Community and Protective Services Committee
Comité des services communautaires et de protection
and Council / et au Conseil
17 August 2009 / le 17 août 2009
Submitted
by/Soumis par : Steve Kanellakos, Deputy City Manager/Directeur
municipal adjoint,
City Operations/Opérations municipales
Contact Person/Personne ressource : Susan Jones, General Manager,
Emergency and Protective Services
(613) 580-2424
x25536, susan.jones@ottawa.ca
SUBJECT:
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OBJET :
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That Community and Protective Services Committee and Council receive this report for information.
Que les Services communautaires et
de protection ainsi que le Conseil reçoivent ce rapport aux fins d’information.
City Council
approved Recommendation 4 of the 2006 Audit of the Ottawa Fire Services Branch
on May 23, 2007 as follows: “That the Ottawa Fire Services develop an annual reporting
mechanism to provide Council with regular information on overall Branch
performance against objectives and performance measures, including the results
of all major fire events.” This report represents the first Ottawa Fire
Services Annual Report to Committee and Council in order to fulfill the
requirements of that recommendation.
This report is also related to ACS2009-COS-EPS-0049, which recommends the enactment of a Fire Services establishing by-law. That by-law requires an annual report to be prepared which will document Fire Services’; organizational structure, approved goals and objectives, a list of functions and services provided, and the level of service. This report represents the first annual report of the Ottawa Fire Service and will become increasingly robust and comprehensive in future iterations, as part of the Emergency and Protective Services departmental annual reporting cycle.
OTTAWA FIRE SERVICES
The goal of the Ottawa Fire Services as
approved by City Council on May 27, 2002 (ACS2002-EPS-FIR-0004) is to reduce or
eliminate loss of life and property.
Ottawa Fire Services strives to achieve this
goal by:
·
Encouraging a culture of promoting public fire safety to significantly
empower members of the Ottawa community to find local solutions to these
challenges;
·
Enhancing emergency response through use of a best-station response
model; and,
·
Stabilizing risk to life and property in large-scale community
disasters.
In order to
achieve the goal of the fire services, the following objectives have been
established:
·
Identify and review the fire risks of the municipality
and ensure programs are in place to minimize identified risks.
·
Provide an administrative process consistent with the
needs of the fire services.
·
To conduct fire prevention inspections upon request or
complaint
·
To distribute public fire safety education materials
to the community including home escape planning information and encourage the
use of Smoke Alarms
·
Ensure that fire fighting equipment and operating
personnel are available within the municipality to provide adequate response to
a citizen's call within a reasonable length of time.
·
Provide fire services training to an accepted standard
which will ensure the continuous up‑grading of all personnel in the
latest techniques of fire prevention, fire fighting and control of emergency
situations and to co‑operate with other municipal fire services with
respect to management training and other programs.
·
Provide a maintenance program to ensure all fire
protection apparatus, including allied equipment, is ready to respond to
emergency calls.
·
Ensure, through plan examination and inspection, that
required fire protective equipment is installed and maintained within
buildings,
·
Ensure compliance with applicable municipal,
provincial and federal fire prevention legislation, statutes, codes and
regulations in respect to fire safety.
·
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.
·
Ensure in the event of a major catastrophe in the
municipality, assistance to cope with the situation is available from outside
fire services and other agencies.
·
Develop and maintain a good working relationship with
all federal, provincial and municipal fire services, utilities and agencies,
related to the protection of life and property.
·
Interact with other municipal fire services respecting
the aspects of fire protection on any given program.
·
Ensure
these objectives are not in conflict with any other municipal services.
Key services as approved by City Council on May 27, 2002
(ACS2002-EPS-FIR-0004) provided are:
These services
are provided through the following divisional functions:
In 2008 Ottawa Fire Service carried out a review of all Level 1 Fire calls as part of the Station Location Study. Results indicated that stations in the “downtown core” area received a first vehicle response time of 5 minutes at the 90th percentile, which generally aligned with high-risk areas. Areas of the city, which were classified as suburban and had predominantly medium risk received an initial response time of 7 minutes in the 90th percentile and areas of the city commonly know as Rural with low risk received an initial response time of 14 minutes at the 90th percentile. In the absence of legislated initial response time standards for Fire Services, the Ottawa Fire Services staff proposed that these historical standards of initial response be an appropriate standard to be maintained in the future.
This initial response standard (5, 7 & 14 minutes) in conjunction with the Fire Marshal’s 10 firefighters in 10 minutes 90% of the time to a single family dwelling standard was proposed as the combined “Standard of Response” in the future for the City of Ottawa. This standard has been endorsed by the Ontario Fire Marshal and approved by City of Ottawa Council in October 2 2008 in report Ref N°: ACS2008-CPS-OFS-0001.
Ottawa Fire Services managed over 25,000
incidents of various types in 2008. Further, over 14,000 incidents required a
multi-station response due to the complexity and seriousness of the fire
event. The charts below outline the
trends in incident response since 2003. There was a 4.27% increase in total number
of incidents between 2007 and 2008.
YEAR |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
TOTAL # OF INCIDENTS |
27,613 |
24,221 |
25,193 |
24,437 |
24,730 |
25,785 |
CHANGE FROM PREVIOUS YEAR |
|
-12.28% |
4.01% |
-3.00% |
1.20% |
4.27% |
YEAR |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
TOTAL # OF VEHICLE
MOVEMENTS |
56,954 |
64,237 |
64,891 |
62,247 |
65,955 |
65,674 |
CHANGE FROM PREVIOUS YEAR |
|
12.79% |
1.02% |
-4.07% |
5.96% |
-0.43% |
Ottawa Fire Services tracks the incident
response by type to ensure that resources are being allocated appropriately
from the best location. The chart below highlights some of the more common
types of response that Ottawa Fire Services attends annually.
Ottawa Fire Services tracks the incident
response by type to ensure that resources are being allocated appropriately from
the best location. The chart below highlights the types of response that Ottawa
Fire Services attends annually.
Response Type |
2007 |
2008 |
Fire/Explosions |
1,193 |
1,083 |
Overpressure Rupture
/Explosion (no fire) |
16 |
21 |
Pre Fire Conditions (no
fire) |
1,178 |
1,097 |
Unauthorized Controlled
Burn |
593 |
539 |
Authorized Controlled
Burn Complaint |
119 |
137 |
False Alarm / Alarm
Equipment |
4,227 |
4,381 |
False Alarms / Human |
3,455 |
3,640 |
Other False Fire Calls |
375 |
352 |
Hazmat Calls |
538 |
576 |
Public Hazard |
1,194 |
1,432 |
Vehicle Rescues |
3,602 |
3,793 |
Technical Rescue |
280 |
357 |
Water/Ice Rescues |
75 |
71 |
Other Rescues |
69 |
73 |
Respiratory, Convulsions,
Seizure, Shock |
1,734 |
1,889 |
Medical - Heart Attack,
CPR, Stroke |
545 |
554 |
Drug or Alcohol related |
872 |
999 |
Cuts, Fractures, Burns,
Fainted |
1,050 |
1,135 |
DOA or Medical Aid not
Required |
771 |
811 |
Other
Medical/Resuscitator Calls |
1,085 |
1,107 |
Other Responses |
1,816 |
1,745 |
Total Incidents |
24,787 |
25,792 |
Total Vehicle Movements |
64,048 |
65,868 |
Total Dollar Loss |
$37,641,497 |
44,208,394 |
Staffing Levels Relative to
Population Growth
Despite a 24 per cent increase in population since 1992, Ottawa Fire Services’ suppression staffing levels has remained virtually unchanged. Through the efficient reallocation of resources between stations and the proactive nature of the fire prevention program, Ottawa Fire Service has continued to provide effective services to the City while avoiding costs where possible.
There has been a continued reduction in fire deaths in the City of Ottawa in 2008. This can be attributed to the efforts of all staff in promoting the “Wake-up, Get a Working Smoke Alarm” campaign. In addition, the Fire Suppression unit has been going door-to-door since September 2005 providing fire safety information to the public, which has been translated into 6 different languages besides English and French. Also, in May of 2007, Ottawa Fire Services, Prevention Unit partnered with Ottawa Community Housing to reduce fires in their properties by educating staff and building occupants.
In 2008 Ottawa Fire Services
responded to several large loss fires both commercial and residential. More
detailed information on these incidents can be found at, Schedule A- 2008
Large Loss Fires, of this document.
Incident
Address |
Dollar Loss |
1132 OLD INNES
RD |
$7,000,000.00 |
275 BANK
ST |
$2,000,000.00 |
1732 WOODWARD
DR |
$1,500,000.00 |
21 MADDEN
CRT |
$1,100,000.00 |
3191 ALBION RD
S |
$1,000,000.00 |
6 MIDLAND CRES
|
$1,000,000.00 |
3611 PADEN
RD |
$
980,000.00 |
659 BRONSON
AVE |
$
900,000.00 |
1500 ST
LAURENT BLVD |
$
900,000.00 |
6125 MALAKOFF
RD |
$
800,000.00 |
2365 GEORGINA
DR |
$
750,000.00 |
1187 ST JEROME
CRES |
$
585,000.00 |
617 ARC EN
CIEL ST |
$
555,000.00 |
New Stations
At its meeting of October 22, 2008, Council approved the
Fire Station Location – Phase 1 report, which outlined a methodology to assist
in identifying the geographic and resource requirements of future fire
stations. Kanata, Barrhaven and
Orleans, were identified as the next priority areas for the growth of Ottawa
Fire Services.
Ottawa Fire Services has begun building
a station in Kanata in 2009 with an anticipated opening date in 2010. Land
acquisition is underway for the new Barrhaven station, which is scheduled to be
completed in 2011. The final growth
area identified was Orleans bordered by Innes Road, Trim Road, Navan Road and
Renaud Road. Ottawa Fire Services is in the initial planning stages for the new
station, which has a proposed opening date of 2015.
Strategic Plan
Ottawa Fire Services has launched a strategic
planning initiative. The primary
objective is to develop a plan that outlines the branch’s vision, strategic
direction and priorities, including the types of capabilities, training and
skills that will be required to best ensure public safety in the future.
Efficiency through Technology
Ottawa Fire Services is undertaking, with its City of Ottawa partners, a pilot project to implement mobile office capability in its operations in an effort to reduce costs and improve staff efficiency. In addition Ottawa Fire Services is investigating the benefits of implementing technologies such as traffic pre-emption, in-vehicle mapping, GPS/AVL, and out-of-station vehicle dispatching to manage future growth and to improve response times throughout the City.
The
City of Ottawa has a modern and dynamic composite fire service. Fire Services
is committed to effectively managing personnel, assets, corporate standards and
the emergency scene. This involves balancing competing priorities and
facilitating the interaction between full-time and volunteer staff. Additional
opportunities to rationalize stations, equipment and personnel and improve fire
services are continually being investigated and implemented.
As this is an administrative report, no public consultation was required.
There are no legal/risk management implications associated with this report.
There are no financial implications associated with this report.
Document 1 - Schedule A- 2008 Large Loss Fires
The Ottawa Fire Service will report back in 2010 with 2009 year-end results in accordance with the Ottawa Fire Service Establishing and Regulating By-Law.
Document 1
Schedule A- 2008 Large Loss
Fires
1132 Old Innes
Road 08-74036 Nov. 25/08 $7,000,000
Occupancy – Large
2 storey vehicle warehouse and maintenance shop w/ office space
Cause – Awaiting
report from OFM
Effect on the
Community – Temporary loss of jobs; loss of revenue; loss of revenue in
surrounding businesses; fear within surrounding businesses (that fire could
have spread to their homes and businesses).
275 Bank Street 08-55731 Sept. 15/08 $2,000,000
Occupancy – Mixed
four storey commercial occupancy
Cause –
Incendiary – awaiting report from OFM
Effect on the
Community – Temporary loss of jobs; loss of revenue to businesses and
surrounding businesses during fire supression; fear within community when
rumour of ‘arson’ was released.
1732 Woodward
Drive 08-75694 Dec. 1/08 $1,500,000
Occupancy –
10,000 sq. ft. commercial property containing a transmission company
Cause – Awaiting
report from the OFM
Effect on the
community – Temporary loss of jobs; revenue loss for company; revenue loss to
surrounding businesses during suppression activities.
21 Madden Court 08-65285 Oct. 19/08 $1,100,000
Occupancy – 6
unit , 2 storey townhouse
Cause –
Undetermined
Effect on the
community – Large dollar loss to community housing; tenants of all 6 units had
to be relocated / uprooted; large loss of personal items of tenants.
3191 Albion Rd.
S. 08-28064 May 18/08 $1,000,000
Occupancy –
150’x60’ one storey recycling garage, plus administration building
Cause –
Undetermined
Effect on the
community – Slow down / delays within scrap yard; no exterior problems or
effect on the community.
6 Midland Cres. 08-34490 June 13/08 $1,000,000
Occupancy – House
under construction plus a fully constructed and occupied home
Cause –
Undetermined
Effect on the
community – Owners of home under construction (which was only 4 weeks from
completion) suffered long delays and extended relocation; owners of fully
constructed home had to relocate until major repairs were completed; Neighborhood fears of how fire started
(arson) and were requesting more OPS presence.
3611 Paden Road 08-04475 Jan. 24/08 $980,000
Occupancy – Two
storey single family home
Cause –
Undetermined
Effect on the
community – An all consuming fire left the occupants having to rebuild and
relocate until the new home was completed; no othere community effects as the
house was in a remote location.
659 Bronson
Ave. 08-76692 Dec. 6/08 $900,000
Occupancy –
Single storey convenience store attached to a two storey home
Cause – Awaiting
report from the OFM
Effect on the
community – Loss of revenue for business; loss of revenue for neighboring
businesses; relocation of occupants within the two storey home; closure of one
lane on Bronson Ave. for five days led to traffic jams, frustration of those
living in the area and traffic confusion.
1500 St. Laurent
Blvd. 08-52521 Aug. 31/08 $900,000
Occupancy –
Articulated OC Transpo bus, located inside a maintenane garage
Cause –
Accidental – failure of the charger module in the right rear engine compartment
Effect on the
community – One bay within the maintenance garage was unusable for a short
period of time, other than that no commuters were affected by the loss of the
bus.
6125 Malakoff
Road 08-20048 April 16/08 $800,000
Occupancy – Large
barn containing machinery for a large farming operation
Cause –
Accidental – spark from a grinding wheel ignited nearby combustible materials
(straw)
Effect on the
community – Large impact on the farming operation – revenue loss, property loss
and loss of production during period without machinery; no community effect
beyond the immediate farm operation.
2365 Georgina
Drive 08-17850 April 5/08 $750,000
Occupancy –
Single family home
Cause –
Accidental – radiant heat from a 500 Watt halogen bulb igniting combustible
material within the attic.
Effect on the
community – Relocation of the occupants; fear within community regarding their
homes and its construction.
1187 St. Jerome
Cres. 08-44772 July 27/08 $585,000
Occupancy –
Detached, two storey, single family home
Cause –
Accidental – originated within the motor vehicle that was parked in the
attached garage
Effect on the
community – Public concern as house was located by a park and witnessed by many
people; total rebuild for the owners; long relocation time for the occupants;
major repairs required to neighbors on either side; fears within the
neighborhood regarding their own cars within garages.
617 Arc en Ciel
Street 08-31453 May 31/08 $555,000
Occupancy –
Detached single family dwelling with an attached garage
Cause –
Undetermined
Effect on the
community – Relocation of occupants; large loss of belongings; fear within the
community regarding their own homes.