Corporate Report. Recommendation That Council approve the formation of the 2015 Master Fire Planning Committee; and

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1 Corporate Report Report from Fire and Emergency Management Services, Fire Chief Date of Report: October 20, 2015 Date of Meeting: November 16, 2015 Report Number: FEM File: Subject: Master Fire Planning Committee Recommendation That Council approve the formation of the 2015 Master Fire Planning Committee; and That Council appoint three representatives to participate on the Committee; and That the Terms of Reference attached (Appendix 1) to this report be approved; and That the Committee disband at the end of this term of Council. FORTHWITH Summary The purpose of this report is to provide Council with the information that it requires to approve the ten (10) year Master Fire Plan and the identified Committee recommendations within the report. Background The St. Catharines Fire and Emergency Management Services has been without a formal planning document since Staff is of the opinion that the Master Fire Plan, provides the framework that Council and senior staff can use to assist in the developing and maintaining of a level of fire prevention, fire protection and emergency management response that includes both a long term budgetary plan and that is acceptable to the community. Council, at their July 20, 2015, meeting requested a report on the reinstatement of the Master Fire Plan Committee and that Council appoint three representatives to form part of the committee. The Master Plan Committee is to present this plan to City Council for consideration as part of the Corporate Strategic Plan and priority setting process. Report By initiating a Master Fire Plan the City of St. Catharines seeks to strategically guide the St. Catharines Fire Services through the next ten (10) years of municipal growth. Report Page 1 of 3

2 The Master Fire Plan will include a review of all aspects of the department in order to ensure that performance standards and guidelines reflect best practices and are in compliance with the Ontario Fire Protection and Prevention Act (1997) and the Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management office. Master fire planning is fundamental to managing a community s fire prevention and protection services. Services provided by the St. Catharines Fire and Emergency Management Services include but are not limited to: Emergency Response Fire suppression Vehicle stabilization and extrication Rope rescue (high and low angle) Hazardous materials response (awareness level) Swift water rescue, ice water rescue, and land based water rescue Boat rescue Emergency patient care Fire Prevention Fire safety public education Inspections Fire investigations Code enforcement Training and Communications Moving Forward Developing and implementing a well thought out plan will provide the basis for understanding present and future fire prevention and protection risks to the community and to facilitate the implementation of a system for the effective and efficient use of resources to educate, prevent and to control the losses and their associated costs to the City. A comprehensive Master Fire Plan will provide a blueprint for the City of St. Catharines. The Fire Protection and Prevention Act (1997) clearly establishes municipal responsibilities for certain components of fire safety education, fire prevention and fire protection and other services that the city may deem necessary based on its local needs and circumstances. The Fire Protection and Prevention Act was written with the understanding that municipalities fund and deliver fire prevention and public fire protection and that they should have direction in the determining the most appropriate delivery model or system to be utilized. These decisions should be formulated through the application of sound risk management principles and practices. Report Page 2 of 3

3 Financial Implications There could be some financial implications to the Corporation due to additional staff overtime incurred, depending on the meeting dates approved by the Committee. Alignment to Strategic Plan Economic sustainability objectives will be enhanced/achieved through: Optimized operational efficiencies through a comprehensive review that will provide the most effective, efficient, and affordable fire protection services to the residents of the City of St. Catharines. Improved staff and resource allocation with the intent to identify, analyze, assess and address current and anticipated community fire risk over a ten (10) year period. This will ensure that a long range budgetary plan can be procured and sustained. Conclusion An approved ten (10) year Master Fire Plan will provide a framework to direct future fire prevention and protection services in order to meet the requirements of the Provincial Legislation, and it will take into consideration the Corporation s mandate to be fiscally responsible while identifying the needs of the community. This committee would be tasked with a review of the existing services, a comprehensive review of the core services currently provided and any identified future needs within the fire service. It is the intent that this be done with consideration being given to Council s and the Corporation s strategic planning priorities. Prepared and Approved by: Dave Wood, Fire Chief Fire and Emergency Management Services Report Page 3 of 3

4 Master Fire Planning Committee Terms of Reference Statement of Purpose In order for St. Catharines to establish and deliver services in accordance with its needs and circumstances, as required by the Fire Protection and Prevention Act (1997), it is imperative that Council be provided with the factual information to enable an informed decision-making process. The Master Fire Plan will provide clear and detailed direction for the Municipality s fire services by; Determining the municipality s fire protection needs and circumstances Identifying and analyzing service delivery gaps that may be identified when comparing the community s fire risk with the fire services capabilities and current service levels Identifying options or opportunities for developing and delivering the services through efficient and effective use of all resources and a long term budgetary plan that is acceptable to the community Providing an implementation strategy and/or schedule to serve as a management monitoring tool to ensure goals are achieved within the prescribed time frames. Composition 3 members of Council Commissioner of Corporate Services and/or Operations Director of Financial Management Services Director of Fire and Emergency Management Services 2 Deputy Fire Chiefs 2 representatives from Local 485 Professional Fire Fighters Association 1 representative from the Ontario Fire and Emergency Management Office Term of Appointments That the Master Fire Planning Committee disband at the end of this Council term. The Master Fire Planning Committee is an Advisory Committee of City Council

5 Reporting Structure The Master Fire Planning Committee Chair will report directly to Council. Administrative support to the Committee shall be provided by the St. Catharines Fire and Emergency Management department, which will assign a Secretary to the Committee Schedule of Meetings The Master Fire Plan Committee will meet at Fire Station #4 in the meeting room. Meeting Schedule to be determined by the Committee. 2 of 2