exceed 650 degrees Celsius (1200 degrees Falrrenheit). This means when a flashover
occurs in a structure or a portion of a structure, such as a room, the entire area and its' contents are engulfed
in flames.
Recently, Divisional Chief Weir attended the Ontario Fire College to assist with a test pilot training session
involving a Flashover Simulator. He had the opportunity to experience frrst hand the unit in action with
early heat and smoke buildup, and as temperatnres increased from 300 degrees just 2 feet off the ground to
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temperatures around 1,150 degrees at the ceiling. All of a sudden a flashover occurred. The simulator
allows you to control the heat bnild up and the flashover, ensuring safety for the firefighters inside. In
his opinion, this type of training is absolutely necessary. Firefighters not only learn how this can occur, but
they leam early waming signs and some techniques to protect themselves should they get caught in a
flashover.
Our goals are to teach fIrefighters to recognize the warning signs of a flashover and realize the limits of
their protective clothing with the use of the Flashover Simulator. Although the protective clothing is
designed to protect firefighters it is not a licence to submit themselves to a recognizable hazard such as a
flashover.
After two hours of classroom training including lectures and videos on the science and warning signs of
flashover, and safety procedures, firefighters are rotated through the simulator in groups of six to eight and
spend roughly 15 to 20 minutes in the unit.
The Flashover Simulator consists of two all metal shipping containers which are connected to form a bum
module and an observation module. The fuel for the training exercise consists of five sheets of ~ inch
particle board that line the ceiling and sides of the bum module. A small fire is ignited in the comer of the
module and students observe the controlled fire while seated on low benches inside the observation
module. All students and instructors are suited in full protective clothing and self-contained breathing
apparatus.
The value of flashover training will be realized on the actual frreground where extreme heat and dense
smoke are present. Firefighters will recogrrize the dynamics and react accordingly. Learning from real
frreground experiences is not always survivable.
CONCLUSION
The fmancial impact of the simulator, including the trailer is estimated to be approximately $90,000
inclusive of all taxes. The formula being recommended for funding of the capital costs is for the five fire
departments to share on a per frrefighter basis. There are presently 557 frrefighters in the frre departments
which results in a cost of$161.58 per frrefighter, including full and part-time staff. The breakdown for
each department is as follows:
Ajax Fire Department
Clarington Fire Department
Oshawa Fire Department
Pickering fire Department
Whitby Fire Department
80 frrefighters
123 frrefighters
140 firefighters
94 firefighters
120 frrefighters
$12,927
$19,875
$22,622
$15,189
$19,390
TOTAL
$90,003
The co-operative venture is an attractive option as it establishes a large support base of resources. It also
shows a willingness for the various departments to work together in the training and safety of our
frrefighters.
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The City of Cambridge Fire Department purchased a simulator approximately two years ago and it was
jointly financed tInougb Waterloo and Kitchener Fire Departments. Surrounding fire departments as well
as private industry pay $125 per person to train in the simulator.
There has not been any funds budgeted in the 1999 Capital Budget for the purchase of the Flashover
Simulator, but will be addressed in the 2000 Capital. Weare however requesting Council pre-budget
approval at this time and the funds will be drawn from the Fire Department Equipment Reserve account as
part of our Capital Budget proposal.
RECOMMENDATION
It is respectfully reconunended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend that
Council approves this pre-budget request for the year 2000 and funds are set aside for this joint venture.
Respectfully submitted,
Reviewed by
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Franklin Wu,
Chief Administrative OffIcer.
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