HomeMy WebLinkAboutFD-7-92 TRE CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF NEWCASTLE
REPORT
Meeting: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE File # '
Qete: Res.
JULY 20, 1992
Ry-Law#
Report#:�--.-FH--7=-9-2-- File #: 10 . 12 . 6
Subject: QUARTERLY FIRE REPORT - APRIL 1, 1992 - JUNE 30, 1992
Recommendations:
It is respectfully recommended:
THAT Report FD-7-92 be received for information.
1. BACKGROUND
1. 1 This Report covers the total calls responded to for the period
of April 1, 1992 to June 20, 1992 .
1.2 During this period, there were some calls of a substantial
nature. On May 1, 1992 Station #1, Bowmanville and Station
#2, Newcastle Village responded to a train fire in Newcastle
Village. The fire occurred in a crew train and caused
approximately $100, 000 damage.
1. 3 The Department was extremely busy on June 20, 1992 . At
approximately 10:00 a.m. Station #1, Bowmanville, Station #4,
Courtice and Station #5, Enniskillen responded, with the Fire
Chief, to a structure fire on Nash Road. The fire occurred
in a house, which was being renovated. Firefighters were on
the scene for approximately four hours and the investigation
carried on for another two hours. The investigation was
undertaken by the Fire Chief and an investigator from the
Office of the Fire Marshal, who are awaiting information to
determine the final cause of the fire.
Continued. . . . . . . . . .
lees is cerrrto cw eecvcieo rare n
FD-7-92, Cont'd. - 2 -
At approximately 8:40 p.m. that evening, Station #1,
Bowmanville and Station #5, Enniskillen responded with the
Fire Chief to a serious motor vehicle accident on Regional
Road 20 . The accident involved two vehicles and resulted in
six people being transported to hospital. Three firefighters
were required to respond in ambulances to assist the ambulance
attendant with the more seriously injured patients. All
firefighters at the scene showed great skill and compassion
in dealing with an extremely serious situation.
1. 3 The Department continues to deal with acts of vandalism in the
Town. On at least four occasions in this three month period,
we have responded to fires in abandoned buildings and trailers
caused by acts of vandalism. These circumstances have caused
great concern throughout the province and programs are being
developed to handle the situation of young fire setters . One
such program is presently being tried in Toronto and should
be available province wide, hopefully, in the near future.
1.4 The new bunker suits, which Council approved in the 1992
Capital Budget, have been received. Some have been
distributed to replace existing old or damaged suits, the
remainder will be distributed to the additional firefighters
approved for Station #5, Enniskillen, in September when
training commences for the recruits. We have also received
the new Haz Mat suits used for hazardous material spills.
These suits were ordered last year and delivered this year.
They meet all the required safety standards for hazardous
materials transported in this area.
1.5 The new training program, Skills Centre Training System, which
this department has developed, continues to receive great
reviews . All firefighters are finding it very worthwhile and
of great benefit. Modifications will continue, based on
feedback from both the Training Committee as well as the
firefighters involved in the training.
Continued. . . . . . . . . .
FD-7-92, Cont'd. - 3 -
1. 6 The breakdown of the calls for the period of April 1, 1992 to
June 30th, 1992 is as follows:
Structure fires 20 Burning complaints 31
Vehicle fires 25 Fuel spills 5
Check calls 9 Chimney fires 4
Grass fires 29 Hydro wires down 5
Motor vehicle accidents 11 Prop./Nat. gas leaks 0
Alarm activations 39 Mutual aid calls 0
Medical assist calls 39 Miscellaneous calls 49
Total calls for period - 266
1.7 The total fire loss for this period was $433,700, including
all types of fires, structure and vehicle.
1.8 The breakdown for calls from January 1, 1992 to June 30, 1992,
is as follows:
Structure fires 53 Burning complaints 42
Vehicle fires 39 Fuel spills 11
Check calls 35 Chimney fires 26
Grass fires 37 Hydro wires down 7
Motor vehicle accidents 30 Prop. /Nat. gas leaks 3
Alarm activations 73 Mutual Aid calls 1
Medical assist calls 58 Miscellaneous calls 64
Total calls to-date - 479
1. 9 Total fire loss for the period of January 1, 1992 to June 3,
1992 is $1,258,500 . This includes structure and vehicle
fires . Fires determined to be caused by arson account for
$453,800 .
2. COMMENTS
2 . 1 The Department has just completed a Motor Vehicle Inspection
Program for all department vehicles . Implemented by the
Ministry of Transportation, as of January 1, 1992, the program
resulted in some major repairs to several vehicles. This is
the first time that Fire Department vehicles have been
required to undergo such inspections . These inspections were
conducted by the Public Works Department mechanics. Although
it was a costly venture, the vehicles are all up to standard
and should require only minor repairs during the mandatory
annual safety inspection.
Continued. . . . . . . . . .
FD-7-92, Cont.d - 4 -
2 .2 Over the past three months the Deputy Chief has completed
courses in Fire Cause Determination and Fire Command. As Fire
Chief, I have attended courses in Emergency Planning and
Advanced Fire Investigation. These courses, as well as other
educational courses which are scheduled, will assist us in
conducting our responsibilities as the senior officers of the
Town of Newcastle Fire Department.
2 .3 The Fire Safety House has been widely used within the
community. Other departments within the region have taken
advantage of this education tool including Ajax, Whitby and
Uxbridge. Firefighters, both full time as well as part-time,
continue to contribute their time to assisting in the training
of children through this medium. It has proven to be a
fabulous educational tool.
2 .4 Fire prevention inspections continue to be a major priority
for the department. Firefighting crews have undergone Fire
Inspection Training, which will enable the crews to assist the
Fire Prevention Officer in conducting inspections. This will
allow the department to increase the number of inspections
conducted and reduce delays in reinspections being conducted,
allowing for some relief in the backlog of occupancies
requiring inspection.
3. RECOMMENDATIONS
3. 1 It is respectfully recommended that Report FD-7-92 be received
for information.
Respectfully submitted, Approved for presentation to
Committee
Michael G. Creighton, AMCT(A) , CMM Lawrence E. Kots ,
Fire Chief Chief Administra Officer.
MC/sr
July 8, 1992 .
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