The second meeting of the Community Fire Hall Advisory Select Committee (ASC) on March 14, 2018, was devoted in large part to an overview of fire department requirements in British Columbia. Creston Fire Chief Mike Moore spoke on the legislative and Fire Underwriters’ Survey requirements of the industry and provided information on reportable fires in Creston, public perception of fires, risk analysis of residential fires, and reasons a local authority may choose to have a fire service.
Following the hour-long presentation, the ASC offered the following observations:
• The Fire Chief’s presentation was a valuable overview with needed baseline information (i.e.: that according to WorkSafeBC regulations, no fewer than 13 firefighters are required at a residential structural fire).
• It was enlightening to discover the number of governing authorities involved in regulating the firefighting industry in the province. Questions regarding the role of WorkSafeBC (i.e., does this authority overrule the Fire Act? Who sets precedent?) highlit the issue of interconnection vs. overlap of regulatory roles.
• There is clearly a high level of liability and accountability required of the firefighting industry.
• Public perception of firefighting is an issue – that is, many residents are unaware of what happens when a fire occurs. “There is this idea that you phone 911 and the fire department shows up, but it’s a lot more complex than that.”
• The Fire Chief’s presentation was eye-opening and “a really good introduction.” The ASC is looking forward to receiving more such baseline information in future.
This ASC meeting was attended by all Committee members as well as five members of the public. Subsequent meetings are scheduled for select Wednesday evenings from March to June 2018.
The ASC was formed to make recommendations to Council on the future of Creston’s fire hall and associated fire protection services to meet the province’s legislative/regulatory requirements and industry standards. To read Mike Moore’s March 14 presentation materials, go to http://creston.ca/2377/Community-Fire-Hall-Advisory-Committee