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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFD-5-95 THE CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON REPORT Meeting: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE File -r Date: APRIL 3, 1995 Res. By-Law# Report#:__F.DL-595_ File#: 1 n 12.6 Subject: FIRE DEPARTMENT MANAGEMENT PROGRAM Recommendations: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1.) THAT Report FD-5-95 be received; and 2.) THAT in preparation for future demands that will be placed on the fire department, an in-depth needs analysis be prepared. 1. BACKGROUND 1.1 On March 21 and 22, 1995 Deputy Chief Hesson and myself attended a two day seminar on Fire Department Management. 1.2 This seminar was the first of three components in a new program developed in co-operation between the Ontario Fire Marshal's Office and the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs. Upon completion of all three components the participants will be issued a diploma in Fire Department Management. 1.3 There were several reasons for the development of this program. The need for Fire Chiefs and Deputy Fire Chiefs to be thoroughly informed about new and existing legislation, related to the fire service, was identified. Improvement in handling department budgeting, risk management, development of department programs, needs analysis and stress management was recognized. Also, there is a need for discussion regarding development of plans for future growth and needs. These are among a wide variety of issues that will be covered in this program. Continued.... IS I t11111-­11L1.1A­ FD-5-95 - 2 - 1.4 2 -1.4 We discussed the primary goals of the Clarington Fire Department, as stated herein. The goal of the fire department is to provide fire protection services through a range of programs designed to protect the lives and property of the inhabitants from the adverse effects of fires, sudden medical emergencies or exposure to dangerous conditions created by man or nature; first to their municipality; second, to those municipalities requiring assistance through authorized emergency fire service plan and program (mutual aid) activities; and third, to those municipalities which are provided fire protection by the fire department via authorized agreement. In order to achieve the goals of the fire department, necessary funding must be in place and the following objectives met: 1. Identify and review the fire services requirement of the municipality. 2. Provide an administrative process consistent with the needs of the department. 3. Ensure that firefighting equipment and operating personnel are available within the municipality to.provide adequate response to a citizen's call within a reasonable length of time. 4. Provide departmental training to an accepted standard which will ensure the continuous up-grading of all personnel in the latest techniques of fire prevention, firefighting and control of emergency situations and to co- operate with other departments of the corporation with respect to management training and other programs. 5. Provide a maintenance program to ensure all fire protection apparatus, including allied equipment, is ready to respond to emergency calls. 6. Provide an effective fire prevention program to: (a) Ensure, through plan examination and inspection, compliance with j applicable municipal, provincial and federal fire prevention legislation, statutes, codes and regulations, (b) Reduce and/or eliminate fire hazards. i Continued.... i FD-5-95 - 3 - 7. 3 -7. Develop and maintain an effective public information system and educational program, with particular emphasis on school fire safety programs; and commercial, industrial and institutional staff training. 8. Ensure in the event of a major catastrophe in the municipality, assistance to cope with the situation is available from outside departments and other agencies. 9. Develop and maintain a good working relationship with all federal, provincial and municipal departments, utilities and agencies, related to the protection of life and property. 10. Interact with other departments of the corporation respecting the aspects of fire on any given program. 11. Ensure these objectives are not in conflict with any other department of the corporation. 1.5 We also took the time, at this seminar, to develop a mission statement for the Clarington Fire Department. The primary mission of the Clarington Fire Department is to provide a range of programs to protect the lives and property of the inhabitants of Clarington from the adverse effects of fires, sudden medical emergencies or exposure to dangerous conditions created by man or nature. 1.6 We were advised at this seminar, that because of funding cut backs and other fiscal concerns, the Office of the Fire Marshal will be putting the responsibility for inspections of such areas as hotel/motels, tourist sites, nursing homes and theatres, to name a few, that are presently handled by that office, to the municipalities. 1.7 This will impact heavily on the level of service we now provide. In the past, we were able to conduct inspections once every year to eighteen months. With the growth of the municipality, new legislation regarding the retrofit requirement for apartments and other recent legislation, we are now conducting inspections on a three year cycle. We believe this to be unacceptable and given the future demands that will be placed on the Fire Prevention Officer the inspection cycle will increase to four or more years, at present staffing levels. This all increases the level of fire risk in the municipality. ! Continued.... FD-5-95 - 4 - 2. 4 -2. COMMENTS 2.1 It is a foregone conclusion that with the increased demands on the Fire Prevention Division, increased staffing levels will be needed. Initial requirements will be for a second inspector as well as clerical help, so the inspector is not spending half of his time typing reports, violation notices, etc. 2.2 A complete needs analysis is required to be conducted and a report prepared to address future needs, due to both the down loading of provincial responsibilities as well as the anticipated growth in the municipality. This report will be prepared and presented to Council once complete. The time frame on this report will be four to six months. The report will take into consideration the recommendations of the last Ontario Fire Marshal's Survey as well as needs that have arisen since the survey was conducted. 2.3 Once the needs analysis is completed and presented to Council, a time frame will have to be set for addressing the results. The time frame will depend on the timing of the down loading by the Province, future growth and financial constraints. 2.4 It is the intent of staff to achieve the aforementioned goals and results of the needs analysis in the most cost efficient manner. We are committed to providing the best service possible and realize that budget constraints will make us examine every avenue available to us. We also feel that the content of the Fire Department Management Seminars will assist us in this regard. 3. RECOMMENDATIONS 3.1 It is respectfully recommended that report FD-5-95 be received for information. i 3.2 That the Fire Chief be directed to prepare an in-depth needs analysis for the Fire Department; and 3.2 That a report on the results of the needs analysis be presented to Council with recommendations on addressing the results by September of this year. Respectfully submitted, Reviewed by A 11X "Y Michael G. Creighton, MCT(A), CMM1 W. H. Stockwell, Fire Chief. Chief Administrative Officer 81") 4; i i