Fire Protection In P.G. Needs Upgrades
Prince George, B.C.-When it comes to fire protection in Prince George, the news is not good.
( at right, a recent fire destroys a Pine Street home – photo 250News archive)
The Fire Underwriters Report, prepared by Michael Currie, of SCM Risk Management Services Inc. says the “level of risk has increased faster than the level of public fire protection in Prince George.” This report will be made available to insurance companies, and that could very well mean an increase in your fire insurance rates.
The last Fire Underwriters Study was done in 1985.
The report concludes that the City of Prince George is “a large service area and the fire department faces significant challenges in responding to all areas in adequate time frames for an effective level of service.” Currie says one of the issues facing Prince George is its large footprint "Prince George is spread over a large area, no question, making it difficult to achieve minimal response times".
The report presents 32 recommendations to improve fire service.
One of the recommendations is that the City conduct a Standard of Response Coverage Study. That project is already underway with the work to start in the 2nd quarter of this year.
The report raises serious concerns about the major mills. The report says remote areas of the city are not well served with fire protection “particularly for initial response.” The report says Northwood Pulp the PG Pulpmill and the planer mill are all areas where there is weak response.
The report says Fire Hall number 1 and it’s communication centre, should be replaced, and Halls, 2, 3, and 4 be upgraded. Currie says some of the halls don’t even have smoke detectors “These buildings are the heart of your emergency response, they need to be protected.” The report also calls for increased staffing and associated Frequency of Inspections and address Pre-incident planning.
When asked how the build with wood initiative plays into the risk factor, Currie responded “The risk of combustible construction can be mitigated by sprinkler protection. Be aware, during the course of construction, that risk can be considerably higher when the protection is not yet activated.”
Comments
“level of risk has increased faster than the level of public fire protection in Prince George.â
This so-called expert comes to town 34 years after the last report and highlights the fact that one of the issues is the City’s large footprint. I guess he is not aware that the footprint in 1985 was no different than it is now. The mills are located in the same location they were in 1985. In fact, we have fewer of them. Our houses were constructed out of the same platform wood construction.
Are we being told that the inspection in 1985 was inadequate?
I think the report should be made available to anyone who pays for fire insurance in this City. We have a right to know on what basis our insurance rates are set.
For instance, have the number of fire incidents increased over time? Has the housing stock become more vulnerable due to lack of maintenance? Have industrial properties become more vulnerable for reduction in maintenance?
What exactly is the relationship between risk of fire and staffing levels?
If such a report is spoken about in public, then it should be made available to the public for those who might wish to stay better informed.
Good morning Gus and welcome back!
“The report raises serious concerns about the major mills. The report says remote areas of the city are not well served with fire protection particularly for initial response. The report says Northwood Pulp the PG Pulpmill and the planer mill are all areas where there is weak response.”
Good thing the Pulp Mills train their own fire fighters.
“Currie says some of the halls donât even have smoke detectors…”
What? Our house has 4 of those, plus two carbon monoxide detectors and one combustibles detector in the furnace room.
Gus!! Nice to see you back. I wonder if these company firefighters are included in this study?
They would have a big effect in mitigating the risks.
Well said Gus – imagine a firehall not having smoke detectors! – Just like a tire shop with no tires!!!
I wonder what is more important to the powers that think they are, fire protection or a PAC?
Your tax dollars at work.
metalman.
Does Currie also work for McLean’s?
“some of the halls don’t even have smoke detectors”
You are telling me that hundreds of firefighters over decades, and no one noticed this ? Seriously ?
Ah gus. I knew he couldn’t stay away for long. ;-)
So the police get a new building so now it’s the fire department’s turn.
PGguy, unfortunately it was well known that firehall #1 needed replacement from a long time ago. It has been on the books for a decade. Running out of clean surfaces to attach the band aids too.
Ben. Something puzzles me about the following which you posted on your website on March 22.
“I have written “Gus” off site to tell him that he should confine his comments on stories to a few comments, at most, on a particular item. I am posting this for the benefit of everyone who uses this site, to inform you that if you abuse the commenting section by trying to make it your soap box by commenting as many times as you please, I will begin cutting the privilege.
Commenting on 250 is a privilege, not a God Given right, as some would like to believe.
Ben Meisner
Editor”
How come People#1 was allowed to make 12 posts on March 30?
blog/view/31546/1/spying+complaints+move+to+next+level?id=143&st=15
I guess Fire halls don’t need smoke detectors, they have fire fighters….
Welcome back Gus.
One big improvement would be for the fire department to stop chasing ambulances.
Cheers
Howdy Gus! Welcome back, we missed you!!
Howdy Gus! Welcome back, we missed you!!
Insurance Companies take out aprox $20 Million in revenue from Prince George on a yearly basis based on 34000 residences. It would be considerably more when you factor in schools, hospitals, universities, college, and of course retail and heavy industrial business.
Anytime you come in contact with an insurance co., or a risk management co., it is going to cost you money. That’s how these dude’s make their living.
Play everyone for a sucker, seems to be their (hidden) mission statement.
people has been advised as well, if you can’t keep your comments to a reasonable number. you will not be posting for long.
Ben Meisner
“Just like a tire shop with no tires!!!” .. not really, tire shops sell tires, fire halls do not sell smoke detectors that I know of.
Gus was gone? I wondered why it only took me a few minutes to read the comments lately instead of the usual hour or so.
I like Gus’ comments. IF there were to be limits, I would limit the amount of cutting and pasting Harper stories that seem to plague this site from time to time. Gus offers a pretty clear perspective and seems to be pretty level headed.
Palopu, any estimate as to what is paid out in insurance claims on a yearly basis?
I’m not trying to defend insurance companies but it seems a bit irresponsible to put forth a number like $20 Million without also mentioning the costs in claims and operating expenses incurred by the companies and the resulting profit/loss.
Many of this site hate Corporations and some might read your post and interpret it as $20 Million in Profit!!
Revenue is one thing, profit is another!
Maybe, we are getting too relaxed. Forgetting that the furnace does have open flame and it can ignite flammable products. I think a campaign from the firehall alerting people of possible dangers will be of great benefit too all.
The article said PG Pulpmill. Did they mean to say PG Sawmill as it’s only a 1km from Northwood. PGPP and Intercon, Chemtrade, Husky, FMC, etc… are nowhere near Northwood…
I like Gus too! He’s a pretty smart guy, maybe a bit too smart sometimes.
Palopu is a nice guy too.
You don’t have to always agree with them both but they are two very bright men.
I don’t know if they are that bright, but they both have both feet on the ground and have reasonable answers or thoughts.
So retired there is a firehall in my area but no ambulance station, if there is a medical emergency I guess you are saying let the firemen cool their heels even though they are closer.
Answer me this, how does your comment relate to this story. Are fires burning while firemen are chasing ambulances as you state?
Good post Gus. Welcome back.
Hart Guy. Don’t have a figure that shows what is paid out in claims for this area. However we can assume it is a lot less than the huge amount that they take in.
Over a 30 year period I would suggest that in this area they collected over a billion dollars in premiums. We all know that they did not pay out anything remotely close to that number.
One figure that is available is that the Insurance industry world wide makes three (3) Trillion dollars (yes trillion)every year in profits, so this gives you a pretty good indication.
Welcome back Gus!! I enjoy reading your comments, and your ability to get a Great Debate to happen. I enjoy it.
taxi
I agree with Palopu. This is about insurance companies justifying making more money. I switched to Square One Insurance at a third what the next cheapest insurance company charges. I don’t plan on ever having to use it.
Of course the insurance companies would like to come to town and ask the city to spend more money on fire related expenditures. Probably all those crack shakes burning down in the hood that drew their attention.
Welcome back Gus. Good list of questions to provoke some insights on the issue.
Ditto what Taxi said. And the others.
Sorry can’t be done. We have a PAC to build!
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