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Emergency Services
Report
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Report To: General Government Committee
Date of Meeting: May 6, 2019
Report Number: ESD -003-19 Resolution: GG -248-19
File Number: By-law Number:
Report Subject: Emergency and Fire Services 2018 Annual Report
Recommendation:
1. That Report ESD -003-19 be received for information.
Municipality of Clarington
Report ESD -003-19
Report Overview
Page 2
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 2018.
1. Background
1.1 Staff have prepared the 2018 Annual Report (Attachment 1) and would like to highlight
some key items, for your information.
1.2 Fire Suppression staff responded to 3,929 calls in 2018, an increase of 6.91% over
2017.
1.3 The department saw an increase in the majority of each response type: Public Hazard
being up approximately 21 % due to extreme wind causing power lines down and arcing
due to fallen trees.
1.4 Plans Review and Site Visits increased for Fire Prevention Inspectors by 12.45% and
42.97%.
2. Concurrence
Not Applicable
3. Conclusion
It is respectfully recommended that this Report be received for information.
4. Strategic Plan Application
Not applicable.
JSubmitted by: Reviewed by
Gord Weir,
Director of Emergency & Fire Services
Andrew C. Allison, B. Comm, LLB
CAO
Staff Contact: Gord Weir, Director of Emergency & Fire Services, 905-623-5126 ext. 2816 or
gweir@clarington.net
Attachment:
Attachment 1 — Emergency and Fire Services — 2018 Annual Report
There are no interested parties to be notified of Council's decision
COD
Annual Report 2018
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On behalf of Clarington Emergency and Fire Services (CEFS), I am
pleased to present the 2018 Annual Report. This report provides an
overview of the activities D\&TfLD\NG2l]WAKH1IIHSDUR I --IW P HUI HCFA
Response, Fire Prevention, Training and Mechanical Divisions.
2018 began with changes to the Emergency Management By-law,
bringing it up-to-date with current standards. We also identified the need
to enter into an Automatic Aid Agreement with Oshawa Fire Services due
to the expansion of Highway 407. This agreement covering the highway
between Harmony Road and Enfield Road, allows for each department to
respond more quickly than the fire department situated in its municipality.
Throughout the year, CEFS continued to improve in areas of training and
response to serve evolving needs. The Training Division launched a new
training management application which enhanced the method staff
receive, conduct and record their training. This application provides more
than 450 hours of fire department education in addition to exercises
generated by the Training Division.
As Clarington continues to grow, develop and diversify, we center our
efforts on responding to accelerating influences in an ever-changing
environment. Our eyes are focused on emerging trends and threats
driven by changing demographics, urban growth and natural
disasters/weather patterns. We continue to focus on fire safety and
prevention through education and prevention mechanisms because we
believe it works.
Thank you Mayor Foster, members of Council, municipal staff and most
importantly, CEFS staff for their support, hard work and dedication in
serving the Municipality of Clarington.
.__�j, "'�
Gord Weir
TINFPA
certifications
increased
for staff
707 homes
visited across
Clarington for
the Alarmed
for Life
Program
*lights
Training
increased in the
areas of PTSI
(post-traumatic
stress injuries)
and Mental
Health
Total
Responses
� 3,92 9
6.91 % increase
over 2017
Approximately
3,700 people
attended Family
Safety Day with
60 community
organizations
participating
Fire Losses
are estimated at
$2,738,750
a decrease of
almost 35.48%
Total Fire
Responses
r
128
up 7.56%
from 2017
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.
Station 1
Bowmanville
JLQLIVI I' -
Newcastle
Station 4 Station 5
Courtice Enniskillen
Station 3
Orono
Our greatest asset is our personnel; a group of highly trained, dedicated individuals who pride
themselves on customer service excellence.
Division
Number of
'-rsonnel
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
What Services Do We Provide?
Our Vision
We are dedicated to a
fire safe community
1. Fire Safety Education
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
Li 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:
0 Alarmed For Life Program
0 Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week
0 Community Fire Safety Programs
0 Family Safety Day
0 Fire Prevention Week
0 Junior Firefighter Program
0 Portable Fire Extinguisher Training
0 The Arson Prevention Program for Children (TAPPC)
2. Fire Prevention, Inspection and Enforcement
F1 Inspect commercial, residential, vulnerable occupancies and industrial mercantile
for Fire Code compliance
F1 Enforce the Fire Code and related fire safety standards
3. Emergency Response (Suppression)
Li Respond to emergencies including:
0 Fire, CO alarms, medical, accidents,
natural disasters and public hazards
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.
i Exemplary service is characterized by good conduct, industry and efficiency. In 2018
the following recipients achieved the Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal:
i
,= 0 Paul Hutchison, Volunteer Firefighter 20 year Federal Medal
E::g
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
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companion brooch. In 2018, the following recipients achieved the Ontario Fire Services Long
Service Medal:
f Bill Hesson, Deputy Fire Chief 35 year Provincial Bar
f Bill Reid, Fire Inspector ❑ 3 year Provincial Bar
Promotions
Captains Peter Lomax, Paul Shcherbak, Gary Dusseldorp, Randy Cowan and Mark Ulrich
were promoted to the rank of Platoon Chief.
Acting CaptainV-5 LFKDLGI11DE1t3 DXC2 1+ DLHl_DM Marc Ladouceur were promoted to the rank of
Captain.
Firefighters Paul Rowan, Jason Hansen and William Speakman were promoted to the rank of
Acting Captain.
Firefighter Edward Donnelly was promoted to Training Officer.
Volunteer firefighters Paul Vanderbruggen and Mike DiLella were promoted to the rank of
Acting Captain.
J=.
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I 1
I• -
a
4
Departures
Fulltime Staff
Platoon Chief
Paul Shcherbak
28 Years of Service
Fire Inspector
Jennifer Delaney
8 Years of Service
z
Firefighter
Owen Ferguson
29 Years of Service
Fire Inspector
Jacquie Hill -Bower
16 Years of Service
❑❑❑EVA;U U.HV=1EI1❑❑EVRllA P H W F❑11Falls, so
many lives saved and everlasting memories.
Thank you for your dedication and services to
the Municipality of Clarington.
Volunteer Staff with More than 10 Years of Service
Captain (Station 1)
Brett Jeffs
11 Years of Service
Acting Captain (Station 1)
Mark Lathangue
10 Years of Service
Firefighter (Station 3)
Dave Lawson
14 Years of Service
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.
With the retirement of 2 fire inspectors the department welcomed Matthew Muirhead and
Jeffery Norris in November 2018. Their past experience will be a great asset to the division.
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.
Our safety lectures are tailored to each age group: Children receive information about Smoke
Alarms, Stop Drop and Roll, Community Helpers and educational stories about fire safety.
High school co-op students receive information about fire safety in the workplace, alarm
systems, fire safety planning and the responsibilities of the employer.
Fire Prevention staff also participate in The Arson Prevention Program for Children (TAPP-C).
This is a collaborative program that involves fire service and mental health professionals
working together to provide a program for youth who have played with fire or set fires,
including playing with matches or lighters, burning paper or garbage, etc. Through this
program staff teach fire safety knowledge and skills, improve home fire safety, and provide
positive role models.
)id you
•.now?
_Heating equipment is the
second leading cause of
home fires
❑Cooking is the #1 cause of
home fires
71Smoking is the #1 cause of
fatal home fires
Electrical distribution
equipment is the fourth
leading cause of home fires
❑Statistics provided by the
Office of the Fire Marshal and
Emergency Management
A total of 94 public education activities were performed in 2018. The table below provides a
breakdown of the various public education activities we attended.
2018 Alarmed for Life Program
Staff visited 707 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
\NH -P DCN
❑ 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.
Family Safety Day and Fire Prevention Week
On September 29 we held our 18th annual Family Safety Day, alongside 60 organizations to
share safety tips and educate the community. We calculate approximately 3,700 attended!
Our message for Fire Prevention Week was 'Look. Listen. Learn. Be aware ❑fire can happen
anywhere. -which we spread through the distribution of literature and reusable shopping bags.
7KULA-DI. AN -P H1G-QUHd essential ways people can reduce their risk to fire and be
prepared in the event of one.
LOOK. LISTEN. LEARN. n
Be aware.
Fire can happen anywhere
X 116,
Look ❑for possible hazards in your home and
eliminate them
Listen ❑ for the sound of the smoke alarm
Learn ❑ two ways out of each room of your home
Station Tours
26
School Visits
11
Public Events
17
Safety Lectures
31
Extinguisher Training Events
9
Fire Truck Visits
0
TAPP-C Attendance
0
2018 Alarmed for Life Program
Staff visited 707 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
\NH -P DCN
❑ 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.
Family Safety Day and Fire Prevention Week
On September 29 we held our 18th annual Family Safety Day, alongside 60 organizations to
share safety tips and educate the community. We calculate approximately 3,700 attended!
Our message for Fire Prevention Week was 'Look. Listen. Learn. Be aware ❑fire can happen
anywhere. -which we spread through the distribution of literature and reusable shopping bags.
7KULA-DI. AN -P H1G-QUHd essential ways people can reduce their risk to fire and be
prepared in the event of one.
LOOK. LISTEN. LEARN. n
Be aware.
Fire can happen anywhere
X 116,
Look ❑for possible hazards in your home and
eliminate them
Listen ❑ for the sound of the smoke alarm
Learn ❑ two ways out of each room of your home
lunior Firefighter Program
On July 2, CEFS and Ontario Power Generation (OPG) welcomed the first group of children to
participate in the 24th 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 and personal safety skills as well as team work
abilities.
Community emergency responders such as the Region
of Durham Paramedic Services, CN Police Service and
Durham Regional Police came to speak to them about
their jobs. Staff from OPG V__ HVU YM) WHI_DM
Rescue Training Academy also participated in teaching
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 1V, H5D\@OVfiRWD
H -FHBQMLIH AD _L
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
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 [I Assembly Occupancies
❑ Group B []Care and Detention Occupancies
F Group C ❑ Residential Occupancies Where Occupant Load
Exceeds 10
❑ High Hazard Industrial Occupancies
❑ Medium Hazard Industrial Occupancies
11 Low Hazard Industrial Occupancies
A total of 356 inspections were conducted in 2018. The table below lists the total number of
inspection services performed.
"MIM 91MIA
Inspections
356
Complaints Response
108
Burn Permits
155
Fire Safety Plans Reviews
81
General Plans Reviews
280
Site Visits
183
Fire Investigations
12
FPPA Part 3 Charges Laid
1
FPPA Part 1 Charges Laid
2
The department responded to several grass fires during the spring of 2018. A burn ban was
issued during the month of July as a result of the continued hot dry weather. All burn permit
holders received notification through our alerting system to cease burning until further advised.
We continue our efforts in reminding residents about the municipal by-law requiring a burn
permit to set an open-air fire. Burn permits are only issued for the purpose of burning brush in
rural areas of 10 acres or more; not for campfires or disposing of building materials/garbage.
i
Fire Suppression
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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.
The retirement of 2 suppression members in 2018 provided us an opportunity to promote Matt
Ferguson (start date: July 9, 2018) and Ian Roy (start date: January 21, 2019) to fulltime
firefighters from our volunteer ranks.
In addition, the department hired 13 new volunteer firefighters targeting our full complement of
25 volunteer firefighters for each of our five stations.
Fraining
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:
Building Construction; staff reviewed training documents describing the various
characteristics of building materials, the five types of construction, and hazards that
buildings under construction or demolition pose to firefighters. As well as, how the
contents of a structure affect fire -suppression operations. Crews also visited local
building sites to become familiar with the various stages of development and the
importance of pre -incident planning and incident size -up.
Firefighter Survival; this year two of our fulltime firefighters attended a specialized
training course in firefighter survival. Both firefighters are now certified Firefighter
Survival Instructors through the International Association of Firefighters. This
certification allows them to share their knowledge of the 12 skill centers with
department staff.
Rope Rescue; firefighters lower themselves using a system of anchors, webbing, ropes,
carabiners and other devices to reach a trapped person. Our staff expanded their skill
set to include ascending which allows a firefighter to raise themselves without
assistance from the anchor crew.
Emergency Response Statistics
In 2018, crews were dispatched to a total of 3,929 emergency incidents of which 128 (3.26%)
were fires with an estimated dollar loss of $2,738,750. The following is a summary of
emergency incidents by response type.
2018 Incident Breakdown
Response Type
2017
Volume
i
Volume
.-
ollume
+11.94%
2018
% of Total
Incidents
1.91%
Fires / Explosions
67
75
Outdoor (No Loss Fires)
52
53
+1.92%
1.35%
Burning Controlled
69
78
+13.04%
1.98%
CO False Calls
169
150
-11.24%
3.82%
False Fire Calls
328
383
+16.77%
9.75%
Medical/Resuscitator Call
1953
2108
+7.94%
53.65%
Other Response
344
385
+11.92%
9.80%
Overpressure
Rupture/Explosion (No Fire)
1
1
0.00%
0.03%
Pre Fire Conditions/No Fire
65
57
-12.31%
1.45%
Public Hazard
173
208
+20.23%
5.29%
Rescue
454
431
-5.07%
10.97%
Call Volume by Geographical Area
Geographical
Bowmanville and surrounding area
1,903
Newcastle and surrounding area
669
Orono and surrounding area
236
Courtice and surrounding area
996
Enniskillen and surrounding area
125
Annual Totals
Call Volume
3,483
3,636
3,737
3,675
3,929
Civilian Injuries
2
3
5
1
1
Firefighter Injuries
4
1
0
0
0
Fatalities
0
1
0
0
0
Dollar Loss
$5,661,800
$4,563,251
$6,248,757
$4,244,699
$2,738,750
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.
7LP F+RMV-RlFM0LDJ\RQand Salvation Army Fifor providing food and beverages to our
residents and firefighters during emergencies.
ONTARINUIWER .
GENERATION .
Darlington Nuclear r Y
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Connect With Us
I ln@ClaringtonEFS I
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� 905-623-5126
u fire@clarington.net