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REPORT TO:
Councillor Weylie and Members of the Development and
Technical Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING:
August 23, 2010
SUBMITTED BY:
Tim Beckett, Fire Chief
PREPARED BY:
Tim Beckett, Fire Chief
WARD(S) INVOLVED:
all
DATE OF REPORT:
August 11, 2010
REPORT NO.:
DTS 10-152
SUBJECT:
Fire Department Standards of Cover Document
RECOMMENDATION:
“That the 2010 Fire Department Standards of Cover Document be adopted.”
BACKGROUND:
As part of the Fire Department’s re-accreditation process through the Commission on Fire
Accreditation International (CFAI), the Standards of Cover document is mandatory to meet the
core competency requirements.
The Standards of Cover document (SOC) is a rational and systematic way of looking at the
basic service provided by our fire department. The purpose of the SOC is to provide a system
which will assist with:
a) Assessing Kitchener’s fire and non-fire risks
b) Defining baseline and benchmark emergency response performance standards
c) Planning future station locations and/or additional apparatus
d) Determining apparatus and staffing patterns
e) Evaluating workload and ideal unit utilization
f) Measuring service delivery performance
g) Supporting strategic planning and policy development relative to resource
procurement and allocation.
The key elements in the development of a SOC include:
a) A community risk assessment identifying the fire and non-fire risk common and /or
unique to the fire department
b) A determination of levels of service to be provided within the area served
REPORT
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c) An analysis of the department’s current response capabilities in terms of time and on
scene performance for personnel and equipment
d) A development of standards describing how the agency resources shall be allocated
and deployed to maximize emergency response effectiveness throughout the
community.
The department completed our first SOC document in 2004 and was adopted by Council in
November of 2004 as part of our initial accreditation with CFAI. Since the first document we
have reviewed our performance based on the baselines and benchmarks established and
adopted by Council. Station 7 was constructed to allow the Department to meet the responses
to the south west section of the City. Station 7 is reflected in the new SOC.
REPORT:
Staff has worked on the new draft SOC over the past year and a half utilizing the new 5th edition
guidelines from the CFAI. The new edition requires the response breakdown slightly different
from the previous edition we used; however the principles remain the same. In the older edition
all emergency responses were lumped into one category for a 90th percentile response
calculation. In the current edition the guidelines require a breakdown of fire, medical, rescue
and hazmat responses and are individually calculated and reported. Overall we remain
consistent with previous SOC figures for our 90th percentile response. Effectively we are able to
have the first in unit on scene in 7 minutes of less 90% of the time.
The Department has analysed the data collected and exhibited in the SOC document and the
following recommendations have been determined:
1. Service Level Baselines
It is recommended that the following service level baselines be approved as the minimum
that will be achieved by the Kitchener Fire Department.
a)
Fire Suppression
i. "For 90 per cent of all High Risk structure fires in metro & urban areas, the first-due
unit shall arrive within 8 minute total response time. The first due unit shall be
staffed with 4 fire fighters capable of establishing command, size-up, water supply
and able to provide 5000 L/m (1050 gpm) for firefighting, advancing the first line for
fire control, or starting rescue.”
On scene staffing must ensure a total complement of not less than 10 firefighters
(including supervisors) and a minimum of two vehicles – one of which is a triple
combination pumper – must be assembled on the fire ground within 10 minutes
total response time or for 90 per cent of reported fire emergencies.
On scene staffing must ensure a total complement of not less than 15 firefighters
(including supervisors) must be assembled on the fire ground within 12 minutes
total response time for 90 per cent of reported fire emergencies.
ii. "For 90 per cent of all Moderate Risk structure fires in metro & urban areas, the first-
due unit shall arrive within 8 minute total response time. The first due unit shall be
staffed with 4 fire fighters capable of establishing command, size-up, water supply
and able to provide 5000 L/m (1050 gpm) for firefighting, advancing the first line for
fire control, or starting rescue.”
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On scene staffing must ensure a total complement of not less than 10 firefighters
(including supervisors) and a minimum of two vehicles – one of which is a triple
combination pumper – must be assembled on the fire ground within 10 minutes
total response time for 90 per cent of reported fire emergencies.
iii. "For 90 per cent of all Low Risk structure fires in metro & urban areas, the first-due
unit shall arrive within 8 minute total response time. The first due unit shall be
staffed with 4 fire fighters capable of establishing command, size-up, water supply
and able to provide 5000 L/m (1050 gpm) for firefighting, advancing the first line for
fire control, or starting rescue.”
iv. "For 90 per cent of all High Risk structure fires in rural & open areas, the first-due
unit shall arrive within 8 minute total response time. The first due unit shall be
staffed with 4 fire fighters capable of establishing command, size-up, water supply
and able to provide 5000 L/m (1050 gpm) for firefighting, advancing the first line for
fire control, or starting rescue.”
On scene staffing must ensure a total complement of not less than 10 firefighters
(including supervisors) and a minimum of two vehicles – one of which is a triple
combination pumper – must be assembled on the fire ground within 10 minutes
total response time for 90 per cent of reported fire emergencies.
On scene staffing must ensure a total complement of not less than 15 firefighters
(including supervisors) must be assembled on the fire ground within 12 minutes
total response time for 90 per cent of reported fire emergencies.
v. "For 90 per cent of all Moderate Risk structure fires in rural & open areas, the first-
due unit shall arrive within 8 minute total response time. The first due unit shall be
staffed with 4 fire fighters capable of establishing command, size-up, water supply
and able to provide 5000 L/m (1050 gpm) for firefighting, advancing the first line for
fire control, or starting rescue.”
On scene staffing must ensure a total complement of not less than 10 firefighters
(including supervisors) and a minimum of two vehicles – one of which is a triple
combination pumper – must be assembled on the fire ground within 10 minutes
total response time for 90 per cent of reported fire emergencies.
vi. "For 90 per cent of all Low Risk structure fires in rural & open areas, the first-due unit
shall arrive within 8 minute total response time. The first due unit shall be staffed
with 4 fire fighters capable of establishing command, size-up, water supply and able
to provide 5000 L/m (1050 gpm) for firefighting, advancing the first line for fire
control, or starting rescue.”
b.
Emergency Medical Service
i. "For 90 per cent of all emergency medical incidents in metro & urban areas, the first-
due unit shall arrive within 7 minute total response time. The first due unit shall be
staffed with 4 fire fighters capable of providing basic life support with an AED, until
an EMS unit arrives on scene. If an EMS unit arrives on scene first, the fire crew will
assist if required.
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ii. "For 90 per cent of all emergency medical incidents in rural & open areas, the first-
due unit shall arrive within 7 minute total response time. The first due unit shall be
staffed with 4 fire fighters capable of providing basic life support with an AED, until
an EMS unit arrives on scene. If an EMS unit arrives on scene first, the fire crew will
assist if required.
c.
Hazardous Materials Response
i. "For 90 per cent of all High risk hazardous materials incidents in metro & urban
areas, the first-due unit shall arrive within 8 minute total response time. The first
due unit shall be staffed with 4 fire fighters capable of establishing command,
conduct size-up, evaluate and assess the scene for hazardous materials, control,
isolate and call for additional resources.
On scene staffing must ensure a total complement of not less than 10 firefighters
(including supervisors) and a minimum of two vehicles – one of which is a triple
combination pumper – must be assembled on the fire ground within 10 minutes
total response time or for 90 per cent of reported fire emergencies.
On scene staffing must ensure a total complement of not less than 15 firefighters
(including supervisors) must be assembled on the fire ground within 12 minutes
total response time for 90 per cent of reported fire emergencies.
ii. "For 90 per cent of all Moderate risk hazardous materials incidents in metro & urban
areas, the first-due unit shall arrive within 8 minute total response time. The first
due unit shall be staffed with 4 fire fighters capable of establishing command, size-
up, evaluate and assess the scene for hazardous materials, control, isolate and call
for additional resources.
On scene staffing must ensure a total complement of not less than 10 firefighters
(including supervisors) and a minimum of two vehicles – one of which is a triple
combination pumper – must be assembled on the fire ground within 10 minutes
total response time for 90 per cent of reported fire emergencies.
iii. "For 90 per cent of all Low Risk hazardous materials incidents in metro & urban
areas, the first-due unit shall arrive within 8 minute total response time. The first
due unit shall be staffed with 4 fire fighters capable of establishing command,
conduct size-up, evaluate and assess the scene for hazardous materials, control,
isolate and call for additional resources.
iv. "For 90 per cent of all High Risk Hazardous Materials incidents in rural & open areas,
the first-due unit shall arrive within 8 minute total response time. The first due unit
shall be staffed with 4 fire fighters capable of establishing command, conduct size-
up, evaluate and assess the scene for hazardous materials, control, isolate and call
for additional resources.
On scene staffing must ensure a total complement of not less than 10 firefighters
(including supervisors) and a minimum of two vehicles – one of which is a triple
combination pumper – must be assembled on the fire ground within 10 minutes
total response time for 90 per cent of reported fire emergencies.
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On scene staffing must ensure a total complement of not less than 15 firefighters
(including supervisors) must be assembled on the fire ground within 12 minutes
total response time for 90 per cent of reported fire emergencies.
v. "For 90 per cent of all Moderate Risk hazardous materials incidents in rural & open
areas, the first-due unit shall arrive within 8 minute total response time. The first
due unit shall be staffed with 4 fire fighters capable of establishing command,
conduct size-up, evaluate and assess the scene for hazardous materials, control,
isolate and call for additional resources.
On scene staffing must ensure a total complement of not less than 10 firefighters
(including supervisors) and a minimum of two vehicles – one of which is a triple
combination pumper – must be assembled on the fire ground within 10 minutes
total response time for 90 per cent of reported fire emergencies.
vi. "For 90 per cent of all Low Risk hazardous materials incidents in rural & open areas,
the first-due unit shall arrive within 8 minute total response time. The first due unit
shall be staffed with 4 fire fighters capable of establishing command, conduct size-
up, evaluate and assess the scene for hazardous materials, control, isolate and call
for additional resources.
d.
Technical Rescue
i. "For 90 per cent of all High Risk technical rescue incidents in metro & urban areas,
the first-due unit shall arrive within 8 minute total response time. The first due unit
shall be staffed with 4 fire fighters capable of establishing command, conduct size-
up, assess if additional resources are required, control the hazards and provide
patient care if required.
On scene staffing must ensure a total complement of not less than 10 firefighters
(including supervisors) and a minimum of two vehicles – one of which is a triple
combination pumper – must be assembled on the fire ground within 10 minutes
total response time or for 90 per cent of reported fire emergencies.
On scene staffing must ensure a total complement of not less than 15 firefighters
(including supervisors) must be assembled on the fire ground within 12 minutes
total response time for 90 per cent of reported fire emergencies.
ii. "For 90 per cent of all Moderate Risk technical rescue incidents in metro & urban
areas, the first-due unit shall arrive within 8 minute total response time. The first
due unit shall be staffed with 4 fire fighters capable of establishing command,
conduct size-up, assess if additional resources are required, control the hazards and
provide patient care if required.
On scene staffing must ensure a total complement of not less than 10 firefighters
(including supervisors) and a minimum of two vehicles – one of which is a triple
combination pumper – must be assembled on the fire ground within 10 minutes
total response time for 90 per cent of reported fire emergencies.
iii. "For 90 per cent of all Low Risk technical rescue incidents in metro & urban areas,
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the first-due unit shall arrive within 8 minute total response time. The first due unit
shall be staffed with 4 fire fighters capable of establishing command, conduct size-
up, assess if additional resources are required, control the hazards and provide
patient care if required.
iv. "For 90 per cent of all High Risk technical rescue incidents in rural & open areas, the
first-due unit shall arrive within 8 minute total response time. The first due unit shall
be staffed with 4 fire fighters capable of establishing command, conduct size-up,
assess if additional resources are required, control the hazards and provide patient
care if required.
On scene staffing must ensure a total complement of not less than 10 firefighters
(including supervisors) and a minimum of two vehicles – one of which is a triple
combination pumper – must be assembled on the fire ground within 10 minutes
total response time for 90 per cent of reported fire emergencies.
On scene staffing must ensure a total complement of not less than 15 firefighters
(including supervisors) must be assembled on the fire ground within 12 minutes
total response time for 90 per cent of reported fire emergencies.
v. "For 90 per cent of all Moderate Risk technical rescue incidents in rural & open
areas, the first-due unit shall arrive within 8 minute total response time. The first
due unit shall be staffed with 4 fire fighters capable of establishing command,
conduct size-up, assess if additional resources are required, control the hazards and
provide patient care if required.
On scene staffing must ensure a total complement of not less than 10 firefighters
(including supervisors) and a minimum of two vehicles – one of which is a triple
combination pumper – must be assembled on the fire ground within 10 minutes
total response time for 90 per cent of reported fire emergencies.
vi. "For 90 per cent of all Low Risk technical rescue incidents in rural & open areas, the
first-due unit shall arrive within 8 minute total response time. The first due unit shall
be staffed with 4 fire fighters capable of establishing command, conduct size-up,
assess if additional resources are required, control the hazards and provide patient
care if required.
2. Concurrent Call Loading
The department will continue to review the impacts that concurrent call loading is having on total
response times in each station area. The department will establish a long-term plan utilizing
trends and trigger mechanisms to reduce the impacts that concurrent call loading is having.
This will require further approval from Council if increase in staffing or apparatus is required.
3. Simultaneous Fire/EMS Dispatching
The department will continue to explore improvements for simultaneous dispatching of fire
apparatus to emergency medical calls. Kitchener Fire Department involvement on the Regional
Emergency Communications Centre working group will continue.
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4. Automatic Aid
The use of Automatic Aid should be explored with Kitchener’s neighbouring departments to
determine if there is a desire to participate and if yes to proceed with the establishment of
automatic aid agreements.
5. Direct Detect
Planned residential subdivisions within areas located between a four to five-minute drive time at
the 90th percentile (first unit response time) from fire station locations require the installation and
maintenance of a direct to fire alarm monitoring system and the notification of the requirement in
all agreements of purchase and sale for affected lots, to satisfy the requirements municipal plan.
Council has the authority to extend the application to areas beyond the 5 minute first response
time with the implementation of monitoring. (Council resolution – August 6, 1996)
As well the following are recommended:
a) Kitchener Fire Department will continue to develop the Direct Detect Alarm Monitoring
program with the intent of providing the service throughout the community and thereby
reducing the time required for the discovery of a fire, improving response times and
reducing loss of life, property and environmental damage.
b) Fire Administration will review response demands within each emergency response
zone and consider risks within each zone. Administration shall consider changes
occurring within each response zone, changes to service demands, changes to
standards, and operations that impact service level objectives. Direct Detect required
areas will be included in this review and reviews shall be conducted annually.
c) The Department will continue to review the Direct Detect Alarm Monitoring program and
remain current in technical advancements in order to deliver the best possible product
and service to our customers. (i.e. IP - Internet Protocol)
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The only recommendation once determined it is required is the concurrent call loading that may
require additional staffing and apparatus in identified stations. Prior to this being implemented a
recommendation would be presented to council and the costs would be subject to the budget
process.
The current cost to implement an addition apparatus in an existing station would be:
Operating
20 staff – salary and benefits - $2,100,000
Training – $7,000
Vehicle Maintenance – $20,000
Uniforms - $13,300
Total Operating – $2,140,300
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Capital Costs
20 sets of turnout equipment - $70,000
New pumper and equipment - $703,750
Station renovations (if required) - $25,000
Total Capital – 798,750
CONCLUSION:
The accreditation process allows the fire department to continuously review performance and
assists in establishing level of service recommendations to Council based on an establish set of
guidelines and utilizing industry best standards. The SOC is a detailed tool that provides a
rational and systematic way to evaluate the basic service delivery to determine current service
levels and recommendations for improvement to future service delivery needs.
It is recommended that Council adopt the 2010 Standards of Cover document.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY:
Jeff Willmer, Interim General Manager of DTS
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