Report Calls for Change in B.C.'s Fire Fighting and Rescue Services

By 250 News

B.C.’s Fire fighting services are in need of an overhaul. 

A report prepared by the Fire Services Liaison Group says the role of the fire fighter has changed over the years to encompass everything from fire fighting to medical aid and the handling of dangerous goods. The 350 independent  community-based fire departments in the province,   are faced with increasing demands for service,  at the same time, they are fac ing  financial and resource constraints.

The report says B.C.’s fire/rescue service has evolved "without any central leadership and direction, there is a lack of coordination, cooperation and consistency that is hindering its ability to meet the challenges of today and the future."

The report , which took three years to  produce, presents 14 recommendations which call for standardized training, recruitment training and retention for volunteer fire departments as well the establishment of a Fire Services Advisory Board  that would address issues and challenges facing fire and rescue services around the province.

Although the Ministry of the Solicitor General and Public Safety has  reviewed the report, it has made no commitment to follow through on 14 recommendations presented by the Fire Services Liaison Group.

Here are the 14 recommendations:

1: Establish a Fire Services Advisory Board:

That the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General immediately establish a new Fire Services Advisory

Board to provide policy leadership and coordination for B.C.’s fire/rescue service.

The board would be a single representative body to speak on behalf of B.C.’s fire/rescue service, to address issues and challenges, to act on common issues and to put forward initiatives to the provincial government.

B.C.’s Fire Services Act provides for the creation of a Fire Services Advisory Board.

2: Broaden the Mandate of the Office of the Fire Commissioner

That the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General immediately broaden the mandate of the Office of the Fire Commissioner to reflect the full range of services provided by B.C.’s fire/rescue service.

This recommendation seeks to update the mandate of the Office of the Fire Commissioner and provide oversight of all aspects of fire/rescue services provided to British Columbians.

3: Standardize Competencies and Training Standards

That the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General initiate immediate action, through the Office of the Fire Commissioner and Fire Services Advisory Board, to clarify and specify training standards for the fire/rescue

service, specifically interior firefighting.

Because there is no enforcement of standards for the B.C. fire/rescue service, there is no certainty that fire departments meet minimum competency and safety standards. This recommendation addresses a safety risk tothe public and firefighters, and a liability risk for departments and local governments.

 4: Support training, recruitment and retention for Volunteer Departments

That the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General immediately provide support for training, recruitment and retention for volunteer fire departments in small and rural communities, including:

• Ongoing support for training and training opportunities

• Development of recruitment/retention programs and incentives

This recommendation would address some key challenges for B.C.’s volunteer fire departments. Due to limitedresources, these departments are generally unable to meet recognized standards for firefighter training. Theyare also facing a volunteer firefighter recruitment and retention crisis; many volunteer departments are under-strength and finding it difficult to maintain minimum acceptable staffing levels.

5: Improve the Fire Investigation and Inspection System

That the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General initiate and fund a joint study with the Office of the Fire Commissioner, local governments and the Fire Services Advisory Board on improving the fire investigation and inspection system in British Columbia, with particular attention to the Local Assistant to the Fire Commissioner system.

Improvements are needed to B.C.’s fire inspection and fire investigation systems, both of which are critical fireprevention services.

 6: Identify and fill gaps in service coverage

That the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General immediately undertake the following initiatives in order to identify and fill service gaps in fire/rescue coverage in B.C.:

• Initiate a study to clarify services and identify gaps in coverage for fi re/rescue services in B.C., through the Office of the Fire Commissioner.

• Develop a joint strategy between the fire/rescue service and the Emergency Health and Services Commission to address gaps in medical first responder coverage.

• Make legislative changes that enable local governments to enact fire or building bylaws intended to improve public safety.

• Implement a province-wide public fire education strategy through the Office of the Fire Commissioner.

This recommendation seeks to address gaps in fire, rescue and emergency services in the province, and also provide clarity about what services are available in different areas of the province, and who is responsible for them.

7: Investigate Local and Regional Efficiencies

That local governments and fire departments in B.C. initiate reviews of their operations and services with thegoal of achieving efficiencies.

In order to cope with fiscal restraints and improve service delivery, the fire/rescue service in B.C. must seek regional efficiencies and revisit business models to review services and service levels.

8: Provide administrative and management support to Volunteer departments

That local governments, with support from the Office of the Fire Commissioner, ensure volunteer departments within their jurisdiction have the necessary administrative and management support.

Volunteer fire departments lack administration and management resources, limiting their ability to effectively and efficiently deliver fire/rescue services.

9: Establish local government responsibility for fire/rescue services

That the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General undertake the following initiatives, through the Office  of the Fire Commissioner, to improve accountability and oversight of the B.C. fire/rescue service:

• initiate a transition plan and make the necessary legislative changes to give local governments responsibility for all fire departments within their jurisdiction (except for industrial, federal and First Nation departments), and

• take steps to require local governments to file annual service plans for the fire departments within their jurisdiction.

Giving local governments responsibility for all fire departments will ensure the fire/rescue service has the appropriate oversight, accountability and more consistent protection levels. The filing of annual service plans will ensure transparency and accountability regarding decisions made about fire/rescue services.

10: Update compensation agreements for services to provincial agencies

That the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General initiate and fund a joint study with local governments, the Local Government Management Association and the Union of B.C. Municipalities to review and update:

• the tariffs paid to fire departments for services provided to provincial agencies, and

• the requirement for fire departments to receive pre-authorization from the Provincial Emergency Program to be compensated for calls outside their service areas.

This recommendation seeks to ensure fire departments are fully compensated for providing services to provincial agencies, and to reduce delays caused by the requirement to receive pre-authorization.

11: Improve training opportunities

That the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General initiate projects intended to improve access to firefighter training and to provide leadership training for the B.C. fire/rescue service. The Office of the Fire Commissioner should lead the projects.

This recommendation addresses a significant concern for B.C. fire departments and local governments by improving access to training and helping create a systematic process to develop leadership and management skills.

12: Enforce competency , training and operating standards

That the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General initiate the development of a strategy for improving firefighter competencies over an extended transition period, including a deadline for all volunteer firefighters in  B.C. to attain the Basic Fire Fighting Certificate, and mandatory fire department registration and certification.  This work should be conducted by the Office of the Fire Commissioner and Fire Services Advisory Board.  Voluntary registration and certification should also be offered to federal, private, First Nations and other fire

services providers.

This recommendation works towards achieving and maintaining a minimum mandatory training standard for all firefighters in B.C.

13: Research and develop best practices

That the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General direct the Office of the Fire Commissioner and Fire Services Advisory Board to research trends and issues, and to develop, publish and promote best practices guidelines for fire and rescue services, including information specific to volunteer departments.

This recommendation works towards the creation of a fact-base of trends, issues and best practices to assist localgovernments and the fire/rescue service, particularly small departments, in effective decision-making.

14: Improve interoperability in the Fire/Rescue Service

That the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General initiate and fund, through the Office of the Fire Commissioner and Fire Services Advisory Board, initiatives to promote greater interoperability within the fire/ rescue service.

This recommendation works towards improving interoperability, coordination and information-sharing in the fire/rescue service. Opportunities to be studied include recommended practices for small- and medium-sized departments, the sharing of fire service information, improved communications and information management, liability coverage for out-of-jurisdiction work, and joint purchasing.

Email | Print | Facebook | Twitter | Digg | Del.icio.us