Pontiac Regional County Municipality
Fire Safety Cover Plan
January 2011
Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC Partially written by ÉducExpert Passed on
1 Message from the Warden
On the 1st of March 2002, the Pontiac MRC received notice from the Ministry of Public Security on the obligation to develop and implement its fire safety cover plan on its territory.
Since then, many people have invested time and energy in order to achieve the adoption of our cover plan. The Pontiac MRC through its Council of Mayors has realized its desire to meet the responsibilities that were given by the provincial government by creating a position for a public security coordinator, the first person to hold this position being Mr. Jacques Piché.
Today, we record the beginning of a new era in the management of fire safety in the municipalities of the Pontiac MRC. In addition to the fire safety coordinator, the establishment of a permanent steering committee will provide all stakeholders an effective means of communication, consultation and decision making. This committee, composed of elected officials, director generals and fire chiefs will now have the important task of ensuring the implementation of the fire safety cover plan.
It is with a spirit of cooperation and a desire to succeed that I invite you all to rally and work collectively with all our partners to achieve the objectives of our cover plan as effectively as possible. Let us remember that our role is to work in the development of our community and to ensure their safety. This project is a great way to rally the forces of our 18 municipalities and develop our sense of belonging to the Pontiac.
In conclusion, allow me to offer my congratulations to all the stakeholders for the realisation of the cover plan and I assure you my full cooperation for the implementation of the subsequent phases. Cordially,
Michael McCrank Warden Pontiac MRC
2 Reference Documents
Orientations du ministre de la Sécurité publique en matière de sécurité incendie Government of Quebec, May 2001
Guide pour l’élaboration des schémas de couverture de risques Government of Quebec, October 2002
Schéma d’aménagement de la MRC de Pontiac Municipalité régionale de comté de Pontiac: un portrait, February 2001
Recensement des ressources et des risques de la MRC de Pontiac Draft document, fire safety cover plan, 2002
Fire-related background information for the Pontiac MRC Draft document, fire safety cover plan, 2002
Map data Draft document, fire safety cover plan, 2002
CONTRIBUTORS
Department of Public Safety (Ministère de la Sécurité publique):
. Mylène Portelance Fire Safety Advisor . Raymond Benoît Fire Safety Advisor
Pontiac MRC Council:
. Michael MCCrank Mayor of Litchfield and Prefect . Charlene Scharf-Lafleur Mayor of the Town Alleyn-et-Cawood . Brent Orr Mayor of Bristol . John Griffin Mayor of Bryson . William Stewart Mayor of Campbell’s Bay . Donald Gagnon Mayor of Chichester . John A. Lang Mayor of Clarendon . Raymond Durocher Mayor of Fort-Coulonge . Paul-Émile Maleau Mayor of Île-du-Grand-Calumet . Graham Hawley Mayor of Otter-Lake . Winston Sunstrum Mayor of Isle-aux-Allumettes . Leslie Bélair Mayor of Mansfield-et-Pontefract . Lynn Cameron Mayor of Portage-du-Fort . James Gibson Mayor of Rapides-des-Joachims . Albert Armstrong Mayor of Shawville . Dick Edwards Mayor of Sheenboro . Ross Vowles Mayor of Thorne . Gary Marchand Mayor of Waltham
3 Fire Safety Service:
. Alleyn-et-Cawood Fire Safety Service . Bristol Fire Safety Service . Bryson Fire Safety Service . Campbell’s Bay/ Litchfield Fire Safety Service . Chichester/ Sheenboro Fire Safety Service . Fort-Coulonge Fire Safety Service . Île-du-Grand-Calumet Fire Safety Service . Isle-aux-Allumettes Fire Safety Service . Otter Lake Fire Safety Service . Mansfield-et-Pontefract Fire Safety Service . Portage-du-Fort Fire Safety Service . Shawville/ Clarendon Fire Safety Service . Thorne Fire Safety Service . Waltham Fire Safety Service
Pontiac MRC
. Rémi Bertrand Executive Director . Jacques Piché Coordinator, Public Safety and Security . Natacha Guillemette Assistant to the Executive Director . Guy Tellier Computer Technician
4 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
Table of Contents Contributors ...... 3 1.1 THE REFORM ...... 9 1.2 IMPLICATIONS FOR MUNICIPAL AUTHORITIES ...... 10 1.3 PLAN CONTENT AND DEVELOPMENT STAGES ...... 12 1.4 PLAN CERTIFICATION AND ADOPTION ...... 13 CHAPTER 2 – DESCRIPTION OF THE TERRITORY ...... 14
2.1 ADMINISTRATIVE REGION ...... 14 Table #1: territorial land occupancy ...... 14 2.2 DESCRIPTION OF PONTIAC MRC ...... 15 2.2.1 TERRITORY ...... 15 Map #1 Geographic location of the Pontiac MRC ...... 15 2.2.2 COMPOSITION ...... 16 Map #2 Local municipalities in the Pontiac MRC ...... 16 Table #2: urban areas in the rcm ...... 18 2.2.3 CLIMATE ...... 18 2.2.4 POPULATON ...... 18 Table #3: Pontiac rcm population ...... 19 2.2.4.1 Cottages and Resorts ...... 20 Table #4: cottages and resorts...... 21 2.2.4.2 Level of education among the 25 to 64 year age group ...... 21 Table #5: level of education among the 25 to 64 year age group ...... 21 2.2.4.3 Average age ...... 22 Table #6: age of Pontiac rcm population ...... 22 2.2.4.4 Household size ...... 22 2.2.5 LAND USE ...... 22 2.2.5.1 Alleyn-et-Cawood ...... 23 2.2.5.2 Bristol ...... 23 2.2.5.3 Bryson ...... 23 2.2.5.4 Campbell’s Bay ...... 23 2.2.5.5 Chichester ...... 23 2.2.5.6 Clarendon ...... 23 2.2.5.7 Fort-Coulonge ...... 23 2.2.5.8 Île-du-Grand-Calumet ...... 23 2.2.5.9 Isle-aux-Allumettes ...... 24 2.2.5.10 Lac-Nilgaut Unorganized Territory ...... 24 2.2.5.11 Litchfield ...... 24 2.2.5.12 Mansfield-et-Pontefract ...... 24 2.2.5.13 Otter-Lake...... 24 2.2.5.14 Portage-du-Fort ...... 24 2.2.5.15 Rapides-des-Joachims ...... 25 2.2.5.16 Shawville ...... 25 2.2.5.17 Sheenboro...... 25 2.2.5.18 Thorne ...... 25 2.2.5.19 Waltham ...... 25 2.2.6 ECONOMY ...... 25 2.2.6.1 Labour force participation rate ...... 25 2.2.6.2 Unemployment rate ...... 26 2.2.6.3 General composition of workforce by sector ...... 26 2.2.6.4 Agriculture ...... 26 2.2.6.5 Forestry ...... 26 2.2.6.6 Recreation-tourism industry ...... 27 2.2.7 PUBLIC SERVICES AND INFRASTRUCTURE ...... 27 2.2.7.1 Federal and provincial services ...... 27 Table #7: government services ...... 29
5 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
2.2.7.2 Social, health and educational services ...... 29 Table #8: Social, Health and Educational Services ...... 31 Pontiac continuous training centre...... 31 2.2.7.3 Municipal services ...... 32 Table #9: services available in the rcm ...... 32 2.2.7.4 Socio-cultural facilities...... 33 Table #10: distribution of socio-cultural facilities ...... 33 2.2.7.5 Recreational equipment ...... 33 Table #11: distribution of recreational facilities ...... 33 2.2.8 LAND TRANSPORTATION ...... 34 2.2.8.1 Road system ...... 34 2.2.8.2 Bridges ...... 35 2.2.8.3 Rail services ...... 35 2.2.9 ENERGY ...... 36 2.2.9.1 Electrical generation and transportation...... 36 2.2.9.2 Natural gas ...... 37 CHAPTER 3 – FIRE SAFETY BACKGROUND INFORMATION ...... 38
3.1 REQUIREMENTS ...... 38 3.2 RESPONSE HISTORY ...... 38 Table 12: property losses (1996-2005) ...... 39 Table 13: Fire Rate between 1996 and 2005 ...... 40 3.3 PROPERTY LOSSES ASSOCIATED WITH BUILDING FIRES ...... 40 Table 14: Table of expenses and monetary losses caused by fire / resident ...... 41 3.4 BUILDING USAGE ...... 41 3.5 CAUSES AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF FIRES ...... 42 Table 15: Statistics on causes of fires ...... 42 3.6 AREA AFFECTED BY FIRES...... 42 3.7 LEGAL PROCEEDINGS ...... 43 CHAPTER 4 – RISK ANALYSIS...... 44
4.1 EXPLANATIONS (SOURCE: DEPARTMENTAL GUIDELINES) ...... 44 Table 16: fire risk classification proposed by the dps ...... 45 4.2 RISK CLASSIFICATION – PONTIAC MRC ...... 46 Table 17: Classification of buildings by risk ...... 46 Table 18: number and ratio of buildings inventoried per risk category by municipality ...... 48 Table 19: real estate wealth by risk category and municipality ...... 48 Table 20: buildings inventoried inside and outside urbanized zones...... 49 CHAPTER 5 – CURRENT FIRE SAFETY SITUATION ...... 51
5.1 CURRENT PROTECTION METHOD ...... 51 5.2 MUTUAL ASSISTANCE ...... 51 Table 21: mutual assistance agreements in force in the rcm ...... 52 5.3 OTHER FIELDS OF INTERVENTION ...... 52 Table 22: other fields of intervention ...... 53 5.4 INDUSTRIAL AND INSTITUTIONAL FIRE BRIGADES ...... 54 5.5 FIRE SAFETY SERVICE ORGANIZATION ...... 54 5.5.1 Human resources ...... 54 5.5.2 Number ...... 54 Table 23: personnel assigned to fire safety in 2010 ...... 55 5.5.2.1 Training ...... 55 Table 24: overview of part-time firefighter training in 2010 ...... 57 5.5.2.2 Availability ...... 57 Table 25: allocation of duties among first-responding firefighters ...... 58 Table 26: firefighter numbers and availability ...... 58 5.5.2.3 Training and occupational health and safety ...... 59 Table 27: continuous training (practices) ...... 60
6 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
5.5.3 Material resources ...... 61 5.5.3.1 Fire stations ...... 61 Table 28: fire stations ...... 62 Table 29: Distances in kilometres /minutes between territorial fire stations (data from mtq driving distance site) ...... 64 5.5.3.2 Response vehicles ...... 66 Table 31: number and type of emergency vehicle by FSS ...... 68 Table 32: fire vehicle characteristics ...... 69 6,819 L ...... 71
6,819 L ...... 71 Table 34: required vehicle modifications ...... 72 Table 35: Response vehicle replacement and acquisition ...... 72 5.5.3.3 Response/protection equipment and accessories ...... 73 Table 36: equipment ...... 74 Table 37: Equipment to be acquired ...... 75 5.5.4 Water availability ...... 75 5.5.4.1 Water supply systems ...... 76 Table 38: water supply systems and fire hydrants ...... 76 5.5.4.2 Water supply points ...... 77 Table 39: water supply points ...... 78 Table 40: Estimated number of water supply points to be developed by municipality in coming years ... 79 5.5.5 COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS AND RESOURCE DISPATCHING ...... 80 5.5.5.1 Alarm reception and transmission to firefighters ...... 80 Table 41: 9-1-1 emergency call service and radio communications ...... 82 5.5.5.2 Dispatching resources ...... 82 5.5.6 Prevention activities ...... 84 5.5.6.1 Incident assessment and analysis ...... 84 5.5.6.2 Municipal fire safety regulations ...... 85 Table 42: Regulations ...... 86 5.5.6.3 Smoke detector verification ...... 86 5.5.6.4 Regular inspection of highest risks ...... 87 5.5.6.5 Public awareness ...... 87 5.5.7 Financial information ...... 88 5.5.7.1 Fire expenses ...... 88 Table 43: financial resources...... 88 CHAPTER 6 – PREVENTION AND PROTECTION OBJECTIVES ...... 90
6.1 OBJECTIVE 1: PREVENTION ...... 91 6.1.1 Departmental objective ...... 91 6.1.2 Objective set by the Pontiac MRC ...... 92 Table 44: For information: approximate number of smoke detector check visits (low and moderate risk) and approximate number of inspection visits per year (high and very high risk) ...... 94 6.1.2.1 “General public” campaign ...... 95 6.1.2.2 Seniors campaign ...... 96 6.1.2.3 Youth campaign ...... 96 6.1.2.4 Farm campaign ...... 96 6.1.2.5 Other activities ...... 96 6.2 OBJECTIVES 2 AND 3: RESPONSE ...... 97 6.2.1 Departmental objectives ...... 97 Table 45: strike force in low-risk scenarios ...... 98 6.2.1.1 Response time ...... 99 6.2.1.2 Operational personnel...... 99 6.2.1.3 Required water flow ...... 100 6.2.1.4 Response equipment ...... 100 6.2.2 Pontiac MRC objectives ...... 102 6.2.2.1 Low and moderate risks (Objective 2) ...... 102
7 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
6.2.2.2 High and very high risks (Objective 3) ...... 103 6.2.3 Optimized protection coverage ...... 104 6.2.3.1 Municipality of Alleyn-et-Cawood ...... 104 6.2.3.2 Municipality of Bristol ...... 106 6.2.3.3 Municipality of Bryson ...... 108 6.2.3.4 Municipality of Campbell’s Bay ...... 110 6.2.3.5 Municipality of Chichester ...... 112 6.2.3.6 Municipality of Clarendon ...... 114 6.2.3.7 Municipality of Fort-Coulonge ...... 116 6.2.3.8 Municipality of Île-du-Grand-Calumet ...... 119 6.2.3.9 Municipality of Isle-aux-Allumettes ...... 121 6.2.3.10 Lac Nilgaut unorganized territory ...... 124 6.2.3.11 Municipality of Litchfield ...... 124 6.2.3.12 Municipality of Mansfield-et-Pontefract...... 126 6.2.3.13 Municipality of Otter-Lake...... 129 6.2.3.14 Municipality of Portage-du-Fort ...... 131 6.2.3.15 Municipality of Rapide-des-Joachims ...... 133 6.2.3.16 Municipality of Shawville ...... 135 6.2.3.17 Municipality of Sheenboro...... 137 6.2.3.18 Municipality of Thorne ...... 139 6.2.3.19 Municipality of Waltham ...... 141 6.3 OBJECTIVE 4: ADAPTED SELF-PROTECTION MEASURES ...... 143 6.3.1 Departmental objective ...... 143 6.3.2 Pontiac MRC objective ...... 144 6.4 OBJECTIVE 5: OTHER DISASTER RISKS ...... 145 6.4.1 Departmental objective ...... 145 6.4.2 Pontiac MRC objective ...... 145 6.5 OBJECTIVE 6: MAXIMIZED USE OF FIRE SAFETY RESOURCES ...... 145 6.5.1 Pontiac MRC objective ...... 146 6.6 OBJECTIVE 7: SUPRAMUNICIPAL LEVEL ...... 147 6.6.1 Departmental objective ...... 147 6.6.2 Pontiac MRC objective ...... 148 6.7 OBJECTIVE 8: ALIGNMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY RESOURCES AND ORGANIZATIONS .... 148 6.7.1 Departmental objective ...... 148 6.7.2 Pontiac MRC objective ...... 148 CHAPTER 7- FOLLOW-UP PLANNING...... 149
7.1 EVALUATION OF ACTIONS...... 150 CHAPTER 8 - CONSULTATIONS ...... 152
8.1 PUBLIC CONSULTATION REPORT ...... 153 9 - CONCLUSION ...... 155 IMPLEMENTATION PLANS ...... 153
8 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
CHAPTER 1- INTRODUCTION
The introduction discusses the new legal framework governing fire safety in Quebec, the nature and scope of relevant departmental policy, the new fire safety responsibilities assigned to regional and local municipal authorities, legislative provisions concerning the content, terms and conditions of the fire safety cover plan, its implementation schedule and certification procedures, coming into force and review procedures.
1.1 THE REFORM
In June 2000 the Government of Quebec enacted the Fire Safety Act (S.Q., 2000, c.20) that required regional municipal authorities or regional county municipalities (MRC) in Quebec to develop a fire safety cover plan.
In 2001, the Minister of Public Safety published the fire safety guidelines of the Minister of Public Safety to ensure that the guiding principles and broad objectives of the reform would be taken into account by regional municipal governments in developing their respective fire safety cover plans.
Under the reform, the municipalities of Quebec were asked to respond to the following two major considerations: to significantly limit the losses caused by fire and to improve the effectiveness of fire safety services. The Minister of Public Safety set therefore established the eight following objectives in his departmental policy that municipalities were expected to try to meet:
Objective 1: Taking the proven effectiveness of prevention measures in reducing fires into consideration, protect members of the public and heritage environments from fire by focusing priorities on preventive approaches and measures.
Objective 2:Taking existing regional resources into consideration, organize fire safety services, plan emergency service organization and delivery, and specify response methods to deploy a strike force that allows for effective intervention in low-risk cases within the urban areas identified in the development plan.
Objective 3: Taking existing resources into consideration, organize fire safety services, plan the organization and delivery of emergency services and provide specific response methods for deploying an optimum strike force in other classes of risk.
Objective 4: Compensate for possible fire response deficiencies with adapted self- protection methods.
9 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
Objective 5: In the case of other disaster risks likely to require the use of resources allocated to fire safety, plan emergency services organization and provide methods of intervention that allow deployment of an optimal strike force taking regionally-available resources into account.
Objective 6: Maximize the use of resources allocated to fire safety.
Objective 7: Encourage use of supra-municipal coordination among regional county municipalities (MRC) to organize or manage certain fire safety functions.
Objective 8: Plan fire safety with an eye to aligning resources and organizations with other public safety structures, whether in terms of public security, the organization of emergency services, pre-hospital emergency services or police services.
1.2 IMPLICATIONS FOR MUNICIPAL AUTHORITIES
The planning process involved in developing a fire safety cover plan forms part of the risk management method illustrated in the model shown on the following page.
Essentially, the effort requested of regional authorities consists of analyzing the risks present in their area in order to anticipate prevention measures capable of limiting the probability of fire (reduction in frequency) and planning response procedures to limit the damage caused by fire (impact reduction). These three (3) aspects – risk analysis, prevention and response – form the mainstays upon which other components of the model sometimes rely.
They are complementary and interdependent. The actions implemented by municipal or regional authorities must therefore target prevention, risk analysis and immediate response to ensure acceptable fire protection.
10 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
Impact reduction – Frequency reduction
INTERVENTION Response time Response personnel Response equipment Water supply
Difference (assumed risk)
PREVENTION Periodic risk inspection Bylaws Public education Incident analysis
RISK ANALYSIS Specific characteristics and mitigation measures Risk classification Self-protection mechanisms Detection and transmission mechanisms Commentaire [WU1]: Translation of wording within graphic.
Based on this fire safety management principle, each regional authority is asked first of all to develop an inventory of regionally-available human, financial and materiel fire safety resources and secondly, an inventory of the risks requiring coverage that exist in its area. Then, the regional authority should be able to identify the strengths and
11 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
weaknesses of fire safety services by comparing these two activities in tandem, and propose regional and local measures covering the three aspects of the management model (prevention, risk analysis and response) in order to equip residents of the area with an acceptable fire safety service.
1.3 PLAN CONTENT AND DEVELOPMENT STAGES
More specifically, section 10 of the Fire Safety Act determines the information to be included in the plan. It reads as follows: “The fire safety cover plan shall include (...) an inventory, evaluation and classification of the fire risks present in the territory concerned and specify their location.
“The fire safety cover plan shall also include an inventory and evaluation of existing or planned fire protection measures, the human, physical and financial resources allocated to fire safety by the local or regional authorities or by intermunicipal boards, and the infrastructures and water sources available for fire safety purposes. In addition, the fire safety cover plan shall include an analysis of the functional relations between those resources and an evaluation of the operational procedures in force.
“The fire safety cover plan shall determine, for each class of risk listed or each part of the territory defined, optimum fire protection objectives that can be achieved taking into account the measures and resources in place. The fire safety cover plan shall also specify the actions to be taken by the municipalities and, where applicable, the regional authority to achieve the determined objectives on incorporating their implementation plans.
“Lastly, the fire safety cover plan shall contain a procedure for the periodic assessment of the effectiveness of the measures taken and the degree to which the determined objectives have been attained.”
In accordance with section 12 of the Fire Safety Act, the Pontiac MRC like all other MRCs in Quebec received notice from the Minister of Public Safety on March 1, 2002 to complete a fire safety cover plan. The Pontiac MRC and the Minister entered into a memorandum of understanding in this regard.
Sections 13 to 19 of the Fire Safety Act specify the procedure and obligations of regional and local authorities in relation to developing the fire safety cover plan. The Pontiac MRC has therefore followed these steps: develop an inventory of fire safety resources, analyze existing risks in the area, classify these risks into four categories (low, moderate, high and very high), propose protection objectives taking account of existing or future resources and risks to cover, establish strategies for meeting these objectives, consult the participating municipalities, determine the actions to be implemented and include them in an implementation plan.
12 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
1.4 PLAN CERTIFICATION AND ADOPTION
Sections 18 to 31 of the Act refer to the procedure to follow in order to obtain certification of compliance and adoption of the plan. After a public consultation and after receiving due approval by the Pontiac MRC Council, the draft fire safety cover plan was submitted to the Minister of Public Safety.
Once certification of compliance is issued by the Minister and after the plan is adopted by the Pontiac MRC, the participating municipalities of Alleyn-et-Cawood, Bristol, Bryson, Campbell’s Bay, Chichester, Clarendon, Fort-Coulonge, Île-du-Grand-Calumet, Otter-Lake, Isle-aux-Allumettes, Lichfield, Mansfield-et-Pontefract, Portage-du-Fort, Rapide-des-Joachims, Shawville, Sheenboro, Thorne, Waltham and the Lac Nilgaut unorganized territory, as well as firefighters, receive the immunity from liability provided in section 47 of the Fire Safety Act.
Once in force, the plan can be amended to accommodate technological developments, territorial changes, increased risk or any other valid reason provided it complies with the departmental guidelines. Section 29 also provides that the cover plan be revised in the sixth year following the date of its coming into force or its last certificate of compliance.
13 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
CHAPTER 2 – DESCRIPTION OF THE TERRITORY
The fire safety cover plan refers to particular features of the Pontiac MRC, its population, the main economic activities that set it apart from other surrounding regional authorities, the main channels of communication and specific traits related to their usage and function, territorial organization and existing infrastructures, as well as how these components could affect or influence fire safety planning and also make certain sectors more vulnerable to fire.
2.1 ADMINISTRATIVE REGION
The Pontiac MRC forms part of the Outaouais Administrative Region which also includes the Collines-de-l’Outaouais, La Vallée-de-la-Gatineau, Papineau and City of Gatineau MRCs.
The table that follows provides clarifications concerning their population in 2009 and respective area. The total population of the Pontiac MRC is a little over 14,608 residents in an area of 13,848.3 km2 or 1.1 resident/km2. As shown in the table that follows, of all MRCs in the region and in the City of Gatineau, the Pontiac MRC is the most sparsely populated.
TABLE #1: TERRITORIAL LAND OCCUPANCY
2 POPULATION MRC POPULATION (2009) SURFACE KM 2 DENSITY/KM
PONTIAC MRC 14,608 13,848.3 1.1
PAPINEAU MRC 21,895 2,961.5 7.4
LES COLLINES-DE-L’OUTAOUAIS MRC 43,358 2,088.2 20.8
LA VALLÉE-DE-LA-GATINEAU MRC 20,740 13,599.4 1.5
CITY OF GATINEAU 247,139 334.1 739.7
14 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
2.2 DESCRIPTION OF PONTIAC MRC
2.2.1 TERRITORY
The territory covered by the Pontiac Regional County Municipality (MRC) is located in the western part of the Outaouais region. The MRCs adjoining it are: to the north, the Vallée- de-l'Or MRC; to the north-east, the Vallée-de-la-Gatineau MRC; to the south-east, the Collines-de-l'Outaouais MRC and to the west, the Témiscamingue MRC. The Ottawa River and the Province of Ontario form its southern border. The Pontiac MRC covers an 2 area of 13,848.26 km .
Map #1 Geographic location of the Pontiac MRC
15 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
Legend: Bridges MRC boundaries
La Vallée-de-la-Gatineau Les Collines-de–-l’Outaouais Pontiac Témiscamingue Vallée-de-l’Or
Pontiac MRC Geomantic Service Campbell’s Bay, Qc 602 Route 301 Nord P.O. Box 460 Source: MRC, MRN Date: 2009-12-17 [email protected] Commentaire [WU2]: Translation of wording in map’s legend.
2.2.2 COMPOSITION
Created in 1983, the Pontiac MRC includes the municipalities of Alleyn-et-Cawood, Bristol, Bryson, Campbell’s Bay, Chichester, Clarendon, Fort-Coulonge, Île-du-Grand-Calumet, Otter-Lake, Isle-aux-Allumettes, Litchfield, Mansfield-et-Pontefract, Portage-du-Fort, Rapide-des-Joachims, Shawville, Sheenboro, Thorne, Waltham and the Lac Nilgaut unorganized area.
Map #2 Local municipalities in the Pontiac MRC
16 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
Legend: Local municipal boundaries Urban area
Pontiac MRC Geomantic Service Campbell’s Bay, Qc 602 Route 301 Nord P.O. Box 460 Source: MRC, MRN Date: 2009-12-17 [email protected] Commentaire [WU3]: Translation of wording in map’s legend.
According to the Pontiac MRC development plan, all municipalities except the Lac Nilgaut unorganized territory have one to three urban areas. The table that follows provides a breakdown of urban areas in the territory.
17 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
TABLE #2: URBAN AREAS IN THE RCM Identification UA area % of UA area / area Municipalities Number of UA on Map KM2 of municipality # 2 Alleyn-et-Cawood 1 UA1 0.09 0.03 UA2 1.87 Bristol 2 0.89 UA3 0.13 Bryson 1 UA4 1.11 35.81 Campbell's Bay 1 UA5 1.69 54.87 UA6 0.13 Chichester 2 0.21 UA7 0.35 Clarendon 1 UA8 0.31 0.09 Fort-Coulonge 1 UA9 2.36 68.60 Île-du-Grand-Calumet 1 UA10 0.32 0.25 Lac Nilgaut 0 None 0 0 UA11 0.85 Isle-aux-Allumettes 3 UA12 0.10 1.12 UA13 1.18 Litchfield 1 UA14 0.75 0.42 UA15 0.57 Mansfield-et-Pontefract 2 0.60 UA16 1.96 Otter-Lake 1 UA17 1.51 0.30 Portage-du-Fort 1 UA18 0.73 17.22 Rapides-des-Joachims 1 UA19 0.61 0.25 Shawville 1 UA20 3.48 66.29 Sheenboro 1 UA21 0.06 0.01 Thorne 1 UA22 0.28 0.16 Waltham 1 UA23 0.66 0.15
The topography is characterized by the Ottawa River plain, its terraces and ravines. This plain ends toward the west where it meets the Canadian Shield, which gradually emerges along the Ottawa River. The Canadian Shield accounts for most of the territory; it is characterized by generally undulating land with nestled valleys. The presence and function of two geological regions, the Canadian Shield and the St. Lawrence Lowlands, combined with the diversity of plant cover, over 4,000 lakes and rivers and a varied ecological environment form a striking landscape.
2.2.3 CLIMATE
With prevailing winds from the west, the region has a continental temperate climate. This climate is usually characterized by cold winters and hot summers. The temperature can climb as high as 33°C, but usually remains between 15 and 22°C.
The rigors of the climate, especially in winter, complicate water supply operations because water sources freeze in winter.
2.2.4 POPULATON
18 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
The Pontiac MRC had a permanent population of 14,608 residents in 2009. Mansfield-et- Pontefract is the most densely populated municipality with 2,039 residents. The municipality of Sheenboro is the most sparsely populated with 173 residents. Of the 18 municipalities with a permanent population, one has over 2,000 residents, five (5) have 1,000 to 1,999 residents, four (4) have from 500 to 999 residents and eight (8) municipalities have fewer than 499 residents.
The population of the Pontiac MRC has declined steadily since the 1970s. In 2009, the population of 10 of the 18 municipalities had decreased when compared to 2001 figures.
TABLE #3: PONTIAC RCM POPULATION Population Population Population variation 2001 - Municipalities 2009 2001 2009 Alleyn-et-Cawood 230 179 28.5 % Bristol 1235 993 24.4 % Bryson 615 673 -8.6 % Campbell's Bay 720 766 -6.0 % Chichester 388 381 1.8 % Clarendon 1240 1340 -7.5 % Fort-Coulonge 1495 1661 -10.0 % Île-du-Grand-Calumet 797 732 8.9 % Lac Nilgaut Unorganized Territory 21 10 110.0 % Isle-aux-Allumettes 1420 1385 2.5 % Litchfield 478 509 -6.1 % Mansfield-et-Pontefract 2039 2077 -1.8 % Otter-Lake 967 877 10.3 % Portage-du-Fort 294 255 15.3 % Rapides-des-Joachims 174 197 -11.7 % Shawville 1558 1582 -1.5 % Sheenboro 173 115 50.4 % Thorne 406 408 -0.5 % Waltham 358 425 -15.8 % MRC 14,608 14,565 0.1 % Province of Quebec 7,782,561 7,237,479 7.5 % Source: Order-in-council 2009
The low population density and the size of the area affect the emergency response time involved in having firefighters travel from their place of residence to the fire station, and from the fire station to the scene of the fire.
Data on local financial and human resources, the size of the territory covered and the low population density will have a major impact on this fire safety plan. It is becoming increasingly difficult for fire safety services to recruit a sufficient number of people to ensure a minimal firefighter presence at the scene of a response operation, especially during the day on weekdays. Therefore, it is vital that the plan provide for deployment, at the first alarm, of resources from more than one fire station in order to ensure the availability of a minimal number of firefighters at all times.
19 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
According to the 2006 census data by Statistics Canada, 57% of the Pontiac MRC population is unilingual English and 41% unilingual French. This particular trait is an important factor to consider in public awareness campaigns, fire prevention programs and risk inspection visits. Therefore, documentation must be available in both official languages. Like the Pontiac population, eleven (11) of the fourteen (14) fire safety services (78%) serving the Pontiac MRC are comprised of unilingual English personnel.
Pontiac County, to which the MRC belongs, has been recognized as bilingual under section 29.1 of the Charter of the French Language, which means that English-speaking residents are entitled to receive services in English (s. 23).
2.2.4.1 Cottages and Resorts
According to the table that follows, the area includes 4,778 permanent residences and 4,819 cottages. The unorganized territory of Lac Nilgaut has the highest number, with 544 cottages. Most of the cottages, except for Bristol UA2, are located outside municipal urban areas.
The roads to these dwellings are primarily winding, narrow, steep and usually gravel- covered. Some roads are not drivable in winter because snow is not removed. These factors cause problems for fire safety services in responding to calls. Also, because the cottages are spread out across the territory, response times can vary a great deal.
Considering that the permanent population of the Pontiac MRC is 14,608 residents and that there are as many cottages as permanent homes, we can assume that the Pontiac MRC population doubles in summer months.
20 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
TABLE #4: COTTAGES AND RESORTS Cottages and resorts compared to permanent residences % of cottages Permanent Municipalities Cottages / resorts compared to all other residences housing Alleyn-et-Cawood 88 265 75.1 Bristol 284 587 67.4 Bryson 264 2 0.8 Campbell's Bay 287 6 2.0 Chichester 129 85 39.7 Clarendon 304 348 53.4 Fort-Coulonge 491 19 3.7 Île-du-Grand-Calumet 228 113 33.1 Lac Nilgaut 0 544 100.0 Isle-aux-Allumettes 426 608 58.8 Litchfield 106 215 67.0 Mansfield-et-Pontefract 642 423 39.7 Otter-Lake 388 635 62.1 Portage-du-Fort 110 21 16.0 Rapides-des-Joachims 70 62 47.0 Shawville 584 2 0.3 Sheenboro 43 263 85.9 Thorne 169 439 72.2 Waltham 165 182 52.4 Total 4778 4819 50.2 Source: Assessment service, 2002 data, risk classification software.
2.2.4.2 Level of education among the 25 to 64 year age group
In 2006, 32% of the population between 25 and 64 years of age had an elementary school education, 25 % a secondary level education, 17% a certificate or trade, 18 % a college education and 8% a university education.
TABLE #5: LEVEL OF EDUCATION AMONG THE 25 TO 64 YEAR AGE GROUP Level of education Total MRC/city Certificate number of Elementary Secondary College University or trade people Collines de 18% 22% 17% 19% 24% 25,185 l’Outaouais Gatineau 17% 22% 15% 20% 26% 139,295 Papineau 29% 29% 21% 15% 8% 12,325 Pontiac 32% 25% 17% 18% 8% 7,825 La Vallée de la 33% 22% 25% 13% 7% 11,730 Gatineau Source: 2006 Census, Statistics Canada
21 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
2.2.4.3 Average age
According to 2006 Statistics Canada data, the average age of the Pontiac MRC population is 41.4 years. The table that follows provides a breakdown by age of the population in each municipality of the MRC.
TABLE #6: AGE OF PONTIAC RCM POPULATION
Composition of population by age
Municipality
years
19 years 19 years 24 years 44 years 54 years 64 years 74 years 84
4years 14
– – – – – – –
– –
85 years & 85 + ageAverage 0 0 5 15 20 25 45 55 65 75 Alleyn-et-Cawood 10 25 45 40 15 20 5 5 10 25 44.4 Bristol 55 105 235 170 155 100 50 10 55 105 44.2 Bryson 35 90 190 115 70 45 25 5 35 90 37.9 Campbell's Bay 40 110 200 110 90 65 55 25 40 110 41.2 Chichester 15 60 100 70 40 40 20 0 15 60 41.2 Clarendon 80 200 330 205 170 110 75 5 80 200 40.5 Fort-Coulonge 100 250 475 230 180 115 80 15 100 250 37.6 Île-du-Grand-Calumet 35 115 175 115 80 85 35 5 35 115 41 Otter-Lake 50 130 235 130 120 90 30 5 50 130 41.4 Isle-aux-Allumettes 70 220 325 200 195 135 75 10 70 220 41.2 Litchfield 20 80 120 75 65 50 35 10 20 80 41.7 Mansfield-et-Pont. 120 300 630 315 250 125 65 30 120 300 38 Portage-du-Fort 15 45 60 25 35 30 15 5 15 45 40.4 Rapides-des-Joachims 10 25 70 20 25 20 5 0 10 25 39.1 Shawville 80 185 360 180 175 175 175 95 80 185 45.4 Sheenboro 5 25 25 15 15 10 10 0 5 25 41.8 Thorne 15 50 100 75 65 45 15 5 15 50 46.9 Waltham 15 60 100 75 45 35 30 0 15 60 42 Source: 2006 Census, Statistics Canada.
2.2.4.4 Household size
On average, households in the Pontiac MRC comprise 2.4 people compared to 2.3 people for Quebec. According to the 2006 Statistics Canada Census, the Pontiac MRC includes 5,965 households. Of this number, 26.6% include couples with children, 34.9% are couples without children, and 26.8% are single persons, thus confirming the pronounced trend toward an aging population.
2.2.5 LAND USE
To better understand specific land use features and the distribution of various human and economic activities, we will briefly review the different communities that lie within the territory.
22 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
2.2.5.1 Alleyn-et-Cawood
Primarily resort-oriented, it has service companies to serve its predominantly Anglophone population.
2.2.5.2 Bristol
Resort-oriented, it was renamed for its mine. It also has attractive industrial prospects in areas already zoned to accommodate heavy industry. It has service companies to serve its predominantly Anglophone population.
2.2.5.3 Bryson
Primarily residential in nature, it has a few service companies serving its population.
2.2.5.4 Campbell’s Bay
Located at the centre of Pontiac, most government services are based in this area. It is known as the Pontiac administrative region.
2.2.5.5 Chichester
The area is active in agriculture and resort activities, but has a very rich history and a predominantly Anglophone population.
2.2.5.6 Clarendon
With agriculture practically its only activity and a predominantly Anglophone population, it offers a bright future to new generations interested in specializing in this sector of activity.
2.2.5.7 Fort-Coulonge
Forestry being its main vocation, it boasts a respectable range of service companies, most of them family businesses, that serve the population. With a rich history, it is the largest francophone municipality in Pontiac.
2.2.5.8 Île-du-Grand-Calumet
The area is primarily active in the recreation and tourism field, with its very strong white water rapids popular among kayaking and white water enthusiasts. The centre of the
23 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC region is primarily engaged in agriculture. Historically very rich, it is also one of the most prized locations in Pontiac.
2.2.5.9 Isle-aux-Allumettes
The Isle-aux-Allumettes is the largest island in the Ottawa River. An agricultural area, it is nevertheless historically rich with a predominantly anglophone population.
2.2.5.10 Lac-Nilgaut Unorganized Territory
Its vast territory covers 9,670 km2 or 70% of the entire Pontiac MRC. These vast spaces are generally used for logging or recreational and tourism activities, such as fishing, hunting, canoeing, etc. Given the large area of the unorganized territory and low percentage of housing, primarily located in areas often inaccessible to fire safety services, no fire coverage is offered in this area.
2.2.5.11 Litchfield
A municipality geared to industrialization, it was once the site of Smufit Stone. Offering good territorial prospects, its access to major networks is an all-round advantage.
Commentaire [wr4]: Misspelled in the French source-text « Pontrefract ». 2.2.5.12 Mansfield-et-Pontefract Verification required.
With recreation-tourism and forestry its main vocation, especially given the presence of the Chutes Coulonge, Marchand Bridge, it offers a respectable range of service companies, most of them family businesses serving the local population. With a rich history, it is one of the prized areas of Pontiac.
2.2.5.13 Otter-Lake
Its waterways, navigated by hunting and fishing enthusiasts, make this resort-oriented municipality a favourite location.
2.2.5.14 Portage-du-Fort
Primarily geared to resort activities, it is known for its hydro-electric station and the bridge providing a transportation link between Quebec and Ontario. It has service companies serving its population. It also has a rich history.
24 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
2.2.5.15 Rapides-des-Joachims
With waterways popular among hunting and fishing enthusiasts, this resort-oriented municipality is a favored destination. It has service companies serving its primarily anglophone population.
2.2.5.16 Shawville
Centred on agriculture, it offers a respectable range of service companies, most of them family operated, serving a primarily anglophone population. It has often made headlines for conserving its English language gains.
2.2.5.17 Sheenboro
Predominantly agricultural with a very rich past, it was settled by Irish immigrants who came to Canada to escape the great famine of the 1830s; this accounts for its large English-speaking population.
2.2.5.18 Thorne
Centred on agriculture, a range of service companies are active in the area to serve its primarily English-speaking population.
2.2.5.19 Waltham
Its waterways make this resort-oriented municipality a favoured destination for hunting and fishing enthusiasts. Its population is primarily English-speaking. Its vacant space offers attractive development opportunities.
2.2.6 ECONOMY
2.2.6.1 Labour force participation rate
In 2006, the labour force participation rate for the Quebec population was 52% or 3,929,675 employed individuals, 6% higher than the rate for the Pontiac MRC population which stands at 46%, or 6,710 workers. Almost one-half (47.2%) of the total Pontiac MRC population is considered non-working, i.e. not in the labour force because they are too young (less than 15) or retired.
25 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
2.2.6.2 Unemployment rate
In 2006 the unemployment rate in the Pontiac MRC was 11.3% of the working population 15 years of age or more (755 individuals). This percentage is relatively higher than the percentage for Quebec, which has an unemployment rate of 7%.
2.2.6.3 General composition of workforce by sector
In 2006, there were 6,725 jobs in the territory, allocated as follows:
- Agriculture and other resource-based industries: 1,000 jobs - Manufacturing and construction: 865 jobs - Wholesale and retail: 800 jobs - Finance and real estate: 230 jobs - Healthcare and education: 915 jobs - Commercial services: 680 jobs - Other services: 2,235 jobs
2.2.6.4 Agriculture
With more than 1,000 jobs , agriculture is the major employer in the Pontiac MRC. The average income per farm is approximately $100,000 per year. Within the Pontiac MRC, 275 farms occupy 44,182 hectares of land, and account for 27% of farms in the greater Outaouais area. Of these operations, 88% report themselves as English-speaking.
The agriculture industry has diversified its products in recent years, with increases in sheep, fish, cider and market garden products. Beef production still holds a large share of the market, accounting for 50% of farms in the Outaouais. Dairy farms make up 37% of farms in the region.
2.2.6.5 Forestry
The Pontiac MRC territory has abundant natural resources. It includes large forest massifs with a forest production area of 78% or 1,084,311 hectares of the entire MRC territory.
Tenure of this production area is shared between public forest (85%), private forest (15%) and an intramunicipal public component (<1%).
In some MRC municipalities, many firefighters work in forestry, farming or industry. However, the time required to mobilize them varies. More specifically, firefighters working in the forestry sector are not available during daytime hours on weekdays between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Others in the farm sector help provide firefighting personnel during the day.
26 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
Also, many regional employers release workers engaged in part-time firefighting from their duties. However, some are still reluctant to allow their firefighters to leave.
As everywhere, the availability of firefighters especially during the day is a problem in the MRC territory. The execution of intermunicipal agreements providing for the automatic mobilization of resources is therefore inevitable. Measures will also have to be put in place to raise awareness among the public and local entrepreneurs about this phenomenon. The development of a recruitment program, a multi-station training program and firefighter availability control mechanisms would also help improve the availability of firefighters.
2.2.6.6 Recreation-tourism industry
The Pontiac MRC offers a variety of recreation-tourism attractions, including the Chutes Coulonge, its aerial park and its via ferrata, and a bicycle trail over 90 km long, the pervasive presence of rivers and lakes, many beaches, five golf courses, numerous outfitters and ZEC (controlled harvesting zones), 15 boat launches (including some with floating docks) and a rich and diversified built environment. Many recreational-tourism activities are possible in the MRC: swimming, canoeing, kayaking, rafting, forest excursions, cross-country skiing and snow shoeing, dog sledding, hunting and fishing, history and heritage interpretation. The Pontiac MRC is constantly developing in these areas given its tremendous potential.
Buildings used for the recreation-tourism industry are primarily located in areas inaccessible to fire safety services. Awareness-building activities, such as prevention measures, will have to reach out to the owners of these buildings.
In the unorganized territory, measures will be deployed by the MRC under this cover plan primarily to raise awareness by mailing out brochures with tax bills. However, groupings of important buildings in certain parts of the unorganized territory will be the focus of awareness and inspection visits related to smoke detector operation. The MRC will have to provide for a human resource who will travel, for example, to attend annual board of directors meetings of associations, private clubs or special events at outfitters or ZECs. Furthermore, cottages in municipal areas of the MRC will be covered by the periodic inspection and verification program related to smoke detector operation.
2.2.7 PUBLIC SERVICES AND INFRASTRUCTURE
The municipalities can rely on the proximity of the cities of Gatineau and Ottawa to ensure the provision of standard government services. Therefore, they receive the range of services and facilities generally available in a large city, within a relatively short distance from their population. Accordingly, very few federal or provincial services are based in the Pontiac MRC.
2.2.7.1 Federal and provincial services
27 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
Almost all Government of Canada services are centralized in the village of Campbell’s Bay: Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC). However, most villages have a post office.
Provincial services are also located almost exclusively in the municipalities of Shawville and Campbell’s Bay. The largest are: Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Employment and Social Solidarity, Services Quebec, the Quebec auto insurance corporation, and the Quebec provincial police, Transports Québec and legal aid. The table that follows provides details concerning government services.
28 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
TABLE #7: GOVERNMENT SERVICES
Municipality Federal Provincial
Municipality of Alleyn-et-Cawood Municipality of Bristol Municipality of Bryson Post office Post office Court house CFDC Legal aid Service Canada MP’s office Local employment centre (LEC) Local development centre (LDC) Municipality of Campbell’s Bay Société de l’Assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) Ministère des Transports (MTQ) Wildlife Quebec provincial police Municipality of Chichester Municipality of Clarendon Municipality of Fort-Coulonge Post office Municipality of Île-du-Grand- Post office Calumet Municipality of Otter-Lake Post office Municipality of Isle-aux- Post office Allumettes Municipality of Litchfield Liquor store Department of Natural Resources Municipality of Mansfield-et- Federal MP’s office and Wildlife (MRNF) Pontefract Post office Davidson Municipality of Portage-du-Fort Post office Municipality of Rapides-des- Joachims Post office Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Municipality of Shawville (APA) Municipality of Sheenboro Municipality of Thorne Post office Municipality of Waltham Post office Source: Pontiac MRC 2009 compilation
2.2.7.2 Social, health and educational services
Establishments active in the health and education fields are also worthy of mention.
In the health field: the health and social services centre combining the hospital, the local community service centre, the residential and long-term care facility, are all located in the municipalities of Bryson, Shawville, Fort-Coulonge, Isle-aux-Allumettes, Rapides-des- Joachims, and Mansfield-et-Pontefract.
29 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
In education, there are six francophone primary schools in the municipalities of Fort- Coulonge, Îles-du-Grand-Calumet, Otter-Lake, Campbell’s Bay, Isle-aux-Allumettes and one secondary school in Mansfield, all operating under the authority of the Hauts-Bois-de- l’Outaouais school board.
English-speaking communities are served by the Western Quebec school board. Two schools are based in Shawville and one in Campbell’s Bay.
Low-cost housing is also present in the municipalities of Fort-Coulonge, Mansfield-et- Pontefract, Otter-Lake, Waltham, Isle-aux-Allumettes, Rapides-des-Joachims and Campbell’s Bay. The table that follows provides details related to social, health and educational services.
30 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
TABLE #8: SOCIAL, HEALTH AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
Municipality Social-Health Educational
Alleyn-et-Cawood Bristol Local community service Bryson centre Low-cost housing L’Envolée School Pontiac remedial school St. John’s/John Paul II School Campbell’s Bay Serge Bélair Centre Youth centre Chichester Clarendon Low-cost housing Poupore School Family centre St-Pierre School Fort-Coulonge Pontiac Centre Pontiac vocational training centre Île-du-Grand-Calumet Ste-Anne School Low-cost housing Ste-Marie School Local community service Otter-Lake centre Low-cost housing Notre-Dame-du-Sacré-cœur School Local community service Dr. Wilbert Keon School Isle-aux-Allumettes centre Litchfield Local community service Sieur-de-Coulonge Secondary centre School Mansfield-et-Pontefract Low-cost housing Residential and long-term care facility Pavillon du Parc L’Entourelle Centre intervalle Pontiac Patro Youth centre Municipality of Portage-du- Fort Low-cost housing Municipality of Rapides- Local community service des-Joachims centre
Hospital Pontiac continuous training centre Municipality of Shawville Residential and long-term Dr. S.E. McDowell primary school care facility Pontiac secondary school
Municipality of Sheenboro Municipality of Thorne Municipality of Waltham Low-cost housing Source: Pontiac MRC 2009 compilation
31 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
2.2.7.3 Municipal services
Taxpayers are demanding more and more services from their municipalities. The most heavily populated municipalities have full or partial water supply systems, including the municipalities of Bryson, Campbell’s Bay, Isle-aux-Allumettes, Fort-Coulonge, Mansfield- et-Pontefract, Île-du-Grand-Calumet, Otter-Lake, Portage-du-Fort, Shawville and Clarendon. The other municipalities do not.
Of all the communities in the region, the municipalities of Fort-Coulonge, Shawville, Campbell’s Bay, Isle-aux-Allumettes, Mansfield-et-Pontefract are the only ones with sewer services covering all or part of their territory.
Again in terms of municipal services, we must mention in passing that the disposal of over 16,270.54 tonnes of waste products annually in the area is a major challenge given the impact of this activity on the regional environment. The table that follows shows some of the services available in the urbanized territory.
TABLE #9: SERVICES AVAILABLE IN THE RCM Main services offered by municipalities Low- Water Waste Fire Municipalities Sewer cost supply processing protection housing Alleyn-et-Cawood x x Bristol x x Bryson x x x Campbell's Bay x x x x x Chichester x x Clarendon x x x Fort-Coulonge x x x x x Île-du-Grand-Calumet x x x Otter-Lake x x x x Isle-aux-Allumettes x x x x x Litchfield x x Mansfield-et-Pontefract x x x x x Portage-du-Fort x x x Rapides-des-Joachims x x x Shawville x x x x Sheenboro x x Thorne x x Waltham x x
32 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
2.2.7.4 Socio-cultural facilities
In terms of socio-cultural facilities, each municipality has a library and a community hall.
The table that follows provides details concerning the socio-cultural facilities available.
TABLE #10: DISTRIBUTION OF SOCIO-CULTURAL FACILITIES
Municipalities Library Community hall
Alleyn-et-Cawood x Bristol x x Bryson x x Campbell's Bay x x Chichester Clarendon x Fort-Coulonge x x Île-du-Grand-Calumet x x Otter-Lake x Isle-aux-Allumettes x x Litchfield Mansfield-et-Pontefract x Portage-du-Fort Rapides-des-Joachims x Shawville x x Sheenboro x Thorne x Waltham Total 11 10
2.2.7.5 Recreational equipment
Municipal services are closely associated with recreational and cultural activities. As shown in the table that follows, for a population of some 14,608 (as outlined in Table 1), we count three arenas with artificial ice, six outdoor skating rinks and eleven baseball fields.
TABLE #11: DISTRIBUTION OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES
33 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
Municipality
Arena rink Skating Playground field Softball trail Ski path Bicycle trail Hiking Soccerfield Tenniscourt Gym ridingHorseback Golfcourse Townhall
Alleyn-et-Cawood x x x x Bristol x x x x x Bryson x x x x Campbell's Bay x x x x x x x Chichester Clarendon x Fort-Coulonge x x x x x x Île-du-Grand- Calumet x x x Otter-Lake x x x x Isle-aux- Allumettes x x x x x x x Litchfield x x x x Mansfield-et- Pontefract x x x x x x x x x x x Portage-du-Fort x x Rapides-des- Joachims x x Shawville x x x x x x x Sheenboro x x x Thorne x x Waltham x x x x Total 3 6 13 11 3 10 3 2 4 5 1 4 11
2.2.8 LAND TRANSPORTATION
2.2.8.1 Road system
The road system comprises 1,178 km of highway: highway 148 crossing the MRC from east to west (91.4 km), highway 301 (81.1 km) between Campbell’s Bay and Kazabazua (Vallée-de-la-Gatineau), highway 303 (50.1 km) between Portage-du-Fort and Otter-Lake and highway 366 linking Thorne to highway 301 between Otter-Lake and Campbell’s Bay. The remainder consists of municipal roads in variable condition, including a large portion of gravelled roads.
34 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
We should mention that the municipality of Rapide-des-Joachims has no land link to other municipalities in the MRC, except through Laurentian Hills in Ontario.
Although the roads are kept fairly clear of snow in winter, emergency vehicles may encounter difficulty in moving across part of the territory in a snow storm or following a road accident. This situation could affect response vehicle travel time and firefighter response time. It is therefore vital that the different organizations that can facilitate vehicle movement (Police, Public Works, Department of Transport) be contacted on this matter. The creation of a committee responsible for coordinating public safety resources is essential under these conditions.
2.2.8.2 Bridges
According to Map 2, the Pontiac MRC is connected to Ontario by three (3) interprovincial bridges:
- The bridge connecting Portage-du-Fort to the Whitewater Region Township in Ontario. - The bridge at Isle-aux-Allumettes (highway 148) to the municipality of Pembroke, Ontario. - The bridge linking Rapide-des-Joachims to Laurentian Hills in Ontario.
In addition, four other bridges connecting municipalities in the Pontiac MRC provide strategic access to a portion of the urbanized territory.
- The municipality of Île-du-Grand-Calumet is an island surrounded by the Ottawa River. Only one bridge connects this municipality to MRC territory. It is located on the eastern side of the island, and connects to the municipality of Bryson by Wilson road. - The Isle-aux-Allumettes municipality is also surrounded by the Ottawa River. Three (3) bridges are connected to this municipality: the first in the province of Ontario (mentioned in the previous paragraph), the second in the municipality of Waltham in the north-east part of the Isle-aux-Allumettes municipality on highway 148 and the last linking the municipality of Chichester to the northern portion of the Isle-aux-Allumettes municipality at Chapeau-Waltham Road. - The bridge joining the shores of the Coulonge River, on highway 148 in the Municipality of Mansfield-et-Pontefract, completely bisecting the area.
The bridges connecting the various municipalities in the Pontiac MRC have no load limits that might prevent fire trucks from using them.
2.2.8.3 Rail services
The Canadian National (CN) railway system passes through part of the RMC, over a distance of 36.2 km. It crosses the Ottawa River near Fitzroy Harbour in Ontario, and then enters the Bristol municipality in the east. It travels through the municipality of Clarendon,
35 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC the southern part of Litchfield, northern part of Portage-du-Fort and then returns toward the province of Ontario. This rail network is not currently used and is on the CN list of abandoned rail lines.
The rail network therefore has no impact on the MRC fire safety service road system.
2.2.9 ENERGY
2.2.9.1 Electrical generation and transportation
The Pontiac MRC has three (3) electrical power production stations in its territory: the Bryson station, Joey-Tanenbaum station and W.R. Beatty station.
The Bryson station located in the municipality of Bryson on the Ottawa River near the Grand-Calumet island municipality generates 61 MW of electrical power and belongs to Hydro Québec.
The Joey-Tanenbaum station in the municipality of Mansfield-et-Pontefract on the Coulonge River produces 17 MW and is independently owned.
The W.R. Beatty station in Waltham on the Noire River generates 10.6 MW and is independently owned.
Only one 120 KV power transmission line supplies the Pontiac MRC. Electricity is sent to the Lucerne station located in the Aylmer area of the City of Gatineau. The line crosses through the municipality of Pontiac in the Des Collines de l’Outaouais MRC and then passes through six (6) municipalities in the Pontiac MRC: Bristol, Clarendon, Shawville, Bryson, Grand-Calumet and Litchfield. This line supplies power to the Province of Ontario through an interconnection. The Cadieux transformer station is located in the municipality of Bryson.
36 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
2.2.9.2 Natural gas
The Pontiac MRC is not supplied with natural gas.
Fire safety planning guidelines
° Raise awareness among young adults and local employers about the importance of ensuring future personnel within their fire safety services;
° Ensure that services are offered in both official languages.
° Offer fire prevention services throughout the territory to minimize the impact of fires on the community;
° Promote self-protection measures or mechanisms while enlisting the active cooperation of risk generators whenever possible;
° Optimize the use of fire safety resources to ensure that personnel are available in the area at all times;
° Ensure the alignment of all public safety resources to provide a swifter and more concerted response by public emergency services.
37 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
CHAPTER 3 – FIRE SAFETY BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Background information on the regional fire safety situation refers in particular to the frequency of responses, the most frequent causes and circumstances involved in fires, their impact on the population and the most affected portions of the territory. Such background information makes it possible to guide fire safety planning and target it more accurately, i.e. areas to receive special attention during public awareness activities.
3.1 Requirements
According to section 43 of the Fire Safety Act, the fire chief or a qualified person designated by the fire chief for that purpose must, in respect of any fire under the service’s authority, determine the point of origin, probable causes and immediate circumstances, including the characteristics of the fire-damaged building or property and the sequence of events.
Furthermore, under section 34 of the Act, local municipalities have been required since January 2003 to submit a fire report (DSI-2003) to the Department of Public Safety (DPS). This activity also involves keeping a record of incidents that occur in the territory. Given that this report does not detail all fire safety service activities, such as false alarms, the municipalities would benefit by completing a report on these incidents for internal use in order to compile an accurate picture of fire safety activities in the territory, and use it to extract information required to mount prevention campaigns or to review and standardize municipal bylaws in the territory.
3.2 Response history
The fire incident database for 1996 to 2001, used to develop the history of fires in the territory, was created using fire safety service fire reports and insurance reports submitted to the Department of Public Safety. Furthermore, a few services submitted what data they had for 2002 and 2005, which supplemented the department’s data; however, the data accumulated remains fragmented. Some incidents may have occurred during this period that were not listed for various reasons, i.e. if no report was completed.
38 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
TABLE 12: PROPERTY LOSSES (1996-2005) Number of Average Annual loss Fire rate Property Municipality building Deaths loss per fire per per 1,000 losses ($) fires ($) resident ($) residents Alleyn-et-Cawood 5 77,856 15,571 33.85 2.17 Bristol 13 131,228 10,094 10.63 1.05 Bryson 10 235,075 23,508 38.22 1.63 Campbell's Bay 7 351,436 50,205 48.81 0.97 Chichester 0 0 0 0 0 Clarendon 19 2 3,879,427 204,180 312.86 1.53 Fort-Coulonge 33 264,667 8,020 17.70 2.21 Île-du-Grand- 15 23,297 1,553 2.92 1.88 Calumet Lac Nilgaut 0 0 0 0 0 Isle-aux- 5 1 129,257 25,851 9.10 0.35 Allumettes Litchfield 6 272,740 45,457 57.06 1.26 Mansfield-et- 57 1 3,250,403 57,025 159.41 2.80 Pontefract Otter-Lake 27 1,124,053 41,632 116.24 2.79 Portage-du-Fort 4 1 86,359 21,590 29.37 1.36 Rapides-des- 1 59,236 59,236 34.04 0.57 Joachims Shawville 12 655,172 54,598 42.05 0.77 Sheenboro 0 0 0 0 0 Thorne 4 56,796 14,199 13.99 0.99 Waltham 10 200,051 20,005 55.88 2.79 Total MRC 228 5 10,797,053 47,355 73.91 1.56
Fire protection is currently provided by 14 fire safety services. The Municipality of Rapide-des-Joachims is covered by the Laurentian Hills municipality in the Province of Ontario, and the Lac Nilgaut unorganized territory is not covered by any fire safety service. Each fire safety service has a main fire station and the Bristol and Isle-aux- Allumettes services also have a satellite station.
The Pontiac MRC FSS respond to an average of 23 calls a year involving building fires, or 228 between 1996 and 2005. Average annual losses amount to $107,970 for a total of $10.8 million.
Five (5) deaths were reported in the same period following fires in residential dwellings. None of the municipalities concerned by these deaths have bylaws governing smoke detectors.
We also see that most calls are made in the day, among all types of calls received. After analyzing the reports, we observe that 38.2% of calls are made in the day, 28.2% in the evening, 17.2% at night and 15.8% are not specified.
39 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
TABLE 13: FIRE RATE BETWEEN 1996 AND 2005
50% 38.2%
40% 28.2%
30% 17.2% 15.8% 20%
10%
0% Day Evening Night Undetermined
The above table shows that most calls occur in the daytime when firefighters are at work and often outside their municipality.
3.3 Property losses associated with building fires
Each fire involves approximately $47,355 in property losses. Between 1996 and 2005, two (2) major fires involving two (2) wood industries caused over $5 million in damages or 47% of total property losses in the past ten years in the RMC territory.
40 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
TABLE 14: TABLE OF EXPENSES AND MONETARY LOSSES CAUSED BY FIRE / RESIDENT
EXPENSES ($) CAUSED EXPENSES ($) CAUSED MUNICIPALITY BY FIRE / RESIDENT BY FIRE / RESIDENT (2008) (1996-2005)
Alleyn-et-Cawood 147.83 33.85
Bristol 29.84 10.63
Bryson 56.91 38.22
Campbell's Bay 45.32 48.81
Chichester 124.73 0
Clarendon 85.64 312.86
Fort-Coulonge 33.97 17.70
Île-du-Grand-Calumet 64.74 2.92
Lac Nilgaut 0 0
Isle-aux-Allumettes 84.83 9.10
Litchfield 84.80 57.06
Mansfield-et-Pontefract 25.51 159.41
Otter-Lake 68.41 116.24
Portage-du-Fort 74.15 29.37
Rapides-des-Joachims 46.51 34.04
Shawville 46.85 42.05
Sheenboro 167.91 0
Thorne 295.57 13.99
Waltham 139.66 55.88
Total MRC 63.52 73.91
3.4 BUILDING USAGE
According to the fire reports submitted by municipal fire safety services to the Department of Public Safety and the project officer, the usages of fire-damaged buildings in the MRC show that residential fires comprised 83.6% of all fires, commercial fires 4.3%, industries 4.8%, service buildings 3.8%, the farm sector 2.9% and other buildings 0.6%.
41 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
3.5 Causes and circumstances of fires
None of the Pontiac MRC FSS have firefighters with specialized training in investigating the causes and circumstances of fires. Until firefighters with such training are available, the MRC has asked for assistance in performing this task from neighbouring MRCs.
Based on an analysis of the causes of fires, we note that 46.9% are the result of neglect or carelessness, 17.1% electrical or mechanical failures, 2.2% construction or design defects, and only 3.9% are the product of natural causes. Suspicious fires requiring investigation account for 6.1% of all fires identified in the MRC, and approximately 23.7% resulted from undetermined causes. A fire prevention awareness program has apparently lowered the number of fires caused by neglect or carelessness. Furthermore, investigations to determine the cause of fires should be performed systematically. Awareness activities among FSS chiefs have been conducted to inform them of their responsibility under section 43 of the Fire Safety Act.
TABLE 15: STATISTICS ON CAUSES OF FIRES Causes of Fire
Neglect and Undetermined, carelessness, 23.7% 46.9% Under investigation, 6.1%
Natural, 3.9%
Electrical / Construction mechanical defects, 2.2% failure17.1%
3.6 Area affected by fires
An analysis of the last few tables shows that 39% of all fires in the Pontiac MRC occurred in municipalities surrounding Fort-Coulonge and Mansfield-et-Pontefract and that these fires accounted for 33% of total property losses in the MRC.
42 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
3.7 Legal proceedings
Legal action was taken against only one of the 18 municipalities in relation to its fire safety services over the past ten (10) years. It was launched in 2008 for a claim of $700,000.
A settlement was reached and the case was closed on August 16, 2010 with no loss to the municipality.
Fire safety planning guidelines
° Establish regulations requiring that all homes be equipped with a functioning smoke detector;
° Ensure that a minimal number of firefighters are present in the territory;
° Plan for automatic mutual assistance during daytime hours;
° Ensure that personnel include resources trained and qualified to determine the causes and circumstances of fires.
43 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
CHAPTER 4 – RISK ANALYSIS
In accordance with section 10 of the Fire Safety Act, the cover plan includes an inventory, evaluation and classification of the fire risks present in the territory. It also specifies their location to determine the vulnerability of different sectors and identify those at risk of a fire conflagration. This activity will ensure better identification of fire prevention and self- protection measures to include in fire safety planning. It will also allow for adjustments in resource deployment procedures as necessary.
4.1 Explanations (source: departmental guidelines)
Fire risk coverage, and therefore, organization of the different aspects of fire safety, cannot reasonably be planned for a given territory without prior knowledge of the nature and scope of the risks present. For that reason, the Fire Safety Act specifies that the main components of the fire safety cover plan are an inventory, assessment and classification of existing fire risks in the territory.
More than any other consideration, a risk analysis assists in making objective decisions about the acceptability of such decisions and action to take to lower the frequency or impact of certain types of fire.
More specifically, a risk analysis concerns considerations related to: ° risk classification; ° the specific features of certain risks and mitigation measures; ° self-protection measures and mechanisms; ° swift fire detection measures and mechanisms, and transmission of alarms to the fire safety service.
However, as soon as we take a first step in risk management we encounter the problem of defining what we mean by “risk.” A definition suited to the specific needs of fire safety is all the more necessary when the concept of “risk” is used for a variety of purposes outside this specific field, in areas like health, public security, environmental protection, finance or insurance.
The most common definition of risk is “a more or less predictable hazard.” Needless to say, such a broad definition is not suited to planning prevention measures or emergency response procedures, especially in the fire domain, where the nature of the danger is known in advance and where the risk can at least be associated with specific factors. Also, most disciplines that must clarify the concept of risk for strategic planning or operational purposes generally settle on a definition that incorporates the probability that a given incident will occur and, the severity of its potential harmful effects on health, property or the environment. With this in mind, the risk of fire comprises the probability that a fire will occur in a given building and the consequences likely to ensue.
44 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
However, probabilities and consequences are still only abstract aspects of the risk, aspects that require clarification in terms of tangible phenomena, are ideally measureable, specific to the phenomenon and suited to our purposes, i.e. fire. The Act provides a proposed fire risk classication issued by the Minister of Public Safety (see table on next page). Such a classification would have no scientific value or true utility for municipal organizations unless it relates to tangible phenomena.
In conformance with practice already widespread in the field of fire safety, building usage should be considered as a base parameter. The major organizations in this field in Quebec already use risk classification methods based on the use of each building likely to succumb to fire, a parameter that usually includes a few criteria concerning the potential number of occupants, number of floors, the area of the building and the presence of hazardous substances.
Although these methods may generate a variable number of risk categories, they offer the advantage (in terms of responding) of estimating the scope of resources (personnel, water flow, firefighting equipment) needed to respond to a fire.
Generally, these classifications show that transportation and public utility infrastructures, as well as detached or semi-detached buildings of two storeys or less used for residential occupancy constitute low risks and require the deployment of a minimal strike force in the event of fire. In the intermediate category and subject to “moderate” risks are all residential buildings no higher than six storeys, and commercial, industrial or institutional buildings no higher than three stories and covering an area not exceeding 600 square metres.
Usually requiring the extensive deployment of human and material resources in the event of fire to evacuate occupants or prevent conflagration dangers, the high risk category includes rooming houses, hotels, churches, hospitals, schools and all buildings of seven storeys or more.
Also clearly considered a high risk are industrial establishments and warehouses containing hazardous substances.
TABLE 16: FIRE RISK CLASSIFICATION PROPOSED BY THE DPS CLASSIFICATION DESCRIPTION TYPE OF BUILDING Hangars, garages Very small buildings spaced far apart Detached single-family homes including 1 or 2 LOW RISK Residential buildings, 1 or 2 apartments, cottages, mobile homes, rooming apartments, 1 or 2 floors, detached houses with fewer than 5 residents Attached single-family homes of 2 or 3 storeys Building no more than 3 storeys high, Buildings with 8 apartments or less, rooming MODERATE RISK with a ground surface of no more than houses (5 to 9 rooms) 600 m2 Industrial establishments in Group F, Division 3* (shops, warehouses, showrooms, etc.) Buildings with a ground surface over Commercial establishments 600 m2 Business establishments HIGH RISK Buildings with 4 to 6 storeys Buildings with 9 or more apartments, rooming Locations where occupants are usually houses (10 rooms or more), motels capable of evacuating Industrial establishments in Group F, Division 2
45 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
Locations with no significant amount of (workshops, repair garage, printers, service hazardous substances stations, etc.), farm buildings Buildings of 6 stories or more with a Business institutions, adjoining buildings in old high risk of conflagration neighbourhoods Premises where occupants cannot Hospitals, reception centres, supervised homes, easily evacuate unassisted detention facilities Premises involving difficult evacuation Shopping centres with more than 45 stores, VERY HIGH RISK given the high number of occupants hotels, schools, day care centres, churches Premises where hazardous Industrial establishments in Group F, Division 1 substances are likely present (hazardous substance warehouses, paint factory, Premises where the impact of a fire is chemical products factory, milling plants, etc.) likely to affect community operations Waste water treatment plants, harbour facilities * According to the major occupancy classification of the National Building Code (NBC-1995).
An analysis of fires in Quebec in the past decade confirms a relatively close tie between the parameters used – and the classes of risk they determine – and the two fundamental aspects of the risk of fire, i.e. probability and consequences.
For example, while bungalows are the site of almost 68% of fires because of their widespread presence in Quebec, the probability that a fire will occur in such a building remains relatively low, far below the probability of a similar disaster in an industrial-type building, for example.
During the period from 1992 to 1999, the observable fire rate in the residential sector was 3.08 per 1,000 buildings, compared to 15.78 in the commercial sector and 41.68 in the industrial sector. In other words, commercial and industrial buildings are respectively five times and three times more at risk of a fire than houses.
4.2 RISK CLASSIFICATION – Pontiac MRC
To begin with, this activity consisted of developing the list of risks by usage of the buildings included in the 2002 assessment roll. The results of this initial activity will be verified during implementation by the FSS chiefs in order to confirm the assigned risk category. The data extracted from the classification activity have been compiled in the table that follows.
TABLE 17: CLASSIFICATION OF BUILDINGS BY RISK
Risk level Number of units % Real estate wealth % of real estate wealth
Low 10,234 88.2 % $494,402,200 66.8 %
Moderate 404 3.5 % $54,547,600 7.4 %
High 849 7.3 % $96,927,500 13.1 %
Very high 122 1.0% $94,436,800 12.7 %
Total: 11,609 100 % $740,314,100 100 %
46 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
As shown in the tables that follow, the most common occupancy in the building stock is residential (88.2%), and belongs in the low risk category.
47 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
TABLE 18: NUMBER AND RATIO OF BUILDINGS INVENTORIED PER RISK CATEGORY BY MUNICIPALITY Risk category Municipality Low risk Moderate risk High risk Very high risk Total Number Ratio Number Ratio Number Ratio Number Ratio Alleyn-et-Cawood 369 97 % 5 1 % 3 1 % 2 1 % 379 Bristol 983 85 % 20 2 % 143 12 % 9 1 % 1,155 Bryson 257 87 % 29 10 % 4 1 % 5 2 % 295 Campbell’s Bay 278 80 % 48 14 % 7 2 % 16 4 % 349 Chichester 224 84 % 4 2 % 36 13 % 2 1 % 266 Clarendon 673 72 % 10 1 % 242 26 % 15 1 % 940 Fort-Coulonge 488 89 % 49 9 % 6 1 % 6 1 % 549 Île-du-Grand-Calumet 345 80 % 13 3 % 66 16 % 6 1 % 430 Lac Nilgaut 942 96 % 0 0 38 4 % 0 0 980 Isle-aux-Allumettes 1,066 89 % 26 2 % 93 8 % 12 1 % 1,197 Litchfield 339 78 % 11 3 % 81 18 % 3 1 % 434 Mansfield-et-Pontefract 1,077 92 % 47 4 % 43 3 % 6 1 % 1,173 Otter-Lake 1,051 97 % 21 2 % 13 1 % 4 1 % 1,089 Portage-du-Fort 139 87 % 14 9 % 1 1 % 5 3 % 159 Rapide-des-Joachims 138 93 % 7 5 % 1 1 % 3 2 % 149 Shawville 567 83 % 81 12 % 19 3 % 17 2 % 684 Sheenboro 318 92 % 4 1 % 19 6 % 3 1 % 344 Thorne 619 94 % 8 1 % 26 4 % 5 1 % 658 Waltham 361 95 % 7 2 % 8 2 % 3 1 % 379 MRC 10,234 88.2 % 404 3.5 % 849 7.3 % 122 1 % 11,609
TABLE 19: REAL ESTATE WEALTH BY RISK CATEGORY AND MUNICIPALITY Risk categories Municipality Moderate risk Very high risk Total ($) Low risk ($) High risk ($) ($) ($) Alleyn-et-Cawood 14,249,200 442,500 217,000 88,700 14,997,400 Bristol 51,746,000 3,200,600 12,591,500 917,900 68,456,000 Bryson 15,519,700 3,434,000 471,400 970,900 20,396,000, Campbell’s Bay 15,115,800 7,303,700 1,032,300 6,381,900 29,833,700 Chichester 9,803,100 345,400 2,954,900 170,000 13,273,400 Clarendon 34,703,000 1,345,900 29,991,000 523,100 66,563,000 Fort-Coulonge 27,058,100 5,756,200 1,234,200 4,834,900 38,883,400 Île-du-Grand-Calumet 17,546,700 1,642,400 7,329,200 843,500 27,361,800 Lac Nilgaut 7,494,000 0 129,600 0 7,623,600 Isle-aux-Allumettes 67,174,500 2,697,800 9,157,900 5,993,500 85,023,700 Litchfield 15,117,000 1,258,300 9,670,600 37,249,800 63,295,700 Mansfield-et-Pontefract 58,704,200 9,339,000 8,848,100 7,583,800 84,475,100 Otter-Lake 46,772,800 2,130,200 1,155,400 1,303,600 51,362,000 Portage-du-Fort 4,570,000 1,174,300 615,600 616,200 6,976,100 Rapide-des-Joachims 6,840,600 476,300 2,054,100 300,200 9,671,200 Shawville 40,930,300 12,095,800 4,344,100 25,309,900 82,680,100 Sheenboro 14,657,300 243,300 2,051,300 290,700 17,242,600 Thorne 33,072,400 1,082,800 1,852,600 703,800 36,711,600 Waltham 13,327,500 579,100 1,226,700 354,400 15,487,700 MRC 494,402,200 54,547,600 96,927,500 94,436,800 740,314,100
48 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
The table that follows shows the percentage of buildings inventoried inside and outside urbanized areas and their property values. Accordingly, 33% of buildings and 40% of MRC property wealth exists within urbanized areas of the municipalities.
TABLE 20: BUILDINGS INVENTORIED INSIDE AND OUTSIDE URBANIZED ZONES Inside urban areas Outside urban areas Municipality Ratio Ratio Ratio Ratio Number Value ($) Number Value ($) (%) (%) (%) (%) Alleyn-et-Cawood 16 4 673,900 4 363 96 14,323,500 96 Bristol 548 47 32,112,400 47 607 53 36,343,600 53 Bryson 290 98 19,854,800 97 5 2 541,200 3 Campbell’s Bay 345 99 29,374,800 98 4 1 458,900 2 Chichester 47 18 2,884,200 22 219 82 10,389,200 78 Clarendon 24 2 2,728,500 4 931 98 63,834,500 96 Fort-Coulonge 545 99 38,390,400 99 4 1 493,000 1 Île-du-Grand- 100 23 7,094,100 26 330 77 20,267,700 74 Calumet Lac Nilgaut 0 0 0 0 980 100 7,623,600 100 Isle-aux-Allumettes 238 20 18,909,600 22 959 80 66,114,100 78 Litchfield 29 7 2,324,800 4 405 93 60,970,900 96 Mansfield-et- 355 30 37,911,200 45 818 70 46,563,900 55 Pontefract Otter-Lake 251 23 14,179,800 28 838 77 37,182,200 72 Portage-du-Fort 135 85 5,225,600 75 24 15 1,750,500 25 Rapide-des-Joachims 91 61 3,418,500 35 58 39 6,252,700 65 Shawville 675 99 81,557,100 99 9 1 1,123,000 1 Sheenboro 8 2 355,600 2 336 98 16,887,000 98 Thorne 47 7 2,463,600 7 611 93 34,248,000 93 Waltham 121 32 5,382,800 35 258 68 10,104,900 65 MRC 3,861 40 304,841,700 39 7,748 60 435,472,400 61
After analyzing the above tables, we note:
The territory in the municipalities of Bristol, Isle-aux-Allumettes and Mansfield-et- Pontefract is at highest risk; These same municipalities have the highest real estate wealth; The municipalities of Shawville, Campbell’s Bay and Clarendon have the highest number rated as very high risks;
Several important buildings form an essential network at the economic, social and cultural levels. These include, in particular:
° 9 primary schools and 2 secondary schools; ° 64 churches; ° 1 hospital, 39 short-term care beds and 25 long-term care beds; ° 3 arenas; ° 7 seniors’ residences (low-cost housing); ° Many private and public halls where large gatherings are possible; ° Several safe houses and hotels;
49 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
° Buildings and institutions.
Some buildings in the territory are not connected to the water supply system. Nevertheless, buildings are spaced relatively far apart and there is little danger of conflagration.
Guidelines relevant to fire safety planning
° Submit an audit or inspection of all buildings;
° Plan special or additional prevention measures in areas where responding is problematic;
° Review the development plan while taking account of special features of the area and the protection coverage provided in the fire safety cover plan;
° Promote the use of self-protection measures in regional companies and institutions;
° Review operational procedures to provide for the deployment of resources based on the risks to be covered, firefighter availability, distance and the water supply sources available in the different parts of the territory.
50 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
CHAPTER 5 – CURRENT FIRE SAFETY SITUATION
In accordance with section 10 of the Fire Safety Act, the cover plan includes an inventory, evaluation and classification of existing or planned fire protection measures, and the human, physical and financial resources, communications systems and infrastructure or water supply sources allocated to fire safety throughout the territory. It also includes an analysis of the functional relations between those resources and an evaluation of operational procedures. In all cases where the amount or quality of these resources is deficient, the cover plan refers to corrective or remedial action required to address the situation.
5.1 Current protection method
Of the 18 municipalities, 14 have a fire safety service that protects Pontiac MRC territory. The municipality of Rapide-des-Joachims is served by the Laurentian Hills fire safety service located in the Province of Ontario. The Lac Nilgaut unorganized territory is not covered by any fire safety service.
5.2 Mutual assistance
Most municipalities have mutual assistance agreements ensuring automatic or periodic assistance. The table that follows outlines existing agreements by municipality.
51 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
TABLE 21: MUTUAL ASSISTANCE AGREEMENTS IN FORCE IN THE RCM Territory covered by Type of Municipality Term of agreement FSS agreement/municipality (OMA) Otter-Lake Verbal Alleyn-et-Cawood Alleyn-et-Cawood (OMA) Kazabazua Verbal (OMA) Shawville/Clarendon 2 years with automatic renewal Bristol Bristol (OMA) Pontiac Not mentioned Bryson et Île-du- Grand- (AA) Île-du-Grand-Calumet 3 years with automatic renewal Bryson Calumet (OMA) Campbell’s Bay Verbal (OMA) Bryson Verbal Campbell’s Bay Campbell’s Bay / Litchfield (OMA) Mansfield-et-Pontefract Verbal (OMA) Thorne Verbal (OMA) Isle-aux-Allumettes 3 years with automatic renewal Chichester / Sheenboro Chichester (OMA) Waltham 3 years with automatic renewal (AA) Campbell’s Bay Verbal Clarendon Clarendon / Shawville (OMA) Bristol 2 years with automatic renewal (OMA) Thorne 2 years with automatic renewal Fort-Coulonge Fort-Coulonge (OMA) Mansfield-et-Pontefract Verbal Île-du-Grand-Calumet et (AA) (EP) Bryson 3 years with automatic renewal Île-du-Grand-Calumet Bryson (OMA) Campbell’s Bay Verbal Lac Nilgaut None (OMA) Chichester/ Sheenboro 3 years with automatic renewal Isle-aux-Allumettes Isle-aux-Allumettes (OMA) Waltham 3 years with automatic renewal Litchfield Campbell’s Bay / Litchfield See Campbell’s Bay Fort-Coulonge Motion (non-compliant) Mansfield-et-Pontefract Mansfield-et-Pontefract Waltham Verbal Campbell’s Bay/Litchfield 5 years with automatic renewal Otter-Lake Otter-Lake (OMA) Thorne Written agreement, auto. renewal. Portage-du-Fort Portage-du-Fort (OMA Shawville/Clarendon 1 year with automatic renewal Rapides-des-Joachims Laurentian Hills Service delivery Indeterminate, 60 days’ notice (OMA) Bristol 2 years with automatic renewal Clarendon / Shawville Shawville (OMA) Thorne 2 years with automatic renewal (OMA) Isle-aux-Allumettes 3 years with automatic renewal Chichester / Sheenboro Sheenboro (OMA) Waltham 3 years with automatic renewal Campbell’s Bay/ Litchfield (AA) Campbell’s Bay/ Litchfield Not mentioned (OMA) Shawville/Clarendon 2 years with automatic renewal Thorne Thorne (AA) to cover LaPêche sector 1 year with automatic renewal (OMA) Isle-aux-Allumettes 3 years with automatic renewal Waltham Waltham (OMA) Chichester / Sheenboro 3 years with automatic renewal (OMA) Mansfield-et-Pontefract 3 years with automatic renewal AA= Automatic assistance, OMA= Occasional mutual assistance and SD= Service delivery.
Mutual assistance agreements signed between local authorities allow for the use of additional equipment and personnel as needed.
5.3 Other fields of intervention
Other fields of intervention will not be included in the fire safety cover plan without first analyzing risks and evaluating intervention methods. In the meantime, specialized services will continue in keeping with established practice and occupational health and safety standards. The table that follows summarizes the other areas of intervention provided by each fire safety service in the MRC.
52 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
TABLE 22: OTHER FIELDS OF INTERVENTION
Other fields of intervention
Municipalities
Forest fires Jaws of life First responder Carbon monoxide Enclosed space rescue Water rescue Alleyn-et-Cawood X Bristol Bryson Campbell’s Bay/ Litchfield X X X X Chichester / Sheenboro Fort-Coulonge X Île-du-Grand-Calumet X Isle-aux-Allumettes X X Otter-Lake X X X Mansfield-et-Pontefract X X X X Portage-du-Fort Shawville /Clarendon X X Thorne X Waltham X X
53 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
5.4 INDUSTRIAL AND INSTITUTIONAL FIRE BRIGADES
There are no industrial or institutional fire brigades in the MRC territory.
Corrective/remedial measures to include in the implementation plan
Action 1: Establish FSS by enacting a municipal bylaw.
Action 2: Raise employer awareness within the MRC concerning the benefits of having trained fire safety resources among their personnel.
Action 3: In cooperation with the municipalities, draft an intermunicipal model agreement or revise existing agreements to ensure that resources are deployed in accordance with the objectives identified in the cover plan. Action 4: Ratify (one year) and/or maintain intermunicipal agreements with surrounding municipalities for fire coverage in order to meet the cover plan objectives. Action 5: Municipalities that have no fire safety service must approve (1 year) and maintain an intermunicipal agreement on fire protection with one or more nearby municipalities in order to meet the cover plan objectives. Furthermore, in cooperation with the MRC, municipalities with no fire safety service must implement prevention activities within their territories to meet the objectives of the cover plan and provide one human resource (such as a municipal inspector) to enforce the smoke alarm installation and verification program.
5.5 FIRE SAFETY SERVICE ORGANIZATION
5.5.1 Human resources
5.5.2 Number
Fire safety services in MRC municipalities rely on 256 members, including 193 firefighters and 63 officers, all part-time (on call) and no fire prevention specialists. No ready fire station personnel are present in the fire stations or in the territory. The 256 firefighters fall in the following age groups: 36% between 18 and 35, 51% between 26 and 55 and 13% over 55.
54 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
TABLE 23: PERSONNEL ASSIGNED TO FIRE SAFETY IN 2010
Number of firefighters Number of officers Total Fire Safety Services personnel full-time casual part-time full-time casual part-time
Alleyn-et-Cawood 0 0 6 0 0 4 10
Bristol 0 0 17 0 0 3 20
Bryson 0 0 7 0 0 4 11
Campbell’s Bay/Litchfield 0 0 19 0 0 6 25
Chichester/Sheenboro 0 0 11 0 0 4 15
Fort-Coulonge 0 0 19 0 0 6 25
Île-du-Grand-Calumet 0 0 9 0 0 2 11
Isle-aux-Allumettes 0 0 13 0 0 6 19
Mansfield-et-Pontefract 0 0 21 0 0 6 27
Otter-Lake 0 0 15 0 0 8 23
Portage-du-Fort 0 0 7 0 0 2 9
Shawville/Clarendon 0 0 16 0 0 7 23
Thorne 0 0 13 0 0 2 15
Waltham 0 0 20 0 0 3 23
MRC 0 0 193 0 0 63 256
5.5.2.1 Training
Requirements
In order to meet the prescribed firefighter training requirements set out in the regulations enacted by the Province of Quebec in 2004, firefighters with FSS in the Pontiac MRC must, at a minimum, pass the Firefighter 1 program. Firefighters who operate the first response vehicle must have pump operator specialization. Officers must have basic training, i.e. the non-urban officer course.
These new regulations apply to all firefighters except those hired before September 17, 1998. They are not subject to the new training requirements if they are still performing the same duties. However, the FSS chief must ensure that all firefighters receive the training required to perform their work adequately and safely pursuant to section 51 of An Act Respecting Occupational Health and Safety.
55 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
Furthermore, as mentioned in the chapter on the history of intervention, FSS chiefs in Quebec are responsible under section 43 of the Fire Safety Act for determining the causes and circumstances of fires in their territory. Therefore, they must have the necessary training to perform this activity, or delegate it to a qualified resource.
Situation overview
The personnel training overview shows that 50% of part-time firefighters in the MRC are subject to the “Regulation respecting the conditions governing the exercise of functions within a municipal fire safety service,” and that 12% completed the "Firefighter 1" training. In March 2008, 124 firefighters (47%) had started the “Firefighter 1” training program. No officers had completed the “Officer 1” or “Non-urban Officer” course.
An agreement was signed with the École nationale des pompiers du Québec (ÉNPQ) to have the Western Québec School Board manage the training in the territory. In terms of activities related to identifying the causes and circumstances of fires, no member of any FSS in the Pontiac MRC has specialized training in this field. Currently, this responsibility is primarily met by representatives of the Quebec provincial police in cooperation with the FSS chief.
The table that follows illustrates the firefighter training situation in FSS in the Pontiac MRC.
56 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
TABLE 24: OVERVIEW OF PART-TIME FIREFIGHTER TRAINING IN 2010 Firefighters Firefighter 1 Non-urban officer Number of subject to Fire Safety Services or Level 1 training firefighters training completed completed regulation Alleyn-et-Cawood 10 0 0 5
Bristol 20 0 0 16
Bryson 11 5 0 2
Campbell’s Bay/Litchfield 25 20 0 2
Chichester/Sheenboro 15 5 0 5
Fort-Coulonge 25 15 0 6
Île-du-Grand-Calumet 11 0 0 5
Isle-aux-Allumettes 19 17 0 19
Mansfield-et-Pontefract 27 21 0 0
Otter-Lake 23 6 0 5
Portage-du-Fort 9 1 0 3
Shawville/Clarendon 23 11 0 6
Thorne 15 3 0 4
Waltham 23 7 0 6
MRC 256 111 0 84
5.5.2.2 Availability
Requirements
According to departmental fire safety guidelines, which set the standards applicable in this field in Quebec, ten (10) firefighters are required at building fires involving a low risk. Four firefighters is the minimum required to attack fires inside a building or conduct rescue operations.
The table that follows shows the personnel generally considered to be optimal for a response at a low-risk building, according to the rescue and fire extinguishing actions necessary.
57 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
TABLE 25: ALLOCATION OF DUTIES AMONG FIRST-RESPONDING FIREFIGHTERS
NUMBER OF FIREFIGHTER TOTAL OBJECTIVES ACTIVITIES FIREFIGHTERS NUMBER NUMBER Fire hydrant connection 1 1 1 SECURE WATER SUPPLY Pump operation 1 2 2 ANALYZE SITUATION Operational supervision 1 3 3 RESCUE PERSONS IN Search and rescue 2 4 and 5 5 DANGER Position protection line 2 6 and 7 7 PROTECT NEIGHBOURING Position attack line 2 8 and 1 8 BUILDINGS Deployment of portable ladder VENTILATE THE BUILDING Use of necessary equipment 2 9 and 10 10 and accessories CONFINE THE FIRE TO THE Position attack line 2 4 and 5 10 LOCATION OF ORIGIN Source: Departmental guidelines of the Minister of Public Safety
In light of their volunteer status, FSS firefighters in the Pontiac MRC have not agreed to remain in the area at all times and are not required to report for each response. The situation concerning personnel availability is shown in the table that follows.
TABLE 26: FIREFIGHTER NUMBERS AND AVAILABILITY
NUMBER OF FIREFIGHTERS AVAILABLE NUMBER OF TO RESPOND TO THE FIRST ALARM FIRE SAFETY SERVICE FIREFIGHTERS EVENING/NI DAY WEEKEND GHT Alleyn-et-Cawood 10 4 4 4 Bristol (main fire station) 10 4 4 4 Bristol (satellite fire station) 10 4 4 4 Bryson 11 4 4 4 Campbell’s Bay/ Litchfield (main fire station) 25 8 8 8 Chichester /Sheenboro 15 6 6 6 Fort-Coulonge 25 3 8 8 Île-du-Grand-Calumet 11 5 5 5 Isle-aux-Allumettes (main fire station) 10 3 4 4 Isle-aux-Allumettes (satellite fire station) 9 3 4 4 Mansfield-et-Pontefract 27 5 8 8 Otter-Lake 23 5 8 8 Portage-du-Fort 9 4 4 4 Shawville /Clarendon 23 6 8 8 Thorne 15 4 6 6 Waltham 23 8 8 8 Total 256 76 93 93 N.B.: The fire safety services in Bristol, Campbell’s Bay/Litchfield and Isle-aux-Allumettes have two fire stations (one main station and one satellite station). Following a call, firefighters with these services report to the main fire station. During a response, arrangements have been made for firefighters from Bristol and Isle-aux-Allumettes to report to a specific fire station in order to limit response times primarily within UAs.
58 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
The objective is to allocate one-half of service personnel to each of the FSS fire stations. Service personnel in Campbell’s Bay/Litchfield are all attached to the main station and, depending on the nature of the response, a team is automatically sent to the garage located within one kilometre of the fire station to pick up the required response vehicle (tanker or pumper-ladder truck).
This table shows that none of the municipalities would likely be able to mobilize ten (10) firefighters at the first alarm. Furthermore, some periods are more problematic than others, such as weekdays, vacation periods and statutory holidays.
5.5.2.3 Training and occupational health and safety
Requirements
According to good practice, all municipalities with a FSS must have a training program. In this regard, the guidelines of the Minister of Public Safety state that the effectiveness of a response depends on the level of preparation among personnel called upon to fight fires. This level of preparation can be measured according to the training delivered to firefighters; fire safety service members are expected to take this training on a regular basis, and the organization's response plans are to be updated. As well, fire safety response work demands that each person have a firm grasp of special knowledge and skills, as well as very good coordination of the action expected of the fire service team and intermunicipal mutual assistance. Furthermore, the departmental guidelines refer to the NFPA 1500, Standard on Fire Safety Service Occupational Safety and Health Program to determine the frequency of training sessions. When the fire service is responsible for fighting building fires, it is required to provide its members, at least once a month, with training on fighting building fires. The École nationale des pompiers du Québec (ÉNPQ) has published a guide for Quebec fire safety services to help them develop their training program.
Furthermore, it is generally accepted that the duties performed by a firefighter entail a greater risk than other occupations. Accordingly, employers must minimally ensure that their firefighters’ working conditions are normal for the type of work they perform. For example, it would not be normal for a firefighter to enter a smoke-filled dwelling without breathing apparatus, a compliant bunker suit or the training needed to exercise this profession. A host of safety rules also apply during a response, however minor. Needless to say, the implementation of an occupational safety and health program enables firefighters to use equipment effectively and safely, and instructs them on safe response methods in dangerous locations.
Situation overview
At present, no FSS personnel in the Pontiac MRC sits on an occupational health and safety committee. Furthermore, training sessions have not been standardized among fire stations, and not all personnel participate.
59 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
TABLE 27: CONTINUOUS TRAINING (PRACTICES)
NUMBER OF FIRE SAFETY SERVICE HOURS OF CONTINUOUS TRAINING FIREFIGHTERS Alleyn-et-Cawood 10 24 Bristol 20 24 Bryson 11 48 Campbell’s Bay/ Litchfield 25 26 Chichester /Sheenboro 15 24 Fort-Coulonge 25 48 Île-du-Grand-Calumet 11 30 Isle-aux-Allumettes 19 48 Mansfield-et-Pontefract 27 24 Otter-Lake 23 17 Portage-du-Fort 9 48 Shawville /Clarendon 23 36 Thorne 15 24 Waltham 23 24
60 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
Corrective/remedial measures to include in the implementation plan
Action 6: Establish a recruitment program to ensure a minimal contingent of firefighters per fire station.
Action 7: Ensure that all firefighters and officers have the training required for the duties assigned to them in accordance with the regulation applicable in Quebec.
Action 8: Ensure that FSS personnel include resources trained to identify the causes and circumstances of fires. Otherwise, enter an agreement with a municipality that has such resources.
Action 9: Establish a system for monitoring the availability of personnel and to ensure that a certain number of firefighters are present in the territory at all times.
Action 10: Based on NFPA standards and the ÉNPQ guide, establish a standardized monthly training program with participation by all personnel.
Action 11: Ensure that all fire safety services have an occupational safety and health program and committee, and that they participate in them.
Action 12: As needed, maintain and renew the agreement with the ÉNPQ to train personnel assigned to fire safety.
Action 13: Hire a qualified fire prevention resource to coordinate and monitor implementation of the cover plan and make this resource available to the FSS.
Action 14: Provide a regional resource to FSS with fire prevention qualifications (FPT) to inspect the higher-risk situations present in the RMC territory.
5.5.3 Material resources
5.5.3.1 Fire stations
Requirements
The main feature of a fire station is its location. This location must be determined based on response time and the following factors: future development, natural obstacles, communication channels, ease of access by firefighters, etc.
The location of fire stations is vital information for measuring risk coverage according to response vehicle travel time and for assessing the need for the redeployment of certain other equipment from a different fire station to enhance the effectiveness of response.
61 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
Situation overview
TABLE 28: FIRE STATIONS Fire station characteristics Municipalities Number Designation Address # doors # bays
Alleyn-et-Cawood 1 Main 10 Chemin Jondee Rd. 2 5 Main 24 Chemin Wharf 2 2 Bristol 2 Satellite 11 Chemin Eleventh Line 1 1 Bryson 1 Main 833 Main 2 2 Main 85 Leslie, Campbell’s Bay 3 3 Campbell’s Bay/Litchfield 2 Satellite 1362 Route 148, Campbell’s Bay 2 2
Chichester/ 1513 Chapeau-Sheenboro, 1 Main 1 2 Sheenboro Chichester Fort-Coulonge 1 Main 559 rue Baume 3 3
Île-du-Grand-Calumet 1 Main 8 Rue Brizard 1 2 Main 125 rue King 4 4 Isle-aux-Allumettes 2 Satellite 6B St-Joseph 2 2 Mansfield-et-Pontefract 1 Main 300 Main 4 4 Otter-Lake 1 Main 15 Palmer Avenue 2 2 Portage-du-Fort 1 Main 19, Calumet 1 1 Shawville/Clarendon 1 Main 200 Centre Street, Shawville 3 5 Thorne 1 Main 775 Route 366 3 3 Waltham 1 Main 71 Hôtel de Ville 3 3 MRC 17
As mentioned earlier, 14 main fire stations are spread throughout the Pontiac MRC. Three satellite stations are also located in the municipalities of Bristol, Campbell’s Bay and Isle-aux-Allumettes.
Although improvements are advisable for certain fire stations (office set-up and additions to facilitate vehicle and equipment storage), they have few entry/exit limitations and no problems that might increase response times, which fosters a prompt response.
The location of these fire stations also ensures protection to a large portion of the territory. Bear in mind that the municipalities of Rapide-des-Joachims, Sheenboro, Clarendon and the Lac Nilgaut unorganized territory have no on-site fire station.
62 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
The table that follows specifies the distance in kilometres between the fire stations in each municipality. The data used were taken from the driving distance site of the Ministère des Transports1.
This table will be used as a reference for optimizing resources. It therefore identifies the FSS likely to respond to the alarm, depending on the response location within the territory occupied by Pontiac MRC municipalities. The number of minutes reflects the estimated travel time, not the time required to mobilize firefighters or to assemble a full strike force at the scene of the response.
Therefore, this figure does not reflect personnel response time. In addition, distances and times were calculated according to the shortest route in terms of time, given the speed limits of the roads under ideal driving conditions, corresponding to the speed limits of the road system, and without accounting for extra time necessitated by poor weather, heavy traffic or road work. Lastly, road tests have confirmed that travel time in areas with hills or curves is underestimated in the table that follows. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that the times specified for resource optimization are slightly longer.
1 http://www.inforoutiere.qc.ca/fr/distances/index1.asp
63 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
TABLE 29: DISTANCES IN KILOMETRES /MINUTES BETWEEN TERRITORIAL FIRE STATIONS (DATA FROM MTQ DRIVING DISTANCE SITE)
es (main
Calumet
Pontefract
-
-
Fort
-
et
-
Cawood
-
Allumett Allumettes du
- - -
et
Grand
-
-
Coulonge
aux aux
-
- -
du
-
Alleyn Bristol(main station) Bristol(satellite station) Bryson Campbell'sBay/ Litchfield (mainstation) Campbell'sBay/ Litchfield (satellite station) Chichester/Sheenboro Fort Île Isle station) Isle (satellite station) Mansfield Otter Lake Portage Shawville/ Clarendon Thorne Waltham Alleyn-et-Cawood X 28/32 42/48 Bristol (main station) X 18/30 22/29 14/18 Bristol (satellite station) 18/30 X 39/42 32/41 17/23 16/26 Bryson X 9/11 8/8 6/8 12/16 15/14 Campbell's Bay/ Litchfield 1/2 9/11 X 19/19 13/14 19/16 22/26 19/20 22/19 23/33 (main station) Campbell's Bay/ Litchfield 39/42 X 8/8 1/2 20/18 20/16 22/26 22/18 (satellite station) Chichester/ Sheenboro X 6/7 17/24 34/35 18/23 Fort-Coulonge 19/19 20/18 X 32/32 3/5 20/19 Île-du-Grand-Calumet 6/8 13/14 32/32 X 18/23 22/21 Isle-aux-Allumettes (main 12/18 6/7 X 31/31 15/20 station) Isle-aux-Allumettes (satellite X 17/24 12/18 29/23 13/12 station) Mansfield-et-Pontefract 19/16 20/16 34/35 3/5 31/31 29/23 X 17/14 Otter Lake 28/32 22/26 22/26 X 14/18 Portage-du-Fort 22/29 32/41 12/16 19/20 18/23 X 16/17 Shawville/ Clarendon 14/18 17/23 15/14 22/19 22/18 22/21 16/17 X 21/24 Thorne 42/48 16/26 23/33 14/18 21/24 X Waltham 18/23 20/19 15/20 13/12 17/14 X
64 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
Table 30: Distance in kilometres/minutes between stations outside the territory
eenboro
Calumet
-
Fort
-
Pontefract
-
Cawood
-
Allumettes (main Allumettes du
- - -
et (main firestation) (main station) (satellite
Grand
-
-
pbell'sBay/ Litchfield
Coulonge
aux aux
-
- -
du
-
Alleyn Bristol Bristol Bryson Cam (mainstation) Campbell'sBay/ Litchfield (satellite station) Chichester/Sh Fort Île Isle station) Isle (satellite station) Mansfield Otter Lake Portage Shawville/ Clarendon Thorne Waltham La Pêche (station #3) 17/29 18/26 La Pêche (station #4) 32/55 Pontiac 19/22 29/35
Kazabazua 12/15
65 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
Corrective/remedial measures to include in the implementation plan
Action 15: If possible, improve fire station layout and, as necessary, provide additional space to facilitate response vehicle and equipment storage.
5.5.3.2 Response vehicles
Requirements
The effectiveness of fire-fighting operations depends on the type and condition of the various items of equipment made available to firefighters. A FSS must have the necessary vehicles and accessories to fight fire, and they must comply with the appropriate accepted standards.
Response vehicles with built-in pumps (pumper, pumper-ladder, pumper-tanker trucks) must comply with CAN/ULC-S-515-M88 or CAN/ULC-S515-04. Periodic inspection of response vehicle pumps is vitally important to measure pressure and flow, and to ensure they are in proper working condition.
These periodic annual tests also make it possible to detect any problems that might detract from the equipment’s operation and, as necessary, perform preventive repairs.
Furthermore, performance and compliance certificates issued by representatives of the Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC) are also required at the rate specified in the Le Guide d’application des exigences relatives aux véhicules et accessoires d’intervention (guidelines for application of response vehicle and accessory requirements) published by the Department of Public Safety.
In addition to periodic pump inspections and regular mechanical maintenance (oil, brakes, etc.), response vehicles must be inspected by the Société de l’Assurance Automobile du Québec (SAAQ) to verify their mechanical reliability and road behaviour.
Each year, fire safety services must also perform the mandatory maintenance procedures and mechanical inspection set out in the Regulation respecting safety standards for road vehicles, i.e. mandatory maintenance every six months, and mandatory periodic mechanical inspection (annual sticker), which can be replaced by a preventive maintenance program (PMP). For fire vehicles, pre-departure inspection consists of inspecting the vehicles on their return after a response, not necessarily more than once in a 24-hour period, but at least once every seven days. Although this inspection applies under the above-mentioned regulation to municipalities with a population of 25,000 or more, all fire safety services would benefit by performing this inspection and recording all results in the appropriate log.
66 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
Furthermore, all response vehicles assigned to carry water should have a portable pump (class A) as part of their equipment in order to fill their tank. In a recommendation proposed in the Guide d’application des exigences relatives aux véhicules et accessoires d’intervention published by the Department of Public Safety, this portable pump must be designed to operate at a high flow and low pressure, in order to transfer large amounts of water quickly. Since the actual performance requirement of a pump is approximately 90% of its rated capacity, while departmental policy recommends a water flow rate of 1,500 l/minute to fight a low-risk fire, the performance criteria of the Class A pump must be equal to or greater than 1,700 l/min at the pump outlet at 175 kPa pressure.
Moreover, all response vehicles assigned to carry water should also be equipped with portable tanks. According to a recommendation in the NFPA standard 1142 “Standard on water supplies for suburban and rural fire fighting,” the volume of this portable tank should be 40 % more than the volume of water in the tank carried by the vehicle. Lastly, the vehicle tank should be equipped with a discharge value allowing an average flow of 4,000 l/min (25 cm per 25cm) and a 100-mm diameter fill line.
Situation overview
Pontiac MRC municipalities have a total of 44 fire emergency vehicles. The tables that follow outline the distribution of response vehicles by fire station, and provide a few clarifications concerning their specific features.
67 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
TABLE 31: NUMBER AND TYPE OF EMERGENCY VEHICLE BY FSS Types of vehicle Fire safety services Pumper- Ladder Emergency Pumper Tanker Total tanker truck van Alleyn-et-Cawood 1 0 1 0 0 2 Bristol 0 2 1 0 1 4 Bryson 1 0 0 0 1 2 Campbell’s Bay/Litchfield 1 1 1 1 1 5 Chichester/Sheenboro 1 0 1 0 1 3 Fort-Coulonge 1 0 0 0 1 2 Île-du-Grand-Calumet 0 1 0 0 1 2 Isle-aux-Allumettes 1 1 2 0 1 5
Mansfield-et-Pontefract 0 1 1 0 2 4
Otter-Lake 0 1 0 0 1 2
Portage-du-Fort 1 0 0 0 1 2 Shawville/Clarendon 1 0 2 1 1 5 Thorne 1 0 1 0 1 3
Waltham 1 0 1 0 1 3
MRC 10 7 11 2 14 44
68 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
TABLE 32: FIRE VEHICLE CHARACTERISTICS
Vehicle features Annual testing Location Fire safety Pump Water Drin valve Filler ULC Certifi Pumping Road Type of services Year capacity volume opening line appro cation P=pass P=pass Station vehicle (l/min) (litres) (cm) (mm) ved F=fail F=Fail Alleyn-et- Pumper 1973 3000 3405 No 2010 P P Main Cawood Tanker 1968 6819 25 X 25 ? No 2010 P Main Pumper 127 Yes 2010 4000 11365 25 x 25 2010 P P Main tanker Bristol Tanker 1986 9092 15 ? No 1986 P Main Pumper 100 No Non- Non- 1977 2000 11365 15 1977 Satellite tanker compliant compliant Bryson Pumper 1978 3000 2270 No 2010 P P Main Pumper 2007 5000 3814 Yes 2007 P P Main Pumper 100 No 1979 3000 6819 25 X 25 2003 P P Main Campbell’s Bay tanker / Litchfield Tanker 1989 8172 25 x 25 ? Yes 2003 P Garage Pumper 150 Yes 1977 4000 2270 2003 P P Garage ladder Chichester Pumper 2007 5000 3632 Yes 2007 P P Main Sheenboro Tanker 1980 6819 15 ? No No P Main Pumper 1992 5000 3632 No 2003 P P Main Pumper 150 Yes 1989 4000 2270 2009 P P Main Clarendon / ladder Shawville ? Yes Non- Tanker 2002 13638 25 x 25 2002 Main compliant Tanker 1979 5902 25 x 25 ? No 1979 P Main Fort-Coulonge Pumper 1995 4000 3770 Yes 2007 P P Main Île-du-Grand- Pumper 100 No Non- 1978 2000 6819 15 1978 P Main Calumet tanker compliant Pumper 1978 4000 2270 No 2003 P P Main Pumper 100 No Non- Non- 1979 2000 6819 15 1979 Satellite Isle-aux- tanker compliant compliant Allumettes ? No Non- Tanker 1979 4540 15 1979 Satellite compliant Tanker 2006 11375 25 x 25 ? Yes 2006 P Main ? Yes Non- Tanker 1980 6819 25 x 25 2007 Main Mansfield-et- compliant Pontefract Pumper 150 Yes 1990 4000 8182 25 x 25 2007 P P Main tanker Otter-Lake Pumper 255 Yes 2008 5000 11365 25 x 25 2008 P P Main tanker Portage-du-Fort Pumper 1967 4000 2270 Yes 2010 P P Main Pumper 2007 6000 3632 Yes 2007 P P Main Thorne Tanker 1979 9092 25 X 25 ? No 2003 P Main Pumper 1989 5000 3178 Yes 2007 P P Main Waltham Tanker 1995 9988 25 x 25 ? Yes 1995 P Main Boxes shown in red indicate non-compliance with requirements
After reading the information entered in the latter table, we note the following:
69 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
° All vehicles must pass annual tests starting in Year 1 of the implementation plan. Non-compliant vehicles must successfully obtain performance and/or compliance certificates from Year 2 to Year 4 of the cover plan implementation. Unless vehicles are brought up to the standard specified in the Guide d’application des exigences relatives aux véhicules et accessoires d’intervention, remedial action must be taken, including automatic agreements following the initial alarm with neighbouring municipalities for deployment of pumper and/or water transport trucks, as applicable; ° All Pontiac MRC FSS agree to bring vehicles that do not pass the annual tests up to standard in Year 1 of implementation; ° Each main fire station has a pumper truck as its first response vehicle in order to quickly begin fire-fighting operations; ° Several vehicles over 15 years old must obtain their performance and/or compliance certification; ° The FSS in Bryson, Fort-Coulonge and Portage-du-Fort have no trucks designated for water transport. They will have to enter into automatic mutual assistance agreements for the deployment of at least two (2) water transport vehicles by neighbouring municipalities at the first alarm outside the standard water supply system; ° Two vehicles equipped with a 50-foot ladder are available to firefighters in Campbell’s Bay/Litchfield and Clarendon/Shawville to make it easier to reach certain tall buildings. These vehicles are not planned for replacement if they do not pass the performance certification tests, and will therefore no longer be considered part of the optimized fire coverage; ° The most recent inspections by Pontiac MRC FSS on response vehicles were mostly performed several years ago although they are required annually; ° Not all water carrier vehicles have a drainage valve with a drainage rate of 4,000 litres/minute and a 100 mm feeder line. Some tankers or pumper-tankers will have to be modified by replacing or adding a high-speed drainage valve and a 100 mm filler line opening.
Therefore, in the first year of the cover plan implementation, all municipalities must submit a certificate to the MRC confirming that their response vehicles have passed the annual vehicle tests (weight, acceleration, speed and braking, pumping, etc.) as specified in the manufacturing standard ULC-S515 Automobile Firefighting Apparatus. Refer to the Guide d'application des exigences relatives aux véhicules et accessoires d'intervention for information about the various requirements by different type of vehicle. The municipalities must give priority to maintaining performance in their implementation plan, in accordance with the specified guide.
On acquiring a new vehicle, municipalities must ensure that it was manufactured and approved in accordance with ULC-S515. If the vehicle is used, the municipalities must require a performance certificate or certification of compliance with the ULC-S515 standard at the time of its acquisition.
70 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
In all cases, the complementarity and compatibility of equipment with that of neighbouring municipalities, or municipalities included in a fire safety agreement, must be taken into account.
Table 33: Fire safety service resources outside the MRC
Number of
Pumping fire fighters Type of Water
Municipality MRC (litres / Drainage (available days- ULC
vehicle Year volume
Bays holidays- Doors
min) testing Annual weekends)
Kazabazua La Vallée- Pumper 2004 4,773 l 3,636 l Y Y 7.62 cm 378, Route 105 3 2 de-la- 15 (8-8-8) Pumper- Gatineau 2004 3,818 l 6,819 l Y Y 30.48 cm tanker Pontiac Emergency 1981 Fire station # 3 van 24, Church Service 1997 Les vehicle 4 4 Collines-de- 11 (5-9-9) Pumper 2003 3,810 l 6,810 l Y Y 25 x 25 l’Outaouais cm Tanker 1983 7,720 l N Y 25 X 25 cm La Pêche 3 3 Les Pumper 1978 2,838 l 4,540 l Y Y Fire station # 3 Collines-de- 7 Chemin de la l’Outaouais caserne Pumper- 2007 4,653 l 13,620 l Y Y 25 X 25 tanker cm 16 (4-14-14) Emergency 1990 van La Pêche 3 3 Les Pumper- 2008 5,675 l 13,620 l Y Y 25 x 25 Fire station # 4 Collines-de- tanker cm l’Outaouais Pumper- 1987 2,838 l 4,540 l Y Y 20 cm 17 (3-14-14) Tanker Emergency 2010 van Laurentian Ontario Pumper 6,356 l Hills Tanker 39 (8-8-8) Pt. Alexander 6,819 l Fire Hall Deep River Ontario Tanker 10 (2-4-4) 100, Deep River 6,819 l road
71 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
Corrective/remedial measures to include in the implementation plan
Action 16: Have all response vehicles inspected as required and, if necessary, obtain ULC performance and/or compliance certification.
Action 17: Establish remedial measures to replace vehicles that fail inspections.
Action 18: Develop, implement and monitor a program of response vehicle and portable pump replacement, acquisition, maintenance and evaluation based on applicable standards and the guide to requirements concerning response vehicles and accessories for fire safety services published by the Department of Public Safety (DPS).
Action 19: Ensure that drainage and filler valves of tankers and pumper-tankers are compliant to speed up drainage and filling operations in compliance with the guide to requirements concerning response vehicles and accessories for fire safety services published by the DPS. The vehicle drainage valve of vehicles listed in the table below will have to be modified to meet requirements.
TABLE 34: REQUIRED VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS Municipality Vehicle Required modification Bristol Tanker 1986 Drainage valve opening 25 cm2 Pumper-tanker 1977 Drainage valve opening 25 cm2
Chichester/Sheenboro Tanker 1980 Drainage valve opening 25 cm2
Île-du-Grand-Calumet Pumper-tanker 1978 Drainage valve opening 25 cm2 Isle-aux-Allumettes Pumper-tanker 1979 Drainage valve opening 25 cm2 Tanker 1979 Drainage valve opening 25 cm2
Action 20: Replace or acquire the response vehicles specified in the table 35.
TABLE 35: RESPONSE VEHICLE REPLACEMENT AND ACQUISITION Response vehicle replacement Vehicle to be Vehicle to be Estimated Municipality Year replaced acquired cost Alleyn-et-Cawood Pumper and tanker Pumper-tanker Year 3 $250,000 Chichester/Sheenboro Tanker Pumper-tanker Year 3 $250,000 Île-du-Grand-Calumet Pumper-tanker Pumper-tanker Year 3 $250,000 Mansfield-et- Tanker Pumper-tanker Year 3 $250,000 Pontefract
72 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
5.5.3.3 Response/protection equipment and accessories
Requirements
Bunker suits, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), replacement air tanks and distress alarms are vital firefighter equipment. Without them, firefighters could not perform their work safely.
Protective equipment (coats, pants, boots, gloves, helmets and face masks) must comply with the NFPA 1972 – Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting or its equivalent. Each firefighter must have a compliant bunker suit (two-piece) sized to fit.
Given that rescuing people from a burning building should not be attempted until at least four firefighters are present at the scene, each fire station must have at least four breathing apparatus devices equipped with a distress alarm and spare air tanks for each device. Also, if a fire safety responder is required to work in an environment where the air is contaminated, the municipality must provide protective respiratory equipment and ensure that the responder wears it. Respiratory apparatus must be chosen, adjusted, used and maintained in accordance with CSA Z94.4-93 and the breathable compressed air that supplies the protective respiratory equipment must comply with CAN3 Z180.1-M852. For that reason, fire safety services require annual SCBA testing.
Lastly, most of the equipment used for fire-fighting (hoses and ladders, for example) are subject to many manufacturers’ standards and requirements. These primarily concern the maintenance and safe use of such equipment. These standards also recommend periodic testing of the equipment’s effectiveness.
Situation overview
Concerning FSS in the Pontiac MRC, not all firefighters have a bunker suit that meets standards. Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and distress alarms are not available for all firefighters. However, almost all of the main fire stations have at least four breathing apparatus units and spare air tanks. Among the FSS in the Pontiac MRC, this equipment is not standardized. Models differ from one station to another. The SCBA used by FSS in the Pontiac MRC are tested annually on a test bench. All air tanks are subject to annual visual inspection. Checks are performed by a specialized private company.
2 Regulation respecting occupational health and safety, section VI
73 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
TABLE 36: EQUIPMENT
Personal protective equipment Pumps and portable tanks
Municipality Number of pumps Number of tanks / Bunker suits / Breathing Spare Distress / capacity in capacity in number of apparatus tanks alarms litres/min. of litres/min. of firefighters primary unit largest Alleyn-et-Cawood 4 6 0 8/10 3/2,273 1/6,810 Bristol 9 18 12 25/20 3/2,273 2/9,080 Bryson 4 10 2 16/11 1/2,650 Campbell’s Bay / 12 28 12 25/25 3/2,273 2/3,400 Litchfield Chichester Sheenboro 6 10 6 14/15 2/908 1/6,810 Clarendon / Shawville 12 50 12 23/23 2/2,650 2/9,000 Fort-Coulonge 14 34 14 15/25 2/2,082 Île-du-Grand-Calumet 4 8 4 12/11 3/2,273 2/6,840 Isle-aux-Allumettes 18 46 18 26/19 2/454 1/12,712 Mansfield-et- 19 80 19 35/27 2/2,650 2/6,810 Pontefract Otter-Lake 12 10 12 23/23 2/2,273 2/8,328 Portage-du-Fort 8 10 8 7/9 2/1,362 Thorne 7 14 7 17/15 4/1,625 2/4,540 Waltham 9 15 8 26/23 2/2,650 1/6,810
MRC 126 339 134 272/256 33 18 Boxes shown in red indicate non-compliance with requirements
Some fire safety services in the Pontiac MRC do not have a Class A pump (+1,700 litres/minute at 175 kPa) capable of providing a flow rate that can refill water trucks at a rate of 1,500 litres of water /minute at the scene of the response.
Most FSS have no portable tanks equal in volume to the tanker truck’s capacity.
Municipalities must adopt procedures and equip firefighters for their maximum protection.
Therefore, municipalities must have an occupational health and safety program and in this regard, they must ensure that their fire safety service is minimally equipped with the following:
Protective clothing maintained and in compliance with the NFPA 1971 Standard on protective ensemble for structural firefighting or an equivalent standard for each firefighter; Four (4) self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) with adjusted air tanks, used and maintained in compliance with CSA Z94.4-02 Selection, Use, and Care of Respirators, or an equivalent standard; A spare air tank for each SCBA, selected, adjusted, used and maintained in accordance with CSA Z94.4-02 Selection, Use, and Care of Respirators, or an equivalent standard;
74 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
A personal distress alarm, maintained and in compliance with the manufacturer’s standards for each SCBA.
In all cases, the complementarity and compatibility of equipment with that of neighbouring municipalities, or municipalities subject to a fire safety agreement, must be taken into account.
Corrective/remedial measures to include in the implementation plan
Action 21: Develop, implement and monitor a replacement, maintenance, acquisition and evaluation program for response equipment, and firefighter protective accessories, including communications devices, in accordance with the applicable manufacturer's standards or requirements.
Action 22: Acquire or replace equipment identified in the table 37.
TABLE 37: EQUIPMENT TO BE ACQUIRED Municipality Accessories for purchase Alleyn-et-Cawood 4 distress alarms, 2 bunker suits Bristol 1 portable tank Bryson 2 distress alarms Campbell’s Bay/ Litchfield 1 portable tank Chichester/Sheenboro 1 bunker suit, 1 class A pump Fort-Coulonge 10 bunker suits Isle-aux-Allumettes 2 class A pumps, 1 portable tank Otter-Lake 2 spare air tanks Portage-du-Fort 2 bunker suits, 1 class A pump Thorne 1 class A pump Waltham 1 distress alarm, 1 portable tank N.B.: If a tanker vehicle is purchased, the municipalities specified in Table 35 will have to purchase a portable water tank in accordance with NFPA requirements.
5.5.4 Water availability
75 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
5.5.4.1 Water supply systems
Requirements
Water supply systems, where present in municipal territory, are the main water supply source available to fire safety services to fight fires in urbanized areas. According to the recommendations put forward in departmental fire safety policy, fire hydrants must be able to supply 1,500 litres of water per minute (1,500 l/min) for at least 30 minutes at a pressure higher than 140 kPa where the risk is rated low.
It is also recommended that the FSS have good knowledge of the water supply system and its capacity in different parts of the territory to ensure that its officers can develop effective response plans.
An up-to-date map of the water supply system, showing the location and diameter of conduits, should be available at all times at the fire station and in each vehicle. It is also vital that the municipality have a program for maintaining and inspecting its water supply system, which must include removal of snow from fire hydrants after a snow storm.
As well, all fire hydrants should be numbered and colour coded to indicate the fire flow available according to the recommendations of the NFPA 291 “Recommended practice for fire flow testing and marking of hydrants.”
Situation overview
The Pontiac MRC has 8 water supply systems serving 10 municipalities. Four systems cover at least 97% of their risks, and 3 of these systems cover at least 90% of the urban area. In addition, 15% of fire hydrants inventoried have insufficient flow of less than 1500 l/min (see following table). The Fort-Coulonge system supplies a portion of the Mansfield-et-Pontefract municipality. The Shawville system supplies a portion of the Clarendon municipality.
Most municipalities have an annual or bi-annual program for checking their water system, but none was able to provide a maintenance log and none had a fire hydrant marking system.
TABLE 38: WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS AND FIRE HYDRANTS
Municipality Fire hydrants
76 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
Number of % Number of hydrants with % risks protected NFPA Maintenance fire flow < 1500 covered urban coding program hydrants l/min perimeter
Bryson 31 15 97 95 No No
Campbell’s Bay 39 13 97 55 No No
Clarendon 1 0 ,05 33 No No
Fort-Coulonge 61 8 99 75 No No Île-du-Grand- 18 2 25 95 No No Calumet Isle-aux- 11 9 4 20 No No Allumettes Otter-Lake 31 0 23 75 No No Mansfield-et- 30 0 15 33 No No Pontefract Portage-du-Fort 21 3 84 90 No No
Shawville 96 0 98 70 No No
5.5.4.2 Water supply points
Requirements
The development of water supply points is an advisable solution for water supply systems that fall short of needs or in areas not serviced by such systems.
In an area that lacks a compliant water supply system, standard NFPA 1142 and departmental guidelines suggest different ways of improving the effectiveness of a response in these areas. Among others, it recommends dispatching the initial strike force with 15,000 litres of water and at least one tanker compliant with the ULC manufacturer’s standard.
The FSS must use a water supply point to refill vehicles assigned to carry water. To do so, end-of-system fire hydrants with a fire flow exceeding 1,500 l/min, lakes, rivers and aquifers or surface water may be used as a water source. Ideally, these sources of water should contain a minimum 30,000 litres of water, remain accessible at all times, and be designed to optimize and facilitate their use.
Similar to the case of fire hydrants, municipalities must ensure that water supply points are located near an urban area and accessible at all times, even in winter. They should also be equipped with a dry water intake to reduce tanker truck filling time.
Situation overview
77 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
The inventory identified 90 water supply points including eight (8) that are already equipped with a dry hydrant. All of these water supply points contain a volume exceeding 30,000 litres and only six (6) are difficult to reach. The table that follows outlines the features of inventoried water supply points.
TABLE 39: WATER SUPPLY POINTS
Municipality Number of water supply points Water Water supply Water supply points supply Dry hydrants points 30,000 with obstructed points litres of water access Alleyn-et-Cawood 6 0 6 0 Bristol 6 0 6 2 Bryson 2 2 2 0 Campbell’s Bay 2 2 1 0 Chichester 2 0 2 0 Clarendon 7 1 7 0 Fort-Coulonge 0 0 0 0 Île-du-Grand-Calumet 4 0 4 3 Lac Nilgaut 0 0 0 0 Isle-aux-Allumettes 9 0 9 0 Litchfield 7 2 7 0 Mansfield-et-Pontefract 11 1 11 0 Otter-Lake 12 0 12 0 Portage-du-Fort 1 0 1 0 Rapide-des-Joachims 5 0 5 1 Shawville 0 0 0 0 Sheenboro 5 0 5 0 Thorne 7 0 7 0 Waltham 5 0 5 0 MRC 91 8 90 6
By Year 2 of the implementation plan, municipalities within the MRC will begin a study on fire hydrant installation at the most reliable water supply points identified, starting in urban areas.
The cover plan development process has helped municipalities realize the importance of the water supply, especially in areas that lack an efficient water supply system. Accordingly, several municipalities have already started developing new water supply points, primarily dry hydrants. Water supply planning inherent in implementation will require a detailed analysis of the relevance of certain existing water supply points during the water transportation drills.
The overview map illustrates coverage protection provided by water supply points. This coverage amounts to a 2-kilometre radius from each water supply point. This 2 km radius reflects a flow of 1,500 litres/minute, calculated on the assumption that the FSS has access to a 1,700 l/min class A pump and, at a minimum, two vehicles assigned to water transport, i.e. two tankers compliant with ULC standards with a tank capacity of 6,800 litres each.
78 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
We should point out that the water supply point study to be performed during the implementation of the cover plan (Action 26 of the Minister’s policy) will help further clarify the water protection coverage shown in the overview map. The size of each radius will gradually be updated with the development of new resource deployment procedures that take account of the water source and equipment used to fill tankers, and the precise number of tankers used. At the end of this activity, the MRC will be in a much better position to accurately determine the size of these radii.
The table that follows outlines estimates of the number of water supply points to be developed during the implementation of the cover plan. The number of dry hydrants installed will have to be reviewed once the analysis is complete.
TABLE 40: ESTIMATED NUMBER OF WATER SUPPLY POINTS TO BE DEVELOPED BY MUNICIPALITY IN COMING YEARS
MUNICIPALITY WATER SUPPLY POINTS TO BE DEVELOPED BY MUNICIPALITY
Alleyn-et-Cawood 6 Bristol 6 Bryson 0 Campbell’s Bay 1 Chichester 2 Clarendon 6 Fort-Coulonge 0 Île-du-Grand-Calumet 4 Lac Nilgaut 0 Isle-aux-Allumettes 9 Litchfield 5 Mansfield-et-Pontefract 11 Otter-Lake 12 Portage-du-Fort 1 Rapide-des-Joachims 5 Shawville 0 Sheenboro 5 Thorne 7 Waltham 5 TOTAL 88
Corrective/remedial measures to include in the implementation plan
79 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
Action 23: Develop, implement and monitor a water supply infrastructure assessment and maintenance program, including pressure and flow checks for fire hydrants, winter preparation and snow removal, and plan for a hydrant marking system based on the NFPA 291 standard.
Action 24: Regularly inform the FSS about water supply problems and provide it with an updated map of systems.
Action 25: Apply remedial measures in areas with an insufficient water supply (flow < 1,500 l/min) or no water supply, such as dispatching two tankers with the initial strike force.
Action 26: In cooperation with the municipalities, the MRC will perform a study in Year 2 of the cover plan's implementation on water supply points and will develop an installation program with consideration for costs, needs and available financial resources in order to determine the number of water supply points needed to maximize water coverage in the territory and facilitate their use or accessibility. Relevant recommendations will be made to the fire safety committee.
Action 27: Develop, implement and monitor a water supply point maintenance and development program to facilitate tanker filling operations and make them accessible at all times based on the recommendations of standard 1142 and, as applicable, suggestions following completion of the water supply point optimization study.
5.5.5 COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS AND RESOURCE DISPATCHING
Response time is defined as the time between ignition and the moment when firefighters deploy the extinguishing agent. This time frame is broken down into three phases. The first is the fire detection time. The second is the time it takes to process and transmit the alarm to a fire safety service. The third is the response time, i.e. the time it takes to mobilize firefighters and travel from the fire station to the location of the fire.
5.5.5.1 Alarm reception and transmission to firefighters
Requirements
The time between receiving an alarm and transmitting it to firefighters sometimes falls under the responsibility of the fire safety service. However, it can be controlled by establishing requirements at emergency call centres under section 52.4 of the Civil Protection Act (R.S.Q., c. S-2.3) which establishes the regulations, standards, specifications and quality requirements that a 911 emergency centre is required to meet, and can also specify the standards, specifications and quality criteria applicable to secondary emergency call centres, except for health communications centres.
80 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
Standard NFPA 1221, Installation Maintenance, and Use of Emergency Services Communications Systems is another reference on this issue for North American emergency response organizations.
Furthermore, each response vehicle must have a mobile radio. An uninterruptable radio connection to the 9-1-1 emergency call centre is a method of communication that offers a number of advantages for response teams. First of all, it ensures a continuous link to the dispatch centre and allows the FSS to gather and verify information concerning the severity and location of the emergency. This communications link also makes it possible to announce the arrival of the strike force at the scene, and measures its speed. In addition, it speeds up the procedure involved in enlisting additional resources if necessary.
When the FSS respond jointly at the scene of the same response operation, it is imperative that their radio communication systems operate on the same frequency to facilitate coordination among personnel from different fire stations. Each officer deployed must have a portable radio, and all firefighters must remain reachable at all times. Lastly, all communications devices should be tested regularly on a weekly basis.
Situation overview
Except for the Rapide-des-Joachims municipality, all Pontiac MRC municipalities are served by the same 9-1-1 station.
This station also delivers the secondary emergency call service (SECS) that deploys most of the strike force by transmitting emergency communications by voice or digital pager.
A call from a resident of Rapide-des-Joachims from a land-based telephone line is automatically forwarded to the centralized emergency call centre (CECC) serving the Renfrew, Ontario region, and this centre provides the secondary emergency call service (SECS) that deploys the Laurentian Hill fire safety service.
The communications equipment used by MRC local fire safety services is not entirely compatible from one service to another, or with sources of outside assistance. Furthermore, some poor communications zones have been identified.
All firefighters can be reached by portable radio or pager by the 9-1-1 centre to respond to a call. These different systems are tested once a week.
The fact that the Pontiac MRC FSS use radios with sometimes incompatible frequencies (VHF, UHF and CB) can detract from emergency operations, especially during mutual assistance requests.
81 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
In the summer of 2009, the MRC and local municipalities commissioned a study by a communications consulting firm to ensure communications coverage throughout local municipalities and that fire safety services are able to communicate with each other. The results of this study were inconclusive. However, the objective of the fire safety committee is to find a solution during implementation of the cover plan for creating an integrated communications system to ensure acceptable communications.
The table that follows outlines the existing characteristics of Pontiac MRC FSS communications systems.
TABLE 41: 9-1-1 EMERGENCY CALL SERVICE AND RADIO COMMUNICATIONS Emergency call service Communications Radio communications identification system Centralized Secondary Radio Municipality # of emergency emergency # of Radio link to link to portable Frequency call service call service pagers CECC outside radios (CECS 9-1-1) (SECS) help Alleyn-et- Dispatcher at Groupe CLR Groupe CLR 10 5 VHF Yes Cawood fire station Dispatcher at Bristol Groupe CLR Groupe CLR 26 2 UHF No fire station Dispatcher at Bryson Groupe CLR Groupe CLR 0 15 VHF No fire station Campbell’s Dispatcher at Groupe CLR Groupe CLR 25 11 UHF No Bay fire station Chichester Groupe CLR Groupe CLR 8 4 VHF Yes Yes Clarendon Groupe CLR Groupe CLR See Shawville Fort-Coulonge Groupe CLR Groupe CLR 25 14 VHF No No Île-du-Grand- Groupe CLR Groupe CLR 12 3 VHF No No Calumet Lac Nilgaut Groupe CLR Groupe CLR No fire safety service Isle-aux- Groupe CLR Groupe CLR 9 14 VHF Yes Yes Allumettes Litchfield Groupe CLR Groupe CLR See Campbell’s Bay Dispatcher at Otter-Lake Groupe CLR Groupe CLR 22 2 UHF Yes fire station Mansfield-et- Groupe CLR Groupe CLR 19 11 UHF Direct Yes Pontefract Portage-du- Groupe CLR Groupe CLR 3 12 VHF No No Fort Rapides-des- Renfrew Renfrew Joachims Dispatcher at Shawville Groupe CLR Groupe CLR 30 9 VHF No fire station Sheenboro Groupe CLR Groupe CLR See Chichester Dispatcher at Thorne Groupe CLR Groupe CLR 19 5 UHF No fire station Dispatcher at Waltham Groupe CLR Groupe CLR 24 8 VHF Yes fire station
5.5.5.2 Dispatching resources
82 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
Requirements
Dispatching resources to the scene of a fire must not be left to chance. Depending on the territory covered, the building in question and the type of fire, the deployment of resources must be planned to maximize the chances of subduing the fire in the shortest possible time with the most appropriate resources.
The resource deployment strategy must account for the specific features of certain areas of the territory covered, and the category of risks encountered. For example, tankers may have to be sent along with pumpers in some areas that have no water distribution system or an insufficient flow. Or it may be advisable to dispatch a hoisting device at the first alarm in order to facilitate roof access or increase the likely success of a rescue operation. In planning operational procedures related to resource deployment, certain constraints that may limit response vehicle movement must also be considered (for example, steep slopes, traffic lights, narrow roads, railway tracks, speed limits, streets of the same name, roads closed for winter and traffic jams).
The DPS has also developed a guide for FSS chiefs entitled, “Guide des opérations à l’intention des services de sécurité incendie” (Operations Guide for Fire Safety Services) to help them establish their respective operatonal procedures.
Situation overview
The Pontiac MRC FSS have not yet developed a strategy for dispatching resources based on the risk category of the building, water supply problems or firefighter availability. Resource deployment by the 9-1-1 centre, except in some cases, does not include transmitting the first alarm to firefighters at several fire stations. The chief responsible for the fire station in the area concerned by the emergency determines or assesses the need to enlist personnel from another municipality’s fire station.
83 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
Corrective/remedial measures to include in the implementation plan
Action 28: Ensure that the services provided by 9-1-1 emergency call centres and the secondary dispatch service are compliant with the Regulation respecting standards, specifications and quality criteria applicable to 9-1-1 emergency centres and to certain secondary emergency call centres.
Action 29: Perform a study to standardize communications devices made available to the FSS and the frequencies used by personnel to improve communications among fire stations in different municipalities.
Action 30: Regularly test portable radios and pagers and ensure that a sufficient number is available.
Action 31: Review and implement procedures to mobilize human and material resources with particular consideration for the risk category and specific features of the territory, based on the Operations Guide.
Action 32: Regularly inform the FSS about the update by municipalities of risk classification in their respective areas.
Action 33: Find a communications solution to create a regionally integrated emergency communications system with communications coverage to the entire area of local municipalities and to correct any poor communications zones identified.
5.5.6 Prevention activities
This subsection deals with existing prevention activities. These activities have been grouped into five broad categories in accordance with the fire safety guidelines of the Minister of Public Safety.
5.5.6.1 Incident assessment and analysis
Requirements
Although prevention is based first and foremost on knowledge of the probability that a fire will break out in a given community, it also depends on an assessment of past incidents in the area. A proper understanding of the conditions that lead to fires makes it possible to establish the most appropriate means of preventing them. Incident analysis consists of looking back over incidents that generally required firefighter intervention in order to identify the most imminent risks and more clearly determine the measures that can help prevent fires.
84 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
Situation overview
MRC municipalities do not have a structured program for analyzing and evaluating incidents, or resources trained to determine the causes and circumstances of fires.
5.5.6.2 Municipal fire safety regulations
Requirements
Regulations are another important aspect of fire prevention. The application of tested safety standards is one of the most effective means of preventing the loss of life and property damage caused by fire. In this regard, all Quebec municipalities already have general powers to adopt a prevention program or regulate a significant range of fire safety related items.
The following list mentions a few of these regulations: use of gas or electricity, installation of smoke detectors, alarm systems, extinguishers or automatic sprinklers, construction, chimney or heating device maintenance and use and, accumulations of combustible materials.
To develop their prevention program, the municipalities should also rely on the National Fire Code (NFC).
Also, until the provisions currently being developed by the Régie du bâtiment du Québec apply to all buildings, the municipalities are asked to rely on Chapter 1 (Building) of the Code de construction du Québec (Quebec Building Code) when they review their construction bylaws insofar as their means allow for categories of buildings not currently covered by Quebec legislation.
Situation overview
Based on the table that follows, 47% of the municipalities have already enacted a bylaw creating a fire safety service, 26% have enacted a bylaw on smoke detectors and 5% have enacted four (4) bylaws (false alarms, pyrotechnics, grass fires and open fires) enforced by Quebec's provincial police (Sûreté du Québec).
With no fire prevention technician (FPT) among their resources, the Pontiac MRC FSS do not play a role in verifying the plans and specifications for new construction.
85 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
TABLE 42: REGULATIONS
Regulations
Municipality
Creation of a fire safety service Smoke detector False alarms Pyrotechnics fires Grass Open fires Alleyn-et-Cawood X X Bristol X X X Bryson X X X X X Campbell’s Bay X Chichester Clarendon X X Fort-Coulonge X X X X X X Île-du-Grand-Calumet X X X Otter-Lake X X Lac Nilgaut Isle-aux-Allumettes Litchfield X X X Mansfield-et-Pontefract X X X Portage-du-Fort Rapides-des-Joachims X Shawville X X X Sheenboro X X Thorne X X Waltham X X
5.5.6.3 Smoke detector verification
Requirements
Smoke detectors and fire detection mechanisms provide a warning to occupants so that they can quickly evacuate a building. The effectiveness of these systems in limiting the impact of fires is now beyond question. For that reason, all Quebec municipalities would be well served by ensuring that every home is eventually protected by a smoke detector and that fire safety service personnel inspect its operation.
Situation overview
At present, some Pontiac MRC municipalities have no bylaws concerning smoke detector verification or identifying the authority responsible for enforcing such a bylaw, and some firefighters have not been trained to perform this task. Therefore, several
86 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
buildings in the Pontiac MRC area may not be equipped with an operating smoke detector.
5.5.6.4 Regular inspection of highest risks
Requirements
The inspection of high and very high risks is an essential complement to municipal bylaws. An appropriate inspection program is also a necessary counterpart to certain public education measures. Such a program gives the fire safety services a better idea of the risks in their territory and facilitates the development of response plans to more effectively manage response activities for these types of higher risks. A fire plan improves the effectiveness of firefighters at the scene of the fire, not only in the case of high risk buildings, but also for buildings located in places with special characteristics. More specifically, such plans specify the features of the buildings in question and the response strategy of emergency services. It also contains information about the potential combustion heat of buildings, construction particulars, hazards related the type of occupancy and the number of people likely present at certain times of the day or year. These response plans also make it possible to adapt drills or training courses to the realities of the fire safety service.
Situation overview
Currently, no higher risk inspection program has been developed by Pontiac MRC FSS. Furthermore, the FSS have no resources among their personnel trained for this type of prevention activity. As well, the Pontiac MRC FSS have not yet developed any response plans.
5.5.6.5 Public awareness
Requirements
This activity includes all operations related to raising public awareness about the issues brought to light by the fire and risk analysis in a given territory. By simply being aware of the main phenomena or behaviour that cause fires, the public can be a powerful prevention lever. For that reason, municipalities and their respective fire safety services are advised to use the activities and tools already available in Quebec. In this way, they can reach young people, students, seniors, farmers and the general public.
Situation overview
The Pontiac MRC FSS do not run any public education programs.
87 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
5.5.7 Financial information
5.5.7.1 Fire expenses
According to data from the 2008 financial report, fire-related spending for the entire Pontiac MRC amounted to $978,316 of a total budget of $17,999,174.00, or 6.7%. Average fire-related expenditures per resident were $66.97.
TABLE 43: FINANCIAL RESOURCES 2000 2008 Municipality Municipal Fire budget Municipal Fire budget budget ($) $ % budget ($) $ % Alleyn-et-Cawood 424,951 5,000 1.1 605,000 34,000 5.6 Bristol 1,010,075 37,518 3.7 1,834,000 36,847 2.0 Bryson 252,983 22,993 9.1 481,000 35,000 7.3 Campbell’s Bay 584,036 22,497 3.9 701,519 32,632 4.7 Chichester 310,275 11,655 3.8 407,928 48,394 11.9 Clarendon 1,268,395 42,918 3.4 1,782,884 106,190 6.0 Fort-Coulonge 999,747 37,319 3.7 1,121,337 50,781 4.5 Île-du-Grand-Calumet 631,601 18,647 3.0 818,000 51,600 6.3 Isle-aux-Allumettes 1,297,113 37,347 2.9 1,929,177 120,456 6.2 Litchfield 826,039 21,275 2.6 934,473 42,400 4.5 Mansfield-et-Pontefract 1,300,000 50,800 3.9 1,806,348 66,154 3,7 Otter-Lake 857,182 21,874 2.6 1,560,000 52,013 3.3 Portage-du-Fort 169,439 11,650 6.9 190,307 21,801 11.5 Rapides-des-Joachims 114,825 3,940 3.4 270,018 8,000 3.0 Shawville 1,410,066 53,816 3.8 1,717,839 73,000 4.2 Sheenboro 282,700 15,024 5.3 492,918 29,048 5,9 Thorne 486,014 20,069 4.1 818,000 120,000 14.7 Waltham 287,090 22,144 7.7 528,426 50,000 9.5 MRC 12,316,116 456,486 3,7 17,999,174 978,316 6.7
88 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
Corrective/remedial measures to include in the implementation plan
Action 34: Develop and implement an incident evaluation and analysis program.
Action 35: Conduct activities to determine the causes and circumstances of fire using resources specifically trained in this field.
Action 36: Complete the fire report (DSI 2003) after each response and submit it to the Department of Public Safety (DPS) within the prescribed time frame, with a copy to the Pontiac MRC.
Action 37: Record each response in a log, draft a report and forward it to the Pontiac MRC each year.
Action 38: Use this report to develop prevention and public awareness activities.
Action 39: The MRC will have to complete a report on their fire safety activities annually as required by section 35 of the Fire Safety Act and forward it to the DPS and municipalities within the prescribed time frame.
Action 40: Complete and apply standardized municipal bylaws providing for mandatory installation of a working smoke detector in all homes and verification of alarm systems by owners, among other things.
Action 41: Develop a prevention program based on the NFC, inspect smoke detector operation in cooperation with firefighters for low and moderate risk locations, and have high and very high risk locations inspected by a qualified fire prevention resource.
Action 42: Develop and implement a program of year-round public awareness activities.
Action 43: Develop and implement a program for drafting response plans for high and very high risk situations based on the NFPA 1620 and, as applicable, train firefighters.
89 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
CHAPTER 6 – PREVENTION AND PROTECTION OBJECTIVES
In accordance with section 10 of the Fire Safety Act, the cover plan specifies for each category of risk inventoried or each portion of the territory specified in it, fire prevention and protection objectives that can be reached through measures and optimization of resources available at the regional level. For each objective set, the cover plan specifies the actions that the regional authority and, as applicable, the municipalities will establish to achieve them.
Establishing fire prevention and protection objectives was a critical step in the fire safety cover plan development process (FSCP). It also represents the outcome of several months of work and thinking among the resources responsible for developing the cover plan, elected municipal officials, the public and the fire safety services (FSS) involved.
This section describes some of the objectives set out in the Orientations du ministre de la Sécurité publique en matière de sécurité incendie and others established by the Pontiac MRC for its territory, as well as the means to be implemented to meet them, whether by the MRC or its constituent municipalities or by the FSS in its territory.
At this stage, it seems appropriate to mention the eight major departmental objectives, since they are the objectives that the Pontiac MRC should endeavour to meet when developing and applying its fire safety cover plan:
° Use preventive approaches and measures (Objective 1);
° Provide for deployment of a strike force capable of mounting an effective response to low risks in urban areas (Objective 2) and an optimum strike force for higher risks (Objective 3);
° Promote the use of suitable self-protection measures to offset response-related deficiencies (Objective 4);
° Deploy an optimum strike force to address other disaster risks (optional Objective 5);
° Maximize the use of resources assigned to fire safety (Objective 6);
° Promote the use of the regional authority in organizing or managing certain fire safety related functions (Objective 7);
° Align resources and other structures allocated to public safety (Objective 8).
90 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
6.1 Objective 1: PREVENTION
6.1.1 Departmental objective
“Given the proven effectiveness of prevention measures in fighting fires, give priority to public and heritage fire protection centred on preventive approaches and measures.”
Prevention, in the various forms shown in the risk management model (shown below) includes the only approaches capable of achieving the ultimate goal of fire safety, i.e. disaster prevention.
Impact reduction – Frequency reduction
INTERVENTION Response time Response personnel Response equipment Water supply
Difference (assumed risk)
91 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
PREVENTION Periodic risk inspection Bylaws Public education Incident analysis
RISK ANALYSIS Specific characteristics and mitigation measures Risk classification Self-protection mechanisms Detection and transmission mechanisms Commentaire [WU5]: Translation of wording within graphic.
Without a doubt, prevention is an effective means of reducing the number of fires and limiting the loss of human life, injuries and property damage.
The best success story is the smoke detector, which cut the number of victims from 179 to 77 between 1970 and 1990 in Quebec.
It is an established fact that prevention is an investment. The indirect losses caused by a fire are estimated to amount to as much as ten times the direct damage. Neglectful or careless behaviour is the cause of 45% of fires in Quebec and 60% of deaths. Therefore, investment in prevention can save lives and significantly limit property losses.
In practical terms, Objective 1 implies that each regional authority can include, in its fire safety cover plan, the design and implementation by local authorities and, as applicable, the regional authority, of fire prevention planning in its respective territory.
At a minimum, such planning must include a program covering the five points described earlier in section 5.5.5 of Chapter 5: incident evaluation and analysis, standardization of municipal bylaws, mandatory smoke alarm installation and checks, inspection of higher risks and public awareness activities.
6.1.2 Objective set by the Pontiac MRC
The Pontiac MRC intends to achieve Objective 1 of the departmental policy. To do so, the following measures will be taken:
° Establish an incident evaluation and analysis program;
° Mount activities designed to determine the causes and circumstances of fires using trained resources;
° Forward a fire report to the DPS after each fire;
92 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
° Draft an annual report of fire safety activities and use it to develop prevention activities;
° Standardize municipal bylaws to include the mandatory installation of smoke alarms and address fire safety issues observed;
° Implement a prevention program that includes checking smoke detectors, inspecting more serious hazards and developing public awareness activities.
Through this prevention program, Pontiac MRC municipalities and FSS in the territory intend to inform and remind owners or tenants about the fire safety rules to follow.
More specifically, the Pontiac MRC has set itself the objective of annual firefighter visits to approximately 20% of residential buildings and apartments (low and moderate hazard) to ensure that every building is inspected at least once every five (5) years. Firefighters will receive basic training to facilitate the smooth operation of this inspection program.
With respect to the inspection of high and very high risk buildings, the Pontiac MRC’s objective is also to ensure that approximately 20% of buildings, except for agricultural buildings, are inspected annually by a qualified fire prevention resource.
The fire safety committee will be empowered to ensure that the percentage of visits and inspections is met annually throughout the MRC, among other things.
It is important to note that the prevention program developed for implementation of the fire safety cover plan and achievement of Objective 1 will take account of response deficiencies. In cooperation with the MRC, municipalities that include areas facing response deficiencies, i.e. areas where the strike force (personnel, response vehicles and equipment and water supply) cannot be achieved, will have to make an additional prevention effort to remedy these shortfalls. Activities such as demonstrations on how to use an extinguisher, a greater number of prevention press releases or more frequent building visits and inspections could be conducted in these areas. Therefore, to offset response deficiencies, the municipalities in question or parts of their territory will be subject to additional prevention measures, or suitable self-protection mechanisms. Objective 4 clarifies this point.
93 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
TABLE 44: FOR INFORMATION: APPROXIMATE NUMBER OF SMOKE DETECTOR CHECK VISITS (LOW AND MODERATE RISK) AND APPROXIMATE NUMBER OF INSPECTION VISITS PER YEAR (HIGH AND VERY HIGH RISK)
Approximate number of building visits per year
Municipality Low Moderate High Very high Total 20 % 20 % 20 % 20 % per year per year per year per year Alleyn-et-Cawood 74 1 1 1 77 Bristol 197 4 29 2 232 Bryson 51 6 1 1 59 Campbell’s Bay 56 10 2 3 71 Chichester 45 1 7 1 54 Clarendon 135 2 48 3 188 Fort-Coulonge 98 10 1 1 110 Île-du-Grand-Calumet 69 3 13 1 86 Isle-aux-Allumettes 213 5 19 2 239 Litchfield 68 2 16 1 87 Mansfield-et-Pontefract 215 10 9 1 235 Otter-Lake 210 4 3 1 218 Portage-du-Fort 28 3 1 1 33 Rapide-des-Joachims 28 2 1 1 32 Shawville 113 16 4 3 136 Sheenboro 64 1 4 1 70 Thorne 124 2 5 1 132 Waltham 72 2 2 1 77 Lac Nilgaut unorganized territory* 188 0 13 1 202 MRC 2,048 84 179 27 2,338 N. B.: % equals the percentage of buildings subject to annual inspection. These data are approximate and could change once an updated classification of risks in the territory has been completed.
* Outfitters, campgrounds, ZECs, private clubs, groups of several cottages in parts of the Lac Nilgaut unorganized territory will also participate in MRC prevention activities by such means as information and awareness mail-outs on fire safety with tax bills. Also, for groupings of important buildings in certain parts of the unorganized territory, the MRC will have to provide a human resource to conduct awareness visits and inspect smoke detector operation approximately once every five years.
A record of follow-up taken concerning these activities will be kept up to date and buildings located in areas subject to response deficiencies will be covered by additional prevention measures. Also, data gathered during these inspections will be used to develop fire plans. These fire plans will be based on the NFPA 1620 “Standard for Pre- Incident Planning” by local resources in cooperation with the qualified fire prevention resource for most high and very high risk buildings, except farm buildings. The Pontiac MRC’s objective is to have all fire plans completed by the last year of the cover plan. Fire plans will also be used during the firefighter training program.
94 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
Farm buildings will all receive special attention when public awareness activities are being developed. More specifically, inspections of this type of building will be limited to generating a list of such buildings, identifying their location on a map, establishing the nearest fire stations and water supply points, and specifying the location of propane tanks where they exist. Partnership with the insurance companies that already inspect this type of building could be developed (sharing of data required between fire safety services and the insurance company or companies).
Firefighters will also receive training on fire extinguishing methods for silos and hay barns based on the relevant document published by the École nationale des pompiers du Québec.
Furthermore, fire history data will be gathered and analyzed in cooperation with municipal authorities to extract the information required to develop annual prevention campaigns or to review and standardize municipal bylaws within the territory.
These data will also be used to draft the annual activity report that the Pontiac MRC will forward to the Department of Public Safety each year pursuant to section 35 of the Fire Safety Act.
These data will also be used to establish performance indicators, especially in order to improve response methods.
The program for developing public awareness activities will provide for a public awareness campaign on a theme to be determined after analyzing incidents in the territory.
A record of follow-up to these activities will also be kept up to date. The program in question should also refer in particular to the fire prevention tools specified below, provided in large part by the Department of Public Safety.
6.1.2.1 “General public” campaign
° Roadway posters on the Fire Prevention Week theme in at least one location in each municipality.
° Wall charts posted in public locations within the municipalities (town hall, community hall, library, etc.).
° Relevant brochures (for example, smoke detector information) handed out during school visits, with the municipal tax notice or in a separate mail-out;
° Radio and television advertising;
95 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
° The new “monthly planner ” prevention tool;
° Bookmarks and placemats also supplied by the MPS.
6.1.2.2 Seniors campaign
° The guide entitled “La prévention des incendies et l’évacuation des résidences hébergeant des personnes âgées” (Fire prevention and evacuation of residences housing seniors);
° The guide on fire safety planning in residential centres for seniors for fire safety services;
° The DVD “Les aînés et les incendies: en parler ça ne fait pas mourir!” (Seniors and fires: talking about it won't kill you!)
6.1.2.3 Youth campaign
° Promotional items for children;
° “Au feu!” episode of the Cornemuse series;
° “Boyaux et Échelles” game;
° The “Toujours prêt” program offered in cooperation with Scouts Québec;
° The “Évacuation d’une école” practical guide.
6.1.2.4 Farm campaign
° Information sessions on farm fires;
° Presence by the insurance sector at these meetings.
6.1.2.5 Other activities
During Fire Prevention Week, children in day care, kindergarten and the first grades of primary school could be given fire prevention tools free of charge to complement the documents described above. Drawing contests could also be organized, for example.
96 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
The FSS, assisted by a qualified fire prevention resource as needed, will plan awareness visits to seniors’ residences given that seniors are especially vulnerable during a fire, and will assist them during a drill.
Isolated residences or residences located far from fire stations will also receive special attention by such means as the promotion of self-protection.
Further along prevention lines and to ensure contact with a younger audience, close participation in school evacuation drills will be planned with school authorities.
Lastly, the municipalities will continue to distribute prevention instructions by mail or local newspapers on the use of wood stoves, chimney sweeping, carbon monoxide detectors, combustible material storage, safe use of cooking devices, verifying and changing batteries in smoke detectors, using portable extinguishers, etc.
6.2 Objectives 2 and 3: RESPONSE
6.2.1 Departmental objectives
Departmental Objective 2 deals with the deployment of a strike force to respond to low risks. It reads as follows:
“Based on existing regional resources, organize fire safety services, plan the organization and delivery of emergency services and provide for response procedures to deploy a strike force capable of mounting an effective response in low risk cases within the urban areas specified in the fire safety cover plan.”
Departmental Objective 3 deals with the deployment of a strike force for higher risk cases (moderate, high and very high). It reads:
“Based on existing resources, organize fire safety services, plan the organization and delivery of emergency services and provide for response procedures in order to deploy an optimum strike force in cases involving other risk categories.”
To the extent that departmental Objective 1 may unsettle the habits of municipal and regional authorities in their prevention planning, Objectives 2 and 3 challenge the habits of firefighters when they respond to a fire.
Departmental Objective 2 is unquestionably the most important for firefighters since it examines all of their work-related activities in detail. In concrete terms, the table that follows provides a summary of strike force requirements for low-risk cases, in reference
97 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
to Objective 2 of the departmental policy dealing with response time, the minimum number of firefighters required, response equipment and water quantities.
TABLE 45: STRIKE FORCE IN LOW-RISK SCENARIOS RESPONSE RESOURCES - 10 firefighters RESPONSE TIME - 1,500 litres/minute of water for 30 minutes - 1 compliant pumper Under 5 minutes Time frame conducive to response effectiveness Between 5 and 10 minutes Time frame conducive to response effectiveness Between 10 and 15 minutes Time frame conducive to response effectiveness Over 15 minutes Time frame detrimental to response effectiveness Source: Departmental fire safety policy
Furthermore, the NFPA 1142 recommends that 15,000 litres of water be hauled with the initial strike force to areas with no water supply system. Firefighters must therefore be able to count on a total volume of 45,000 litres of water when responding to a low-risk situation.
In Quebec, like most places in North America, the main fire safety services apply uniform standards and procedures in their response to low-risk situations, although their approaches sometimes vary significantly when it comes to dispatching responders to a building that entails a higher risk. This relates to observable differences in the risk classification systems used by these organizations, and the methods preferred in various localities to manage this type of risk. After analysis, it appears fairly difficult to determine which standards indicate the methods to apply in these circumstances. With the improvements secured through such planning, municipalities must nevertheless aim to at least deploy an optimum strike force in moderate, high and very high risk cases. The optimum nature of the strike force here implies giving consideration to all resources available regionally and their mobilization as needed according to the requirements outlined above.
Despite the fact that the strike force and response time applicable to higher risks are not specified as they are for low risks (see previous table), it seems entirely normal that resources dispatched to the scene of a fire would be more extensive if the risk is higher, and the tasks involved more numerous and complex, according to the size of the fire.
Response difficulties may also require expertise or specialized equipment, such as a hoist, for example.
In practical terms, Objective 3 requires that municipalities establish the minimal strike force they are capable of deploying and the response time they can achieve under normal circumstances for each of the risk categories concerned (moderate, high and
98 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
very high). Also, in keeping with the spirit of Objective 2 and 3, this strike force should be of optimum size, i.e. determined after considering all resources available regionally.
6.2.1.1 Response time
Response time is the time between receipt of the alarm at the fire safety service and for the full strike force to arrive at the scene of the fire. In the fire safety field, it is generally accepted that a response time of less than ten (10) minutes fosters effective intervention. The objective asks municipalities to consider organizational and operational procedures that contribute to meeting this time frame across most of their territory. Given that the FSS may not always have full-time firefighters or a fire station, and considering the dispersal characteristic of the rural environment and a significant portion of the urban residential inventory in small municipalities, a response time of fifteen (15) minutes can be considered acceptable in these areas to cover low risks in urbanized zones. Firefighter arrival at the scene of a fire within this amount of time would in most cases make it possible to confine the fire to its location of origin.
Furthermore, deployment of an appropriate strike force outside urban areas within a time period exceeding fifteen (15) minutes should not necessarily be considered ineffective or useless.
6.2.1.2 Operational personnel
The strike force consists of personnel assigned to rescue and extinguishing operations. The results of the critical analysis of tasks to be performed at the scene of a fire specify that at least ten (10) personnel are necessary for rescue and firefighting operations in a building rated a low risk according to the classification mentioned earlier.
The objective of any fire safety service should consist of assembling this number of firefighters within the specified time frame needed to conduct an effective response.
Although they should also target this objective by establishing, wherever possible, response methods using ten (10) responders to the first alarm, some isolated municipalities have a population and organization or administrative capacity insufficient to maintain an independent fire safety service, rely on volunteer firefighters or have difficulty in mobilizing such a strike force. In this case, eight (8) firefighters assigned to extinguish a building fire should be considered the minimal personnel contingent for an effective response.
Bear in mind that this contingent (10 or 8 firefighters) applies to a response where a water supply system of sufficient flow is available; it therefore does not include the personnel required in rural areas either to transport water in tankers or for relay pumping.
99 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
Also, where municipalities are short on resources, Objectives 2 and 3 require them, regardless of administrative boundaries, to enlist existing resources in their region when determining the optimum protection offered to their population.
By doing so, they can measure the difference between achieving the proposed objective (ten (10) firefighters) and establishing the conditions they can put in place to prevent fires, particularly to improve their protection level and eventually achieve this objective if possible. However, realistically, in municipalities with a population of fewer than 1,000 residents and where demographic trends suggest a population decrease, it would be almost nonsensical to believe that the situation will improve, especially during daytime hours when most people are working outside the area.
Furthermore, the objective is one to be met in most situations under normal conditions in terms of weather, topography or access to the scene of the fire, the scope of the fire or the availability of response resources. Accordingly, and in agreement with the relevant prescription in the NFPA 1710 “Standard for the Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression, Emergency Medical Operation and Special operations to the public by Career Fire Safety Services,” deployment in 90 % of cases of a strike force allowing for an effective response can be considered acceptable.
6.2.1.3 Required water flow
The full or initial strike force team needs at least 1,500 l/min of water. In urban areas, the water supply should hold for at least 30 minutes. In rural or suburban areas, the NFPA 1142 suggests that the initial strike force have access to at least 15,000 litres for buildings in the low-risk category.
When a fire is still in the growth phase, the officer in charge may also decide to begin extinguishing operations using the water available. To attack inside a building, firefighters must have a water flow of at least 1,150 l/min to supply one attack line and one protection line (allowing the application, respectively, of 400 l/min and 750 l/min).
We should mention that the specified flow rates will not ensure an adequate amount of water for effective fire extinguishing in all buildings at a higher risk. To ensure an adequate response, the flow rate calculation methods recommended in the NFPA 1142 may be used.
6.2.1.4 Response equipment
To apply the amount of water mentioned earlier, a fire safety service must have at least one pumper or pumper-tanker compliant with ULC manufacturing standards. Furthermore, the policy dictates that in areas without a water supply system, at least one tanker compliant with the same standard must also be available.
100 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
6.2.1.5 Resource deployment
To optimize fire protection coverage in the entire Pontiac MRC and be able to reach the strike force criteria described earlier, all MRC municipalities confronting a shortage of human and material resources have agreed to call on one or more neighbouring FSS following the first alarm when a building fire occurs. The municipalities will determine which fire station is best able to respond in certain parts of their territory, even if this measure involves using the FSS in surrounding MRCs.
To do so, the MRC in cooperation with the FSS is responsible for developing standardized resource deployment procedures and for coordinating the implementation of uniform and standard call protocols. The FSS will have to transmit them to the 9-1-1 emergency call centre. All municipalities have agreed to follow and apply these procedures in their respective areas. They have also made provision in their implementation plan to ratify the necessary intermunicipal agreements to reach this objective. Some of these agreements also involve municipalities surrounding the MRC.
Although the Pontiac MRC municipalities agree with the objective of assembling a strike force, at the first alarm, comprising eight fire fighters to extinguish the fire of low and moderate risk fires, some municipalities are not in a position to ensure that this number of firefighters is available at all times, or within a fifteen-minute response time, even after accounting for neighbouring FSS resources. Several factors explain this situation, the main ones being: personnel are few in number and part time, which affects their availability and their mobilization time, estimated at 8 minutes; water problems exist in some municipalities where additional tankers and personnel are therefore required; the limited financial means of the municipalities to offset a shortage of material resources; the travel distances between municipalities, which generates delays, etc.
Therefore, the objective of the Pontiac MRC FSS will be to assemble eight firefighters assigned to fight low and moderate category fires within fifteen to twenty-five minutes inside UA, depending on the response location.
Furthermore, we should mention that the municipalities have also set the objective of ensuring a minimum flow of 1,500 l/min of water for thirty minutes inside urban areas. The planned strike force will also include a minimum initial amount of 15,000 litres of water at the initial alarm in areas that have no water supply system. Accordingly, the resource deployment standards to be developed will have to provide for mobilization of at least one tanker at the first alarm in areas where the water supply system is problematic. In areas with no standard water supply system and when the distance involved allows, at least two tanker trucks will be dispatched to ensure a continuous water supply.
The deployment tables on pages 100 and subsequent pages illustrate the optimal resources to be deployed on the first alarm for the various categories of risk and the various municipal areas. Also, optimized protection coverage is shown in the overview
101 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
map of the cover plan. In particular, it specifies the response time within urban areas from each of the fire stations (including firefighter mobilization time). It also illustrates areas where a water supply of 1,500 l/min is possible using standard fire hydrants or existing or planned water supply points available at all times with the implementation of the cover plan. Water protection coverage is shown in a radius of approximately 2 km (or a 4km diameter) and represents the distance at which the FSS will be able to channel a 1,500 l/min flow of water. This 2km distance was determined on the basis of the two following criteria: o Use of a Class A portable pump to fill the tankers; o Use of two tanker trucks with a minimum tank capacity of 6,800 litres of water. Bear in mind that the study on water supply points to be performed during the implementation of the cover plan will provide additional clarifications concerning the water protection coverage illustrated.
Also, to offset response deficiencies, the municipalities in question or parts of their territory will be subject to additional prevention measures or the installation of suitable self-protection mechanisms. Objective 4 will provide clarification on this point.
6.2.2 Pontiac MRC objectives
The Pontiac MRC intends to achieve Objectives 2 and 3 of the departmental policy.
More specifically, and considering that the FSS do not have full-time firefighters, that some firefighters are absent for work during the day and that its fire stations are sometimes far apart, the Pontiac MRC has set itself the objective of achieving the initial strike force described below:
6.2.2.1 Low and moderate risks (Objective 2)
° Assemble eight (8) firefighters assigned to extinguish the fire within a response time of up to approximately 30 minutes within urban areas, not including personnel assigned to haul water;
° Ensure that a response vehicle (pumper or pumper-tanker) in compliance with ULC standards is available to firefighters at all times and, as needed, one or more tanker trucks conforming to the same standard;
° Ensure water flow of 1,500 l/min for 30 minutes within urban areas;
° Send an initial 15,000 litres of water with the initial strike force at all times for responses in areas where a standard water supply system is not available;
° Provide additional resources at all times when the response involves relay pumping or water transportation using one or more tanker trucks;
102 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
° In areas not serviced by a standard water supply system, deploy two water carriers at the first alarm at all times.
6.2.2.2 High and very high risks (Objective 3)
° Assemble twelve (12) firefighters assigned to extinguish the fire by sending an additional team of four (4) firefighters within a time limit that takes into account the travel distance involved;
° Provide additional resources to supply water if necessary.
To do so, the Pontiac MRC will take all action over the next five (5) years that, once in place, will gradually contribute toward meeting these objectives.
These actions primarily consist of the following:
° Maintain the number of firefighters, provide them with refresher training and monitor their availability;
° Replace certain outdated response vehicles and establish a maintenance and evaluation program for them;
° Gradually replace and/or purchase certain protection equipment, such as individual protective clothing for each firefighter;
° Improve and standardize communications systems;
° Improve water supply infrastructures;
° Review operational resource deployment procedures taking account of risks, travel distances and resource availability.
° Corrective/remedial measures to include in the implementation plan
Action 44: Review resource deployment procedures in order to meet the protection objectives specified in Chapter 6 of the cover plan.
Action 45: Transmit deployment procedures to the 9-1-1 call centre.
Action 46: In cooperation with the municipalities, conduct a study designed to promote the use of self-protection mechanisms and make recommendations to the fire safety committee on amendments to the municipal bylaws; have them enacted and established.
103 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
6.2.3 Optimized protection coverage
For each municipality, the cover plan first refers to the existing protection coverage situation and then the optimized fire safety protection coverage to be gradually achieved with the actions taken during implementation of the cover plan.
For example, data included in the tables for each municipality on the pages that follow reflect the current situation and could change with implementation of the actions included in the cover plan.
6.2.3.1 Municipality of Alleyn-et-Cawood
Existing protection coverage
The Alleyn-et-Cawood municipality has a fire station staffed by 10 firefighters (4 available most of the time), one pumper and one tanker. The area has no water system, but can rely on 6 water supply points with no dry hydrants. The municipality has one urban area (UA1).
At present, only the municipality’s resources are dispatched to the scene of a fire following the first alarm. Resource deployment does not automatically involve the use of personnel from the Otter Lake and Kazabazua fire stations (La Vallée-de-la-Gatineau MRC) with which the municipality has occasional mutual assistance agreements. The fire chief for Alleyn-et-Cawood determines whether to call for reinforcements as needed, based on the scope of the fire.
Optimized protection coverage
With implementation of the actions provided in the cover plan, resource deployment will take account of the risk category, firefighter availability, water supply issues and travel distances.
ALLEYN-ET-CAWOOD
SURROUNDING FSS ALLEYN-ET-CAWOOD FSS KAZABAZUA FSS THORNE FSS (1) OTTER-LAKE FSS RT # Outside # S-SRT # S-SRT # S-SRT UA UA FIREFIGHTER 10 15 15 23 PERSONNEL 25 min. DTWD 55 min. in 4 25 to 55 8 in 4 5 40 min. in AVAILABILITY 20 min. south- min. north/ea west WDE west 4 8 st. 6 8 AVAILABILITY WE 4 8 6 8
104 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
AVAILABILITY Pumper 3,632 Pumper 3,636 Pumper 3405 l litres VEHICLES litres PT 11,365 litres Tanker 6819 l (2) Tanker 9,092 PT 6,819 litres litres #: number of firefighters DTWD: daytime weekday WDE: weekday evening WE: weekend RT: Response time in minutes inside or outside urban areas (UA) S-sRT Station-to-station response time including mobilization time PT: Pumper-tanker N.B.: Information shown in table was gathered in 2010. It may therefore vary at the time of cover plan implementation. Resource deployment protocols will be adjusted accordingly as needed. (1) The Thorne FSS is 9 kilometres from the south-west boundary of Alleyn-et-Cawood but the roads are extremely rugged and winding. (2) The 2 vehicles will be replaced in Year 3 with a pumper tanker
Water supply
The ALLEYN-ET-CAWOOD municipality has one (1) UA in its territory. It does not have a standard water supply system. It has six (6) undeveloped water supply points.
Strike force (low and moderate risks)
According to the above table, the ALLEYN-ET-CAWOOD FSS will have to enlist help at all times from one or more neighbouring fire stations (located closest to the response location) in order to assemble eight firefighters assigned to fire extinguishing operations within a time frame of approximately 25 minutes and up to approximately 55 minutes outside the UA.
Strike force (high and very high risk)
For high and very high risk responses, an additional team of four firefighters will be mobilized at the first alarm (12 firefighters assigned to fire extinguishing operations). The ALLEYN-ET-CAWOOD FSS will have to enlist help at all times from one or more neighbouring fire stations (located closest to the response location) to meet this objective. The time required to reach the strike force level will be approximately 55 minutes depending on the response location.
Material resources
For responses to fires at a building in areas not serviced by a standard water supply system, one standard pumper-tanker and two (2) tankers will be mobilized at the first alarm where distance permits (30 minutes or less).
Firefighters assigned to water supply, relay pumping or transport are not included in the number of firefighters required to reach the strike force level.
The municipality of Alleyn-et-Cawood has therefore decided to implement the following measures:
105 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
Increase its number of firefighters. Enter into automatic assistance agreements at the first alarm of a building fire for all risks with the municipalities of Kazabazua and Otter-Lake. Provide all of its firefighters with a bunker suit. Assess the possibility of developing up to six water supply points at strategic locations.
6.2.3.2 Municipality of Bristol
The municipality of Bristol has one main fire station and one satellite station located 18 kilometres apart with a total of 20 firefighters (8 of them available most of the time), two pumper-tankers and one tanker. It has no water supply system but has 4 water supply points with no dry hydrants and two reservoirs with a capacity exceeding 45,000 litres, including 1 under the main fire station. The municipality has two urban areas (UA2 and UA3).
Currently, only the municipality’s resources are dispatched to the scene of the fire following the initial alarm. Resource deployment does not automatically provide for the use of personnel from fire stations in Shawville/Clarendon and Pontiac (Des Collines de l’Outaouais MRC) with which the municipality has occasional mutual assistance agreements. The Bristol fire safety service chief is the one who decides to call in reinforcements as needed depending on the scope of the response.
Optimized protection coverage
With implementation of the actions provided in the cover plan, resource deployment will take account of the risk category, firefighter availability, water supply issues and travel distances.
BRISTOL (UA2) AND (UA3)
106 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
SURROUNDING FIRE STATIONS BRISTOL FSS BRISTOL FSS SHAWVILLE/ MAIN FIRE STATION SATELLITE FIRE PONTIAC FSS CLARENDON FSS STATION RT # Outsid # S-SRT # S-SRT # S-SRT UA e UA FIREFIGHTER 10 10 23 11 PERSONNEL To the DTWD To the west in 4 25 to 4 To the 6 5 AVAILABILITY 20 east in 25 min. 30 north in WDE min. 30 4 min. 4 30 min. 8 9 AVAILABILITY min. WE 4 4 8 9 AVAILABILITY Pumper 3,632 l PT 11 365 litres PT 13,620 litres PL 2,270 l VEHICLES PT 11,365 litres Tanker 9,092 litres PT 4,540 litres Tanker 13,638 l Tanker 5902 lt
#: number of firefighters DTWD: daytime weekday WDE: weekday evening WE: weekend RT: Response time in minutes inside or outside urban areas (UA) PT Pumper tanker PL: Pumper-ladder S-sRT Station-to-station response time including mobilization time N.B.: Information shown in table was gathered in 2010. It may therefore vary at the time of cover plan implementation. Resource deployment protocols will be adjusted accordingly as needed.
Water supply
The municipality of BRISTOL includes two (2) UA in its territory. The municipality does not have a standard water supply system. It has four (4) undeveloped water supply points and two (2) 45,000-litre capacity tanks.
Strike force (low and moderate risk)
According to the table above, the BRISTOL FSS will have to enlist help at all times from one or more neighbouring fire stations (located closest to the response location) to assemble within its UA 8 firefighters assigned to fire extinguishing operations within approximately 30 minutes and within approximately 35 minutes outside the UA.
Strike force (high and very high risk)
For high and very high risk responses, an additional team of 4 firefighters will be mobilized at the first alarm (12 firefighters assigned to fire extinguishing operations). The BRISTOL FSS will have to enlist help at all times from one or more neighbouring fire stations (located closest to the response location) to meet this objective. The time required to reach the strike force level will be approximately 35 minutes depending on the response location.
Material resources
107 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
For responses to fires at a building in areas not serviced by a standard water supply system, one standard pumper-tanker and at least two (2) tankers will be mobilized at the first alarm.
Firefighters assigned to water supply, relay pumping or transport are not included in the number of firefighters required to reach the strike force level.
The municipality of Bristol has therefore decided to implement the following measures:
Enter into an automatic assistance agreement at the first alarm of a building fire with the Shawville / Clarendon fire safety service to send a tanker truck for its two urban areas; Modify the drainage valve on the pumper-tanker and tanker to obtain the required minimal flow; Evaluate the possibility of developing up to 5 water supply points at strategic locations and equip the tank under the main fire station with a dry hydrant.
6.2.3.3 Municipality of Bryson
The municipality of Bryson can rely on a fire station staffed by 11 firefighters (4 available most of the time) and one pumper. Bryson also has a water supply system. However, one-half of the fire hydrants (15/30) do not meet the required criteria for fires at buildings in the low risk category. The municipality has 2 water supply points equipped with dry hydrants to facilitate filling of water transport trucks. The municipality has one urban area (UA4).
Currently, the resources of the municipality and of Île-du-Grand-Calumet are dispatched to the scene of the fire upon receipt of the first alarm. Resource deployment automatically enlists personnel from the Île-du-Grand-Calumet fire station and, as needed, the Campbell’s Bay fire station under an occasional mutual assistance agreement. The Bryson fire safety service chief is the one who decides to call in reinforcements as needed depending on the scope of the response.
Optimized protection coverage
With implementation of the actions provided for in the cover plan, resource deployment will take account of the risk category, firefighter availability, water supply issues and travel distances.
BRYSON (UA4) SURROUNDING FSS BRYSON FSS ÎLE-DU-GRAND- CAMPBELL’S BAY/ SHAWVILLE/
108 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
CALUMET FSS LITCHFIELD FSS CLARENDON FSS RT # Outside # S-SRT # S-SRT # S-SRT UA UA FIREFIGHTER 11 11 25 23 PERSONNEL DTWD To north 4 5 To north 8 6 To south- AVAILABILITY 15 in 20 20 min. in 15 east in 20 WDE min. min. or 4 5 min. 8 8 min. AVAILABILITY less WE 4 5 8 8 AVAILABILITY Pumper 3,814 l Pumper 3,632 l PT 6,819 litres PT 6,819 litres PL 2,270 l VEHICLES Pumper 2,270 litres (1) Tanker 8,172 l Tanker 13,638 l PL 2,270 l Tanker 5,902 l #: number of firefighters DTWD: daytime weekday WDE: weekday evening WE: weekend RT: Response time in minutes inside or outside urban areas (UA) S-sRT Station-to-station response time including mobilization PT: pumper-tanker PL: Pumper-ladder N.B.: Information shown in table was gathered in 2010. It may therefore vary at the time of cover plan implementation. Resource deployment protocols will be adjusted accordingly as needed. (1) Vehicle to be replaced in Year 3 by a pumper-tanker
Water supply
The municipality of BRYSON has (1) one UA. A standard water supply system services 95% of the UA. It has two (2) developed water supply points.
Strike force (low and moderate risk)
According to the table above, the BRYSON FSS will have to enlist help at all times from one or more neighbouring fire stations (located closest to the response location) in order to assemble in its UA 8 firefighters assigned to fire extinguishing operations within approximately 20 minutes and within approximately 20 minutes outside the UA.
Strike force (high and very high risk)
For high and very high risk responses, an additional team of 4 firefighters will be mobilized at the first alarm (12 firefighters assigned to fire extinguishing operations). The BRYSON FSS will have to enlist help at all times from one or more neighbouring fire stations (located closest to the response location) to meet this objective. The time required to reach the strike force level will be approximately 20 minutes depending on the response location.
Material resources
For responses involving building fires in areas equipped with a standard water supply system, a standard pumper will be mobilized at the first alarm.
109 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
For responses to fires at a building in areas not serviced by a standard water supply system, a standard pumper and at least two (2) tankers will be mobilized at the first alarm.
Firefighters assigned to water supply, relay pumping or transport are not included in the number of firefighters required to reach the strike force level.
The municipality of Bryson has therefore decided to implement the following measures:
Increase its number of firefighters; Enter into or maintain automatic assistance agreements at the first alarm of a building fire for all risk levels with l’Île-du-Grand-Calumet and Campbell’s Bay.
6.2.3.4 Municipality of Campbell’s Bay
The municipality of Campbell’s Bay is protected by the Campbell’s Bay/Litchfield FSS and can rely on a fire station staffed by 25 firefighters (including 8 available most of the time), one pumper, one pumper-tanker, one tanker and one pumper ladder. Campbell’s Bay also has a water supply system. However, one-third (13/39) of its fire hydrants do not meet the required criteria for fires at buildings in the low risk category. The municipality has two water supply points equipped with a dry hydrant. The municipality has one urban area (UA5).
Currently, only the municipality’s resources are dispatched to the scene of a fire following the initial alarm. Resource deployment does not automatically provide for the use of personnel from fire stations in Bryson, Mansfield-et-Pontefract and Thorne with which the municipality has occasional mutual assistance agreements. The Campbell’s Bay/Litchfield fire safety service chief is the one who decides to call in reinforcements as needed depending on the scope of the response.
Optimized protection coverage
With implementation of the actions provided for in the cover plan, resource deployment will take account of the risk category, firefighter availability, water supply issues and travel distances.
CAMPBELL’S BAY SURROUNDING FSS CAMPBELL’S BAY/LITCHFIELD FSS SHAWVILLE/CLARE ÏLE-DU-GRAND- BRYSON FSS NDON FSS CALUMET FSS RT # Outside # S-SRT # S-SRT # S-SRT UA UA FIREFIGHTER To the To the To the 25 15 15 to 20 11 23 11 PERSONNEL south in south- south- min. min. DTWD 8 4 20 min. 6 east in 5 west in
110 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
AVAILABILITY 25 20 min. WDE min. 8 4 8 5 AVAILABILITY WE 8 4 8 5 AVAILABILITY Pumper 3,814 litres Pumper 3,632 l PT 6,819 litres Pumper PL 2,270 l VEHICLES PT 6,819 l (1) Tanker 8,172 litres 2,270 litres Tanker 13,638 l PL 2,270 litres Tanker 2,902 l #: Number of firefighters DTWD: daytime weekday WDE: weekday evening WE: weekend RT: Response time in minutes inside or outside urban areas (UA) (PT) Pumper tanker (PL) Pumper ladder S-sRT Station-to-station response time including mobilization N.B.: Information shown in table was gathered in 2010. It may therefore vary at the time of cover plan implementation. Resource deployment protocols will be adjusted accordingly as needed. (1) Vehicle to be replaced in Year 3 by a pumper-tanker
Water supply
The municipality of CAMPBELL’S BAY has (1) one UA. The UA is covered up to 55 % by a standard water supply system. It has two (2) developed water supply points.
Strike force (low and moderate risk)
According to the table above, the Campbell’s Bay/Litchfield FSS will be able at all times to assemble in its UA 8 firefighters assigned to fire extinguishing operations within approximately 15 minutes and within approximately 25 minutes outside the UA.
Strike force (high and very high risk)
For high and very high risk responses, an additional team of 4 firefighters will be mobilized at the first alarm (12 firefighters assigned to fire extinguishing operations). The Campbell’s Bay/Litchfield FSS will have to enlist help at all times from one or more neighbouring fire stations (located closest to the response location) to meet this objective. The time required to reach the strike force level will be approximately 25 minutes depending on the response location.
Material resources
For responses involving building fires in areas equipped with a standard water supply system, a standard pumper will be mobilized at the first alarm.
For responses to fires at buildings in areas not serviced by a standard water supply system, a standard pumper and at least two (2) tankers will be mobilized at the first alarm.
111 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
Firefighters assigned to water supply, relay pumping or transport are not included in the number of firefighters required to reach the strike force level.
The municipality of Campbell’s Bay has therefore decided to implement the following measures:
Enter agreements with the Bryson, Shawville/Clarendon and l’Île-du-Grand- Calumet FSS, depending on the response location, at the first alarm for all types of risk to obtain additional personnel and avoid water supply interruptions during responses; Evaluate the possibility of installing a dry hydrant at a strategic location.
6.2.3.5 Municipality of Chichester
The municipality of Chichester is protected by the Chichester/Sheenboro FSS and can rely on a fire station staffed by 15 firefighters (including 6 available most of the time), one pumper and one tanker. It has no water supply system but has 2 water supply points with no hydrants. The municipality has two urban areas (UA6 and UA7).
Currently, only the municipality’s resources are dispatched to the scene of the fire following the initial alarm. Resource deployment does not automatically provide for the use of personnel from fire stations in Isle-aux-Allumettes and Waltham with which the municipality has occasional mutual assistance agreements. The Chichester/Sheenboro fire safety service chief is the one who decides to call in reinforcements as needed depending on the scope of the response.
Optimized protection coverage
With implementation of the actions provided for in the cover plan, resource deployment will take account of the risk category, firefighter availability, water supply issues and travel distances.
CHICHESTER (UA6)
SURROUNDING FSS ISLES-AUX-ALLUMETTES CHICHESTER/SHEENBORO FSS FSS WALTHAM FSS (MAIN FIRE STATION) RT # Outside # S-SRT # S-SRT UA UA FIREFIGHTER 15 10 To the south- 23 PERSONNEL 15 15 to 30 To the east in east in DTWD min. min. 30 min. 6 3 15 min. 8 AVAILABILITY
112 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
WDE 6 4 8 AVAILABILITY WE 6 4 8 AVAILABILITY Pumper 3,632 litres Pumper 2,270 l Pumper 3,178 l VEHICLES Tanker 6,819 l (1) Tanker 11,365 litres Tanker 9,988 litres
CHICHESTER (UA7)
SURROUNDING FSS CHICHESTER/SHEENBORO FSS ISLES-AUX- WALTHAM FSS ALLUMETTES FSS RT # Outside # S-SRT # S-SRT UA UA FIREFIGHTER 15 10 23 PERSONNEL DTWD To the 6 15 15 to 30 3 8 To the east in AVAILABILITY south in min. min. 25 min. WDE 10 min. 6 4 8 AVAILABILITY WE AVAILABILITY 6 4 8 Pumper 3,632 litres Pumper 2,270 l Pumper 3,178 l VEHICLES Tanker 6,819 l (1) Tanker 11,365 litres Tanker 9,988 litres
#: number of firefighters DTWD: daytime weekday WDE: weekday evening WE: weekend RT: Response time in minutes inside or outside urban areas (UA) S-sRT Station-to-station response time including mobilization PT: Pumper-tanker N.B.: Information shown in table was gathered in 2010. It may therefore vary at the time of cover plan implementation. Resource deployment protocols will be adjusted accordingly as needed. (1) Vehicle to be replaced in Year 3 by a pumper-tanker
Water supply
The municipality of CHICHESTER includes two (2) UA in its territory. The municipality does not have a standard water supply system. It has two (2) undeveloped water supply points.
113 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
Strike force (low and moderate risk)
According to the table above, the Chichester/Shennboro FSS will have to enlist help at all times from one or more neighbouring fire stations (located closest to the response location) to assemble within its UA 8 firefighters assigned to fire extinguishing operations within approximately 15 minutes and within approximately 30 minutes outside UA.
Strike force (high and very high risk)
For high and very high risk responses, an additional team of 4 firefighters will be mobilized at the first alarm (12 firefighters assigned to fire extinguishing operations). The CHICHESTER/SHENNBORO FSS will have to enlist help at all times from one or more neighbouring fire stations (located closest to the response location) to meet this objective. The time required to reach the strike force level will be approximately 30 minutes depending on the response location.
Material resources
For responses to fires at a building in areas not serviced by a standard water supply system, one standard pumper-tanker and at least two (2) tankers will be mobilized at the first alarm.
Firefighters assigned to water supply, relay pumping or transport are not included in the number of firefighters required to reach the strike force level.
The municipality of Chichester has therefore decided to implement the following measures:
Enter into an automatic assistance agreement at the first alarm of a building of low or moderate risk with the Isle-aux-Allumettes fire safety service and the Waltham FSS for higher risks; Evaluate the possibility of installing up to two dry hydrants at strategic locations; Provide all firefighters with a bunker suit; Increase the number of firefighters in the municipality; In partnership with the Municipality of Sheenboro, purchase a pumper-tanker that meets ULC standards for the Chichester/Sheenboro FSS.
6.2.3.6 Municipality of Clarendon
The municipality of Clarendon is protected by the Clarendon/Shawville FSS and can rely on a fire station staffed by 23 firefighters (including 6 to 8 available most of the time), one pumper, two tankers and one pumper ladder. There is only one fire hydrant connected to the Shawville water supply system in the Clarendon area that can supply
114 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
1,500 litres of water/minute. It also has 7 water supply points including one equipped with a dry hydrant. The municipality has one urban area (UA8).
Currently, resources from the municipality and the Campbell’s/Litchfield FSS are dispatched to the scene of the fire upon receipt of the first alarm. Resource deployment does not automatically provide for the use of personnel from fire stations in Bristol and Thorne, with which the municipality has occasional mutual assistance agreements. The Clarendon/Shawville fire safety service chief is the one who decides to call in reinforcements as needed depending on the scope of the response.
Optimized protection coverage
With implementation of the actions provided for in the cover plan, resource deployment will take account of the risk category, firefighter availability, water supply issues and travel distances.
CLARENDON (UA8)
SURROUNDING FSS THORNE BRISTOL PORTAGE- CAMPBELL’S CLARENDON/SHAWVILLE FSS (MAIN DU-FORT BRYSON BAY/LITCHFIELD FIRE FSS STATION) RT # S- # S- # S- S- # Outside # # S-SRT SRT SRT SRT UA SRT UA FIREFIGHTER 15 10 9 23 25 PERSONNEL 11 To To To To DTWD the 4 4 the 4 the 6 4 8 To the the AVAILABILITY 15 west east south 40 min. west in north WDE min. in 6 4 in 4 west 8 4 8 25 min. in 30 AVAILABILITY 20 25 in 25 min. WE min. 6 4 min. 4 min. 8 4 8 AVAILABILITY Pumper 3,814 Pumper A-C Pumper Pumper l 3,632 l 11,365 l 2,270 l 3,632 l Pumper PT 6,819 l Tanker Tanker VEHICLES Tanker 13,638 litres 2 270 Tanker 8,172 9,092 l 9,092 l Tanker 5,902 litres litres PL 2,270 litres PL 22,70 l
#: number of firefighters DTWD: daytime weekday WDE: weekday evening WE: weekend RT: Response time in minutes inside or outside urban areas (UA) PT: Pumper tanker PL Pumper ladder S-sRT Station-to-station response time including mobilization N.B.: Information shown in table was gathered in 2010. It may therefore vary at the time of cover plan implementation. Resource deployment protocols will be adjusted accordingly as needed.
Water supply
115 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
The municipality of CLARENDON HAS (1) one UA. The UA is covered up to 33 % by a fire hydrant connected to the Shawville water supply system. The municipality also has seven (7) water supply points including one that is developed.
Strike force (low and moderate risk)
According to the table above, the CLARENDON/SHAWVILLE FSS must call on one or more neighbouring fire stations during daytime hours on weekdays (located closest to the response location) in order to assemble in its UA 8 firefighters assigned to fire extinguishing operations within approximately 30 minutes and within approximately 30 minutes outside the UA.
Strike force (high and very high risk)
For high and very high risk responses, an additional team of 4 firefighters will be mobilized at the first alarm (12 firefighters assigned to fire extinguishing operations). The CLARENDON/SHAWVILLE FSS will have to enlist help at all times from one or more neighbouring fire stations (located closest to the response location) to meet this objective. The time required to reach the strike force level will be approximately 30 minutes depending on the response location.
Material resources
For responses to fires at a building in areas not serviced by a standard water supply system, one standard pumper-tanker and at least two (2) tankers will be mobilized at the first alarm.
Firefighters assigned to water supply, relay pumping or transport are not included in the number of firefighters required to reach the strike force level.
The municipality of Clarendon has therefore decided to implement the following measures:
Establish automatic assistance agreements at the first alarm with Bryson for low and moderate risk buildings and with Campbell’s Bay/Litchfield, Thorne, Bristol and Portage-du-Fort depending on the response location for high and very high risk buildings according to the area in question; Evaluate the possibility of installing up to six dry fire hydrants at strategic locations.
6.2.3.7 Municipality of Fort-Coulonge
The municipality of Fort-Coulonge can rely on a fire station staffed by 25 firefighters (including 3 to 8 available most of the time) and one pumper. The municipality has one
116 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
water system with fire hydrants most of which (53/61) are capable of delivering more than 1500 litres/minute. It has no water supply points in its territory. The municipality has one urban area (UA9).
Currently, only the municipality’s resources are dispatched to the scene of the fire following the initial alarm. Resource deployment does not automatically provide for the use of personnel from the Mansfield-et-Pontefract fire station, with which it has an occasional mutual assistance agreement. The Fort-Coulonge fire safety service chief is the one who decides to call in reinforcements as needed depending on the scope of the response.
Optimized protection coverage
With implementation of the actions provided for in the cover plan, resource deployment will take account of the risk category, firefighter availability, water supply issues and travel distances.
FORT-COULONGE (UA9)
SURROUNDING FSS FORT-COULONGE FSS MANSFIELD-ET- CAMPBELL’S PONTEFRACT BAY/LITCHFIELD FSS RT # Outside # S-SRT # S-SRT UA UA FIREFIGHTER 25 27 25 PERSONNEL DTWD To the 3 15 min. 5 8 To the AVAILABILITY north in 15 min. to 20 south-east WDE 15 min. 8 min 8 8 in 25 min. AVAILABILITY or less WE 8 8 8 AVAILABILITY Pumper 3,814 l PT 8,182 litres Pumper 3,770 litres PT 6,819 litres VEHICLES Tanker 6,819 l (1) Tanker 8,172 litres
PL 2,270 l #: number of firefighters DTWD: daytime weekday WDE: weekday evening WE: weekend RT: Response time in minutes inside or outside urban areas (UA) PT Pumper tanker S-sRT Station-to-station response time including mobilization N.B.: Information shown in table was gathered in 2010. It may therefore vary at the time of cover plan implementation. Resource deployment protocols will be adjusted accordingly as needed. (1) Vehicle to be replaced in Year 3 by a pumper-tanker
Water supply
117 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
The municipality of FORT-COULONGE has one (1) UA. The UA is covered up to 75 % by a standard water supply system. The municipality has no water supply points.
Strike force (low and moderate risk)
According to the table above, the Fort-Coulonge FSS will have to call on one or more neighbouring fire stations during daytime hours on weekdays (located closest to the response location) in order to assemble in its UA 8 firefighters assigned to fire extinguishing operations within approximately 25 minutes and within approximately 25 minutes outside the UA.
Strike force (high and very high risk)
For high and very high risk responses, an additional team of 4 firefighters will be mobilized at the first alarm (12 firefighters assigned to fire extinguishing operations). The FORT-COULONGE FSS will have to enlist help at all times from one or more neighbouring fire stations (located closest to the response location) to meet this objective. The time required to reach the strike force level will be approximately 25 minutes depending on the response location.
Material resources
For responses involving building fires in areas equipped with a standard water supply system, a standard pumper will be mobilized at the first alarm.
For responses to fires at a building in areas not serviced by a standard water supply system, a standard pumper and at least two (2) tankers will be mobilized at the first alarm.
Firefighters assigned to water supply, relay pumping or transport are not included in the number of firefighters required to reach the strike force level.
The municipality of Fort-Coulonge has therefore decided to implement the following measures:
Enter into automatic assistance agreements at the first alarm of a building fire of any risk level with Mansfield-et-Pontefract for low and moderate risk buildings and Campbell’s Bay/Litchfield for higher risks; Equip all firefighters with a bunker suit.
Corrective/remedial measures to include in the implementation plan
Action 47: Evaluate the advantages of pooling resources with a neighbouring FSS given its proximity.
118 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
6.2.3.8 Municipality of Île-du-Grand-Calumet
The municipality of Île-du-Grand-Calumet can rely on a fire station staffed by 11 firefighters (including 5 available most of the time) and one pumper tanker. The municipality has a water system with fire hydrants most of which (16/18) are capable of delivering more than 1,500 litres/minute. It can also count on 4 water supply points. The municipality has an urban area (UA10).
Currently, the resources of the municipality and of Île-du-Grand-Calumet and Bryson are dispatched to the scene of the fire upon receipt of the first alarm. Resource deployment does not automatically provide for the use of personnel from the Campbell’s Bay/Litchfield fire station, with which the municipality has an occasional mutual assistance agreement. The Île-du-Grand-Calumet fire safety service chief is the one who decides to call in reinforcements as needed depending on the scope of the response.
Optimized protection coverage
With implementation of the actions provided for in the cover plan, resource deployment will take account of the risk category, firefighter availability, water supply issues and travel distances.
ÎLE-DU-GRAND-CALUMET (UA10)
SURROUNDING FSS ÎLE-DU-GRAND-CALUMET FSS CAMPBELL’S BAY/LITCHFIELD BRYSON FSS RT # Outside # S-SRT # S-SRT UA UA FIREFIGHTER 11 11 25 PERSONNEL DTWD 5 4 To the south 8 To the north-east AVAILABILITY 15 to 30 15 min. in in WDE min. 5 4 15 min. 8 20 min. AVAILABILITY WE 5 4 8 AVAILABILITY Pumper 3,814 l PT 6,819 litres VEHICLES PT 6,819 l (1) Pumper 2,270 litres Tanker 8,172 litres PL 2,270 l #: number of firefighters DTWD: daytime weekday WDE: weekday evening WE: weekend RT: Response time in minutes inside or outside urban areas (UA)
119 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
PT Pumper tanker S-sRT Station-to-station response time including mobilization N.B.: Information shown in table was gathered in 2010. It may therefore vary at the time of cover plan implementation. Resource deployment protocols will be adjusted accordingly as needed. (1) Vehicle to be replaced in Year 3 by a pumper-tanker
Water supply
The municipality of ÎLE-DU-GRAND-CALUMET has one (1) UA. A standard water supply system services 95% of the UA. It has two (4) undeveloped water supply points. Commentaire [BC6]: The discrepancy in the numbers (i.e. two (4)) appears in the source-text and requires client verification. Strike force (low and moderate risk)
According to the table above, the ÎLE-DU-GRAND-CALUMET FSS will have to enlist help at all times from one or more neighbouring fire stations (located closest to the response location) in order to assemble in its UA 8 firefighters assigned to fire extinguishing operations within approximately 20 minutes and within approximately 30 minutes outside the UA.
Strike force (high and very high risk)
For high and very high risk responses, an additional team of 4 firefighters will be mobilized at the first alarm (12 firefighters assigned to fire extinguishing operations). The ÎLE-DU-GRAND-CALUMET FSS will have to enlist help at all times from one or more neighbouring fire stations (located closest to the response location) to meet this objective. The time required to reach the strike force level will be approximately 30 minutes depending on the response location.
Material resources
For responses to building fires in areas equipped with a standard water supply system, one standard pumper-tanker will be mobilized at the first alarm.
For responses to fires at a building in areas not serviced by a standard water supply system, one standard pumper-tanker and at least two (2) tankers will be mobilized at the first alarm.
Firefighters assigned to water supply, relay pumping or transport are not included in the number of firefighters required to reach the strike force level.
The municipality of Île-du-Grand-Calumet has therefore decided to implement the following measures:
Enter into or maintain an automatic assistance agreement at the first alarm of a building fire with the Bryson and Campbell’s Bay / Litchfield fire safety services for all types of risk; Increase the number of firefighters in the municipality;
120 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
Evaluate the possibility of installing up to four dry fire hydrants at strategic locations; Modify the drainage valve on the pumper-tanker to achieve the required minimal flow given that a new pumper-tanker acquisition is not planned until Year 3 of implementation; Alone or in partnership, purchase one pumper-tanker that meets ULC standards.
6.2.3.9 Municipality of Isle-aux-Allumettes
The municipality of Isle-aux-Allumettes has one main fire station and one satellite station with 19 firefighters including 6 to 8 available most of the time. The municipality has three urban areas (UA11, UA12 and UA13). The main fire station located in UA11 is equipped with one pumper and one tanker while the satellite fire station in UA12 has one pumper-tanker and one tanker. The municipality has a water system with fire hydrants in one of its urban areas (UA11) including 2 hydrants (2/11) capable of delivering more than 1,500 litres/minute. It can also count on 9 undeveloped water supply points with dry hydrants.
Currently, only resources from the municipality of Isle-aux-Allumettes are dispatched to the scene of the fire upon receipt of the first alarm. Resource deployment does not automatically provide for the use of personnel from the Chichester/Sheenboro and Waltham fire station with which the municipality has an occasional mutual assistance agreement. The Isle-aux-Allumettes fire safety service chief is the one who decides to call in reinforcements as needed depending on the scope of the response.
Optimized protection coverage
With implementation of the actions provided for in the cover plan, resource deployment will take account of the risk category, firefighter availability, water supply issues and travel distances.
ISLE-AUX-ALLUMETTES (UA11) SURROUNDING FSS ISLE-AUX- ALLUMETTES CHICHESTER/ ISLE-AUX-ALLUMETTES FSS FSS SHEENBORO WALTHAM FSS (MAIN FIRE STATION) (SATELLITE FSS STATION) RT # S-SRT S- # Outside # S-SRT # UA SRT UA FIREFIGHTER To the To 10 9 15 23 To the east PERSONNEL 15 20 to 30 south- the in DTWD min. min. east north 3 3 6 8 25 min. AVAILABILITY in 25 in
121 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
WDE min. 15 4 4 6 8 AVAILABILITY min WE 4 4 6 8 AVAILABILITY Pumper Pumper 3,178 l PT 6,819 Pumper 2,270 litres 3,632 l Tanker 9,988 litres litres VEHICLES Tanker 11,365 litres Tanker Tanker 4,540 Tanker 4,540 litres 6,819 l (1) litres
ISLE-AUX-ALLUMETTES (UA12) SURROUNDING FSS ISLE-AUX- CHICHESTER/ ISLE-AUX-ALLUMETTES ALLUMETTES FSS SHEENBORO WALTHAM FSS (SATELLITE STATION) FSS (MAIN STATION) FSS RT # S-SRT # Outsid # S-SRT # S-SRT UA e UA FIREFIGHTER 9 10 15 23 PERSONNEL To the DTWD To the To the 3 20 to 3 6 north- 8 AVAILABILITY 20 north- north- 30 west in WDE min. west in east in 4 min. 4 6 30 8 AVAILABILITY 25 min. 20 min. min. WE 4 4 6 8 AVAILABILITY Pumper 3,632 Pumper 2,270 l PT 6,819 litres litres Pumper 3,178 l VEHICLES Tanker 11,365 l Tanker 4,540 litres Tanker 6,819 l Tanker 9,988 litres
(1)
ISLE-AUX-ALLUMETTES (UA13)
122 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
SURROUNDING FSS ISLE-AUX- ISLE-AUX-ALLUMETTES FSS CHICHESTER/ ALLUMETTES FSS WALTHAM FSS (MAIN FIRE STATION) SHEENBORO FSS (SATELLITE STATION) RT # Outsid # RT # S-SRT # S-SRT UA e UA FIREFIGHTER 10 9 15 23 PERSONNEL To To the DTWD the 3 20 to 3 To the 6 8 north- AVAILABILITY 20 north 30 east in east in WDE min. in 4 min. 4 20 min. 6 8 25 AVAILABILITY 25 min. WE min. 4 4 6 8 AVAILABILITY Pumper 3,632 l Pumper 2,270 litres PT 6,819 litres Tanker 6,819 l Pumper 3,178 l VEHICLES Tanker 11,365 litres Tanker 4,540 litres (1) Tanker 9,988 litres
#: number of firefighters DTWD: daytime weekday WDE: weekday evening WE: weekend RT: Response time in minutes inside or outside urban areas (UA) PT Pumper tanker S-sRT Station-to-station response time including mobilization N.B.: Information shown in table was gathered in 2010. It may therefore vary at the time of cover plan implementation. Resource deployment protocols will be adjusted accordingly as needed. (1) Vehicle to be replaced in Year 3 by a pumper-tanker
Water supply
The municipality of ISLE AUX ALLUMETTES has (3) three UA in its territory. One is covered 20 % by a standard water supply system. It has nine (9) undeveloped water supply points.
Strike force (low and moderate risk)
According to the above tables, the ISLE AUX ALLUMETTES FSS will have to enlist help at all times from one or more neighbouring fire stations (located closest to the response location) to assemble within its UA 8 firefighters assigned to fire extinguishing operations within approximately 30 minutes and within approximately 30 minutes outside the UA.
Strike force (high and very high risk)
For high and very high risk responses, an additional team of 4 firefighters will be mobilized at the first alarm (12 firefighters assigned to fire extinguishing operations). The ISLE AUX ALLUMETTES FSS will have to enlist help at all times from one or more neighbouring fire stations (located closest to the response location) to meet this objective. The time required to reach the strike force level will be approximately 30 minutes depending on the response location.
123 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
Material resources
For responses involving building fires in areas equipped with a standard water supply system, a standard pumper will be mobilized at the first alarm.
For responses to fires at a building in areas not serviced by a standard water supply system, a standard pumper and at least two (2) tankers will be mobilized at the first alarm.
Firefighters assigned to water supply, relay pumping or transport are not included in the number of firefighters required to reach the strike force level.
The municipality of Isle-aux-Allumettes has therefore decided to implement the following measures:
Enter into an automatic assistance agreement at the first alarm for daytime hours concerning additional personnel and at all times in areas outside the standard water supply system for water transportation with the fire safety services of Chichester/Sheenboro and Waltham; Change the tanker truck and pumper-tanker drainage value to obtain the required minimal flow; Evaluate the possibility of installing up to nine dry fire hydrants at strategic locations.
6.2.3.10 Lac Nilgaut unorganized territory
Given the vastness of the territory, roadways that are often inaccessible to heavy vehicles and limited road maintenance, the Lac Nilgaut area is not protected by a fire safety service. The Otter-Lake FSS located more than 30 minutes from the boundaries of the unorganized territory cannot respond effectively.
The MRC in charge of this territory will establish remedial measures while raising awareness among users of the area through prevention messages.
6.2.3.11 Municipality of Litchfield
The municipality of Litchfield is protected by the Campbell’s Bay/Litchfield FSS and can rely on a fire station staffed by 25 firefighters (including 8 available most of the time), one pumper, one pumper-tanker, one tanker and one pumper ladder. It has no water supply system. However, it has 7 water supply points including two that are equipped with a dry hydrant. The municipality has one urban area (UA14) located 6 kilometres from the Campbell’s Bay/Litchfield fire station.
124 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
Currently, resources from the Campbell’s/Litchfield FSS are the only ones dispatched to the scene of the fire upon receipt of the first alarm. Resource deployment does not automatically provide for use of personnel from fire stations in Bryson, Mansfield-et- Pontefract and Thorne with which the municipality has occasional mutual assistance agreements. The Campbell’s Bay/Litchfield fire safety service chief is the one who decides to call in reinforcements as needed depending on the scope of the response.
Optimized protection coverage
With implementation of the actions provided for in the cover plan, resource deployment will take account of the risk category, firefighter availability, water supply issues and travel distances.
LITCHFIELD (UA14)
SURROUNDING FSS LITCHFIELD MANSFIELD-ET- BRYSON FSS OTTER-LAKE FSS CAMPBELL’S BAY/LITCHFIELD FSS PONTEFRACT FSS RT # Outside # RT # RT # RT UA UA FIREFIGHTER 25 11 27 23 PERSONNEL DTWD To the To the To the 8 4 5 5 AVAILABILITY 20 20 to 35 south in north-west north in WDE min. min. 25 in 20 to 25 25 to 30 8 4 8 8 AVAILABILITY minutes minutes minutes WE 8 4 8 8 AVAILABILITY Pumper 3,814 litres PT 6,819 litres Pumper A-C 8,182 l VEHICLES PT 11,365 litres Tanker 8,172 litres 2,270 litres Tanker 6,819 l (1) PL 2,270 litres #: number of firefighters DTWD: daytime weekday WDE: weekday evening WE: weekend RT: Response time in minutes inside or outside urban areas (UA) PT Pumper tanker PL Pumper ladder S-sRT Station-to-station response time including mobilization N.B.: Information shown in table was gathered in 2010. It may therefore vary at the time of cover plan implementation. Resource deployment protocols will be adjusted accordingly as needed. (1) Vehicle to be replaced in Year 3 by a pumper-tanker
125 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
Water supply
The municipality of LITCHFIELD has one (1) UA. The municipality does not have a standard water supply system. It has seven (7) water supply points including two (2) that are developed.
Strike force (low and moderate risk)
According to the table above, the CAMPBELL’S BAY/LITCHFIELD FSS will be able at all times to assemble 8 firefighters in its UA assigned to fire extinguishing operations within approximately 20 minutes and within approximately 35 minutes outside the UA.
Strike force (high and very high risk)
For high and very high risk responses, an additional team of 4 firefighters will be mobilized at the first alarm (12 firefighters assigned to fire extinguishing operations). The Campbell’s Bay/Litchfield FSS will have to enlist help at all times from one or more neighbouring fire stations (located closest to the response location) to meet this objective. The time required to reach the strike force level will be approximately 35 minutes depending on the response location.
Material resources
For responses to fires at a building in areas not serviced by a standard water supply system, a standard pumper and at least two (2) tankers will be mobilized at the first alarm.
Firefighters assigned to water supply, relay pumping or transport are not included in the number of firefighters required to reach the strike force level.
The municipality of Litchfield has therefore decided to implement the following measures:
Enter into an automatic assistance agreement at the first alarm for low or moderate risk buildings with the Bryson fire safety service and with the Mansfield-et-Pontefract and Otter-Lake FSS for higher risks; Evaluate the possibility of installing up to five dry fire hydrants at strategic locations.
6.2.3.12 Municipality of Mansfield-et-Pontefract
126 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
The municipality of Mansfield-et-Pontefract has a fire station in UA16 and 27 firefighters (including 5 to 8 available most of the time), one pumper-tanker and one tanker. The municipality has two urban areas (UA15 and UA16). The two urban areas are approximately 3 kilometres apart. The UA16 of the municipality has a water system with fire hydrants; all (30/30) are capable of delivering more than 1,500 litres/minute. It can also count on 11 water supply points including one equipped with a dry hydrant.
Currently, only resources in Mansfield-et-Pontefract are dispatched to the scene of the fire upon receipt of the first alarm. Resource deployment does not automatically provide for use of personnel from fire stations in Fort-Coulonge, Waltham and Campbell’s Bay/Litchfield with which the municipality has a verbal agreement concerning occasional mutual assistance. The Mansfield-et-Pontefract fire safety service chief is the one who decides to call in reinforcements as needed depending on the scope of the response.
Optimized protection coverage
With implementation of the actions provided for in the cover plan, resource deployment will take account of the risk category, firefighter availability, water supply issues and travel distances.
MANSFIELD-ET-PONTEFRACT (UA15) AND (UA16)
SURROUNDING FSS MANSFIELD-ET-PONTEFRACT FSS FORT-COULONGE FSS WALTHAM FSS RT # Outside # S-SRT # S-SRT UA UA FIREFIGHTER 27 25 23 PERSONNEL DTWD To the 5 3 8 AVAILABILITY 15 15 to 50 south in To the west in WDE min. min. 15 min. or 20 min. 8 8 8 AVAILABILITY less WE 8 8 8 AVAILABILITY PT 8,182 litres Pumper 3,178 l VEHICLES Tanker 6,819 l (1) Pumper 3,770 l Tanker 9,988 litres
#: number of firefighters DTWD: daytime weekday WDE: weekday evening WE: weekend RT: Response time in minutes inside or outside urban areas (UA) PT Pumper tanker S-sRT Station-to-station response time including mobilization
127 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
N.B.: Information shown in table was gathered in 2010. It may therefore vary at the time of cover plan implementation. Resource deployment protocols will be adjusted accordingly as needed. (1) Vehicle to be replaced in Year 3 by a pumper-tanker
Water supply
The municipality of MANSFIELD ET PONTEFRACT includes two (2) UA in its territory. The UA16 is covered 33 % by a standard water supply system. It has eleven (11) water supply points including one that has been developed.
Strike force (low and moderate risk)
According to the table above, the MANSFIELD ET PONTEFRACT FSS will have to call on one or more neighbouring fire stations during weekdays (located closest to the response location) to assemble within its UA 8 firefighters assigned to fire extinguishing operations within approximately 20 minutes and within approximately 50 minutes outside the UA.
Strike force (high and very high risk)
For high and very high risk responses, an additional team of 4 firefighters will be mobilized at the first alarm (12 firefighters assigned to fire extinguishing operations).The MANSFIELD ET PONTEFRACT FSS will have to call one or more neighbouring fire stations at all times (located closest to the response location) to meet this objective. The time required to reach the strike force level will be approximately 50 minutes depending on the response location.
Material resources
For responses to building fires in areas equipped with a standard water supply system, one standard pumper-tanker will be mobilized at the first alarm.
For responses to fires at a building in areas not serviced by a standard water supply system, one standard pumper-tanker and at least two (2) tankers will be mobilized at the first alarm.
Firefighters assigned to water supply, relay pumping or transport are not included in the number of firefighters required to reach the strike force level.
The municipality of Mansfield-et-Pontefract has therefore decided to implement the following measures:
Enter into an automatic assistance agreement at the first alarm for all types of risk with the Fort-Coulonge fire safety service and with the Waltham FSS for higher risks;
128 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
Evaluate the possibility of installing up to eleven dry fire hydrants at strategic locations; Purchase alone or in partnership one pumper-tanker that meets ULC standards.
Corrective/remedial measures to include in the implementation plan
Action 47: Evaluate the benefits of pooling resources with a neighbouring FSS given its proximity.
6.2.3.13 Municipality of Otter-Lake
The Otter-Lake municipality can rely on a fire station staffed by 23 firefighters (including 5 to 8 available most of the time) and one new pumper tanker. The municipality has a water system with fire hydrants; all (31/31) are capable of delivering more than 1,500 litres/minute. It can also count on 12 water supply points with no dry hydrants. The municipality has one urban area (UA17).
Currently, only the municipality’s resources are dispatched to the scene of the fire following the initial alarm. Resource deployment does not automatically provide for the use of personnel from the Thorne fire station, with which the municipality has an occasional mutual assistance agreement. The Otter-Lake fire safety service chief is responsible for calling in reinforcements as needed depending on the scope of the response.
Optimized protection coverage
With implementation of the actions provided in the cover plan, resource deployment will take account of the risk category, firefighter availability, water supply issues and travel distances.
OTTER-LAKE (UA17)
SURROUNDING FSS CAMPBELL’S ALLEYN-ET- OTTER-LAKE FSS THORNE FSS BAY/LITCHFIELD FSS CAWOOD FSS RT # Outside # S-SRT # S-SRT # S-SRT UA UA FIREFIGHTER 23 15 25 10 PERSONNEL To the DTWD To the To the 5 20 15 to 40 4 8 south- 4 AVAILABILITY south in north-east min. min. west in 35 WDE 25 min. in 40 min. 8 6 8 min. 4 AVAILABILITY WE 8 6 8 4
129 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
AVAILABILITY Pumper 3,814 l Pumper 3,405 l Pumper 3,632 l PT 6,819 l VEHICLES PT 11,365 litres Tanker 6,819 l (1) Tanker 9,092 litres PL 2,270 l
Tanker 8,172 litres #: number of firefighters DTWD: daytime weekday WDE: weekday evening WE: weekend RT: Response time in minutes inside or outside urban areas (UA) PT Pumper tanker S-sRT Station-to-station response time including mobilization N.B.: Information shown in table was gathered in 2010. It may therefore vary at the time of cover plan implementation. Resource deployment protocols will be adjusted accordingly as needed. (1) The two vehicles will be replaced in Year 3 by a pumper-tanker.
Water supply
The municipality of OTTER-LAKE has (1) one UA. The UA is covered up to 75 % by a standard water supply system. It has twelve (12) undeveloped water supply points.
Strike force (low and moderate risk)
According to the table above, the OTTER-LAKE FSS will have to call on, during the daytime on weekdays, one or more neighbouring fire stations (located closest to the response location) to assemble within its UA 8 firefighters assigned to fire extinguishing operations within approximately 35 minutes and within approximately 40 minutes outside the UA.
Strike force (high and very high risk)
For high and very high risk responses, an additional team of 4 firefighters will be mobilized at the first alarm (12 firefighters assigned to fire extinguishing operations). The OTTER-LAKE FSS will have to call at all times on one or more neighbouring fire stations (located closest to the response location) to meet this objective. The time required to reach the strike force level will be approximately 40 minutes depending on the response location.
Material resources
For responses to building fires in areas equipped with a standard water supply system, one standard pumper-tanker will be mobilized at the first alarm.
For responses to fires at a building in areas not serviced by a standard water supply system, one standard pumper-tanker and at least two (2) tankers will be mobilized at the first alarm where distance permits (30 minutes or less).
Firefighters assigned to water supply, relay pumping or transport are not included in the number of firefighters required to reach the strike force level.
The Otter-Lake municipality has therefore decided to implement the following measures:
130 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
Enter into an automatic assistance agreement at the first alarm for higher risks with the Thorne, Campbell’s Bay/Litchfield and Alleyn-et-Cawoods fire safety services and with Thorne for low and moderate risks; Evaluate the possibility of installing up to twelve dry fire hydrants at strategic locations. Acquire two spare cylinders
6.2.3.14 Municipality of Portage-du-Fort
The municipality of Portage-du-Fort can rely on a fire station staffed by 9 firefighters (including 4 available most of the time) and one pumper. The municipality has a water system with fire hydrants most of which (18/21) are capable of delivering more than 1,500 litres/minute. It can also count on 1 water supply point with no dry hydrants. The municipality has one urban area (UA18).
Currently, only the municipality’s resources are dispatched to the scene of the fire following the initial alarm. Resource deployment does not automatically provide for the use of personnel from the Shawville/Clarendon fire station with which the municipality has an occasional mutual assistance agreement. The Portage-du-Fort fire safety service chief is the one who decides to call in reinforcements as needed depending on the scope of the response.
Optimized protection coverage
With implementation of the actions provided for in the cover plan, resource deployment will take account of the risk category, firefighter availability, water supply issues and travel distances.
PORTAGE-DU-FORT (UA18)
SURROUNDING FSS SSI DE SSI DE PORTAGE-DU-FORT SSI DE BRYSON SHAWVILLE/CLARENDON RT # Outside # S-SRT # S-SRT UA UA FIREFIGHTER 9 11 23 PERSONNEL DTWD 4 4 To the 6 AVAILABILITY 15 To the east in 20 min. north in 25 WDE min. 25 min. 4 4 min. 8 AVAILABILITY WE 4 4 8 AVAILABILITY VEHICLES Pumper 2,270 litres Pumper 2,270 litres Pumper 3,632 l
131 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
PL 2,270 l Tanker 13,638 litres Tanker 5,902 litres #: number of firefighters DTWD: daytime weekday WDE: weekday evening WE: weekend RT: Response time in minutes inside or outside urban areas (UA) S-sRT Station-to-station response time including mobilization N.B.: Information shown in table was gathered in 2010. It may therefore vary at the time of cover plan implementation. Resource deployment protocols will be adjusted accordingly as needed.
Water supply
The municipality of PORTAGE-DU-FORT HAS (1) one UA. The UA is covered up to 90 % by a standard water supply system. The municipality has one (1) undeveloped water supply point.
Strike force (low and moderate risk)
According to the table above, the PORTAGE-DU-FORT FSS will have to enlist help at all times from one or more neighbouring fire stations (located closest to the response location) to assemble within its UA 8 firefighters assigned to fire extinguishing operations within approximately 25 minutes and within approximately 25 minutes outside the UA.
Strike force (high and very high risk)
For high and very high risk responses, an additional team of 4 firefighters will be mobilized at the first alarm (12 firefighters assigned to fire extinguishing operations). The PORTAGE-DU-FORT FSS will have to call one or more neighbouring fire stations at all times (located closest to the response location) to meet this objective. The time required to reach the strike force level will be approximately 25 minutes depending on the response location.
Material resources
For responses involving building fires in areas equipped with a standard water supply system, a standard pumper will be mobilized at the first alarm.
For responses to fires at a building in areas not serviced by a standard water supply system, a standard pumper and at least two (2) tankers will be mobilized at the first alarm.
Firefighters assigned to water supply, relay pumping or transport are not included in the number of firefighters required to reach the strike force level.
The municipality of Portage-du-Fort has therefore decided to implement the following measures:
132 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
Enter into an automatic assistance agreement at the first alarm for all types of risks with the Bryson and Shawville/Clarendon fire safety services; Supply a bunker suit to all of its firefighters and a class A portable pump; Evaluate the possibility of installing a dry fire hydrant at a strategic location; Increase the number of firefighters in the municipality.
Corrective/remedial measures to include in the implementation plan
Action 47: Evaluate the benefits of pooling resources with a neighbouring FSS given its proximity.
6.2.3.15 Municipality of Rapide-des-Joachims
The municipality of Rapide-des-Joachims is protected by the Laurentian Hills FSS in Ontario, 16 kilometres away, with a fire station staffed by 39 firefighters (including 8 available most of the time), one pumper and one tanker. The municipality has no water system equipped with fire hydrants. However, it has 5 water supply points with no dry hydrants. The municipality has one urban area (UA19).
Currently, only 6 firefighters from Laurentian Hills are dispatched to the scene of a fire following receipt of the initial alarm. Resource deployment is provided in the urbanized area only. All other areas in the Rapide-des-Joachims municipality are unprotected by a fire safety service.
Optimized protection coverage
With implementation of the actions provided for in the cover plan, resource deployment will take account of the risk category, firefighter availability, water supply issues and travel distances.
RAPIDE-DES-JOACHIMS (UA19)
SURROUNDING FSS LAURENTIAN HILLS DEEP RIVER FSS, RAPIDE-DES-JOACHIMS ONTARIO FSS ONTARIO RT RT Outs # # OUTSIDE # RT UA ide UA UA UA FIREFIGHTER 0 39 10 PERSONNEL 20 min. DTWD 20 to 50 To the south in 0 8 to 25 2 AVAILABILITY min. 25 to 50 min. min. WDE 0 8 4 AVAILABILITY
133 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
WE 0 8 4 AVAILABILITY Pumper 6,356 litres VEHICLES No FSS Tanker 6,819 litres Tanker 6,819 litres #: number of firefighters DTWD: daytime weekday WDE: weekday evening WE: weekend RT: Response time in minutes inside or outside urban areas (UA) N.B.: Information shown in table was gathered in 2010. It may therefore vary at the time of cover plan implementation. Resource deployment protocols will be adjusted accordingly as needed.
Water supply
The municipality of RAPIDE-DES-JOACHIMS has one (1) UA. The municipality does not have a standard water supply system. It has five (5) undeveloped water supply points.
Strike force (low and moderate risk)
According to the table above, the Laurentian Hills FSS will be able at all times to assemble within the urbanized area of Rapide-des-Joachims 8 firefighters assigned to fire extinguishing operations within approximately 25 minutes and within approximately 50 minutes outside the UA.
Strike force (high and very high risk)
For high and very high risk responses, an additional team of 4 firefighters will be mobilized at the first alarm (12 firefighters assigned to fire extinguishing operations). The LAURENTIAN HILLS FSS will have to call at all times on one or more neighbouring fire stations (located closest to the response location) to meet this objective. The time required to reach the strike force level will be approximately 50 minutes depending on the response location.
Material resources
For responses to fires at a building in areas not serviced by a standard water supply system, a standard pumper and at least two (2) tankers will be mobilized at the first alarm where distance permits (30 minutes or less).
Firefighters assigned to water supply, relay pumping or transport are not included in the number of firefighters required to reach the strike force level.
The municipality of Rapide-des-Joachims has therefore decided to implement the following measures:
Enter an automatic assistance agreement at the first alarm for all types of risk in any part of its territory with the Laurentian Hills and Deep River fire safety services;
134 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
Evaluate the possibility of installing up to five dry fire hydrants at strategic locations.
6.2.3.16 Municipality of Shawville
The municipality of Shawville is protected by the Clarendon/Shawville FSS and can rely on a fire station staffed by 23 firefighters (including 6 to 8 available most of the time), one pumper, two tankers and one pumper ladder. The municipality has a water system with fire hydrants, all (95/95) capable of delivering more than 1,500 litres/minute. The municipality has no water supply points.
Currently, only the municipality’s resources are dispatched to the scene of a fire following the initial alarm. Resource deployment does not automatically provide for use of personnel from the Bristol and Thorne fire stations with which the municipality has occasional mutual assistance agreements. The Clarendon/Shawville fire safety service chief is the one who decides to call in reinforcements as needed depending on the scope of the response.
Optimized protection coverage
With implementation of the actions provided for in the cover plan, resource deployment will take account of the risk category, firefighter availability, water supply issues and travel distances.
SHAWVILLE (UA20)
SURROUNDING FSS BRISTOL FSS PORTAGE-DU- CLARENDON/SHAWVILLE FSS (MAIN FIRE BRYSON FSS FORT FSS STATION) RT # Outside # S-SRT # S-SRT # S-SRT UA UA FIREFIGHTER 23 10 9 11 PERSONNEL DTWD To the 8 4 To the 4 To the 4 AVAILABILITY 15 10 to south- east in 25 west in 20 WDE min. 20 min. west in 8 4 min. 4 min. 4 AVAILABILITY 25 min. WE 8 4 4 4 AVAILABILITY Pumper 3,632 litres Tanker 13,638 litres Pumper 2,270 VEHICLES PT 11,365 litres Pumper 2,270 litres Tanker 5,902 litres litres PL 2,270 litres
135 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
#: number of firefighters DTWD: daytime weekday WDE: weekday evening WE: weekend RT: Response time in minutes inside or outside urban areas (UA) PT Pumper tanker PL Pumper ladder S-sRT Station-to-station response time including mobilization N.B.: Information shown in table was gathered in 2010. It may therefore vary at the time of cover plan implementation. Resource deployment protocols will be adjusted accordingly as needed.
Water supply
The municipality of SHAWVILLE has one (1) UA. The UA is covered up to 70 % by a standard water supply system. The municipality has no water supply points.
Strike force (low and moderate risk)
According to the table above, the Clarendon/Shawville FSS will be able at all times to assemble in its UA 8 firefighters assigned to fire extinguishing operations within approximately 15 minutes and within approximately 25 minutes outside the UA.
Strike force (high and very high risk)
For high and very high risk responses, an additional team of 4 firefighters will be mobilized at the first alarm (12 firefighters assigned to fire extinguishing operations). The Clarendon/Shawville FSS will have to enlist help at all times from one or more neighbouring fire stations (located closest to the response location) to meet this objective. The time required to reach the strike force level will be approximately 25 minutes depending on the response location.
Material resources
For responses involving building fires in areas equipped with a standard water supply system, a standard pumper will be mobilized at the first alarm.
For responses to fires at a building in areas not serviced by a standard water supply system, a standard pumper and at least two (2) tankers will be mobilized at the first alarm.
Firefighters assigned to water supply, relay pumping or transport are not included in the number of firefighters required to reach the strike force level.
The municipality of Shawville has therefore decided to implement the following measures:
Enter into an automatic assistance agreement at the first alarm for all types of risk in all parts of its territory with the Bristol and Bryson fire safety services depending on the response location.
136 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
6.2.3.17 Municipality of Sheenboro
The municipality of Sheenboro is protected by the Chichester/Sheenboro FSS and can rely on a fire station staffed by 15 firefighters (including 6 available most of the time), one pumper and one tanker. It has no water supply system but has 5 water supply points with no dry hydrants. The municipality has one urban area (UA21).
Currently, only the municipality’s resources are dispatched to the scene of a fire following the initial alarm. Resource deployment does not automatically provide for the use of personnel from fire stations in Isle-aux-Allumettes and Waltham with which the municipality has occasional mutual assistance agreements. The Chichester/Sheenboro fire safety service chief is the one who decides to call in reinforcements as needed depending on the scope of the response.
Optimized protection coverage
With implementation of the actions provided for in the cover plan, resource deployment will take account of the risk category, firefighter availability, water supply issues and travel distances.
SHEENBORO (UA21)
SURROUNDING FSS CHICHESTER/SHEENBORO FSS ISLES-AUX-ALLUMETTES WALTHAM FSS FSS (MAIN FIRE STATION) RT # Outside # S-SRT # S-SRT UA UA FIREFIGHTER 15 10 23 PERSONNEL DTWD 6 3 To the 8 AVAILABILITY 20 15 to 50 To the east in south-east WDE min. min. 35 min. 6 4 in 20 min. 8 AVAILABILITY WE 6 4 8 AVAILABILITY Pumper 3,632 litres Pumper 2,270 l Pumper 3,178 l VEHICLES Tanker 6,819 l (1) Tanker 11,365 litres Tanker 9,988 litres #: number of firefighters DTWD: daytime weekday WDE: weekday evening WE: weekend RT: Response time in minutes inside or outside urban areas (UA) PT Pumper tanker S-sRT Station-to-station response time including mobilization N.B.: Information shown in table was gathered in 2010. It may therefore vary at the time of cover plan implementation. Resource deployment protocols will be adjusted accordingly as needed. (1) Vehicle to be replaced in Year 3 by a pumper-tanker
Water supply
137 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
The municipality of SHEENBORO has one (1) UA. The municipality does not have a standard water supply system. It has five (5) undeveloped water supply points.
Strike force (low and moderate risk)
According to the table above, the Chinchester/Sheenboro FSS will have to enlist help at all times from one or more neighbouring fire stations (located closest to the response location) in order to assemble in its UA 8 firefighters assigned to fire extinguishing operations within approximately 30 minutes and within approximately 50 minutes outside the UA.
Strike force (high and very high risk)
For high and very high risk responses, an additional team of 4 firefighters will be mobilized at the first alarm (12 firefighters assigned to fire extinguishing operations). The Chinchester/Sheenboro FSS will have to call on one or more neighbouring fire stations at all times (located closest to the response location) to meet this objective. The time required to reach the strike force level will be approximately 50 minutes depending on the response location.
Material resources
For responses to fires at a building in areas not serviced by a standard water supply system, a standard pumper and at least two (2) tankers will be mobilized at the first alarm where distance permits (30 minutes or less).
Firefighters assigned to water supply, relay pumping or transport are not included in the number of firefighters required to reach the strike force level.
The municipality of Sheenboro has therefore decided to implement the following measures:
Enter into an automatic assistance agreement at the first alarm for all types of risks in its territory with the Isle-aux-Allumettes fire safety service and Waltham for higher risks; Provide a bunker suit to all firefighters and a class A portable pump; Complete the DSI 2003 fire report after a fire; Evaluate the possibility of installing up to five dry fire hydrants at strategic locations; Increase the number of firefighters in the municipality; In partnership with the municipality of Chichester purchase one pumper-tanker for the Chichester/Sheenboro FSS that complies with ULC standards.
138 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
6.2.3.18 Municipality of Thorne
The municipality of Thorne can rely on a fire station staffed by 15 firefighters (including 4 to 6 available most of the time), one pumper and one tanker. It has no water supply system but has 7 water supply points with no dry hydrants. The municipality has one urban area (UA22).
Currently, only the municipality’s resources are dispatched to the scene of a fire following the initial alarm. Resource deployment does not automatically provide for the use of personnel from the Shawville/Clarendon fire station with which the municipality has an occasional mutual assistance agreement. The Thorne fire safety service chief is the one who decides to call in reinforcements as needed depending on the scope of the response. The Thorne FSS covers part of the municipality of La Pêche in Les Collines- de-l’Outaouais MRC.
Optimized protection coverage
With implementation of the actions provided for in the cover plan, resource deployment will take account of the risk category, firefighter availability, water supply issues and travel distances.
THORNE (UA22)
SURROUNDING FSS BRISTOL CAMPBELL’S OTTER SHAWVILLE/CLARENDON FSS THORNE FSS BAY/LITCHFIELD LAKE FSS FSS (SATELLITE FSS STATION) RT S- # Outside # # S-SRT # S-SRT # S-SRT UA SRT UA FIREFIGHTER 10 15 23 23 25 PERSONNEL To To the DTWD To the 4 4 5 the 6 To the 8 south- AVAILABILITY 20 25 to 30 west in north south in 30 east WDE min. min. 40 4 6 8 in 25 8 min. 8 in 35 AVAILABILITY min. min. min. WE 4 6 8 8 8 AVAILABILITY Pumper 3,814 l PT 11,365 l Pumper Pumper 3632 l PL 2,270 l 3,632 litres PT 11,365 PL 2,270 l VEHICLES PT 6,819 litres Tanker 9,092 litres litres Tanker 13,638 l Tanker 8,172 Tanker 5,902 litres litres #: number of firefighters DTWD: daytime weekday WDE: weekday evening WE: weekend RT: Response time in minutes inside or outside urban areas (UA) PT Pumper tanker S-sRT Station-to-station response time including mobilization
139 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
N.B.: Information shown in table was gathered in 2010. It may therefore vary at the time of cover plan implementation. Resource deployment protocols will be adjusted accordingly as needed.
Water supply
The municipality of THORNE has one (1) UA. The municipality does not have a standard water supply system. It has seven (7) undeveloped water supply points.
Strike force (low and moderate risk)
According to the table above, the Thorne FSS will have to enlist help at all times from one or more neighbouring fire stations (located closest to the response location) in order to assemble in its UA 8 firefighters assigned to fire extinguishing operations within approximately 30 minutes and within approximately 40 minutes outside the UA.
Strike force (high and very high risk)
For high and very high risk responses, an additional team of 4 firefighters will be mobilized at the first alarm (12 firefighters assigned to fire extinguishing operations). The Thorne FSS will have to enlist help at all times from one or more neighbouring fire stations (located closest to the response location) to meet this objective. The time required to reach the strike force level will be approximately 40 minutes depending on the response location.
Material resources
For responses to fires at a building in areas not serviced by a standard water supply system, a standard pumper and at least two (2) tankers will be mobilized at the first alarm where distance permits (30 minutes or less).
Firefighters assigned to water supply, relay pumping or transport are not included in the number of firefighters required to reach the strike force level.
The municipality of Thorne has therefore decided to implement the following measures:
Enter into an automatic assistance agreement at the first alarm for all types of risks in its territory with the Otter-Lake, Shawville/Clarendon, Bristol and Campbell’s Bay/Litchfield fire safety services by area; Evaluate the possibility of installing up to seven dry fire hydrants at strategic locations; Purchase a class A portable pump to reduce tanker filling time.
140 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
6.2.3.19 Municipality of Waltham
The municipality of Waltham can rely on a fire station staffed by 23 firefighters (including 8 available most of the time), one pumper and one tanker. It has no water supply system but has 5 water supply points with no dry hydrants. The municipality has one urban area (UA23).
Currently, only the municipality’s resources are dispatched to the scene of the fire following the initial alarm. Resource deployment does not automatically provide for the use of personnel from fire stations in Isle-aux-Allumettes, Chichester/Sheenboro and Mansfield-et-Pontefract with which the municipality has an occasional mutual assistance agreement. The Waltham fire safety service chief is the one who decides to call in reinforcements as needed depending on the scope of the response.
Optimized protection coverage
With implementation of the actions provided for in the cover plan, resource deployment will take account of the risk category, firefighter availability, water supply issues and travel distances.
WALTHAM (UA23) SURROUNDING FSS ISLE-AUX- MANSFIELD- CHICHESTER/ ALLUMETTES ET- SHEENBORO WALTHAM FSS FSS (SATELLITE PONTEFRACT FSS FIRE STATION) FSS RT # Outside # S-SRT # S-SRT # S-SRT UA UA FIREFIGHTER 23 9 27 15 PERSONNEL DTWD To the To the To the 8 3 5 6 AVAILABILITY 15 15 to 50 south- east west WDE min. min. west in in 20 in 30 8 4 8 6 AVAILABILITY 20 min. min. min. WE 8 4 8 6 AVAILABILITY PT 8,182 l Pumper Pumper 3,178 l PT 6,819 litres Tanker 6,819 3,632 l VEHICLES Tanker 9,988 litres Tanker 4,540 l litres (1) Tanker 6,819 l (1) #: number of firefighters DTWD: daytime weekday WDE: weekday evening WE: weekend RT: Response time in minutes inside or outside urban areas (UA) PT Pumper tanker S-sRT Station-to-station response time including mobilization
141 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
N.B.: Information shown in table was gathered in 2010. It may therefore vary at the time of cover plan implementation. Resource deployment protocols will be adjusted accordingly as needed. (1) Vehicle to be replaced in Year 3 by a pumper-tanker
Water supply
The municipality of WALTHAM has one (1) UA. The municipality does not have a standard water supply system. It has five (5) undeveloped water supply points.
Strike force (low and moderate risk)
According to the table above, the Waltham FSS will be able at all times in its UA to assemble 8 firefighters assigned to fire extinguishing operations within approximately 15 minutes and within approximately 50 minutes outside the UA.
Strike force (high and very high risk)
For high and very high risk responses, an additional team of 4 firefighters will be mobilized at the first alarm (12 firefighters assigned to fire extinguishing operations). The WALTHAM FSS will have to enlist help at all times from one or more neighbouring fire stations (located closest to the response location) to meet this objective. The time required to reach the strike force level will be approximately 50 minutes depending on the response location.
Material resources
For responses to fires at a building in areas not serviced by a standard water supply system, a standard pumper and at least two (2) tankers will be mobilized at the first alarm where distance permits (30 minutes or less).
Firefighters assigned to water supply, relay pumping or transport are not included in the number of firefighters required to reach the strike force level.
The municipality of Waltham has therefore decided to implement the following measures:
Enter into an automatic assistance agreement at the first alarm for all types of risks in its territory with the Isle-aux-Allumettes, Mansfield-et-Pontefract and Chichester/Sheenboro fire safety services, depending on the area; Evaluate the possibility of installing up to five dry fire hydrants at strategic locations.
142 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
6.3 Objective 4: ADAPTED SELF-PROTECTION MEASURES
6.3.1 Departmental objective
“Offset possible fire response deficiencies through adapted self-protection measures.”
Based on the risk classification used, Objectives 2 and 3 align with the various aspects involved in firefighting operations by promoting the development and implementation of an optimum response by municipal services when necessary.
However effective they may be, municipal resources may fall below the average level usually required to ensure minimal fire protection, especially in certain high risk cases or at difficult to reach locations.
The provisions of the Code de construction and many municipal bylaws already specify an obligation for many categories of buildings to install stationery fire extinguishing systems or early fire detection devices. The helpfulness of such systems in improving the response effectiveness of emergency services has been mentioned already. However, the application of these construction rules is relatively recent in many localities or for certain types of buildings, which means that many buildings erected over the past few years, especially business and industrial buildings, have escaped the new requirements.
In practical terms, fire safety planning should provide for suitable self-protection methods while seeking every possible opportunity to actively cooperate with the parties responsible for causing the risk in question. More specifically, these include: fire extinguishing systems, fire detection devices and automatic alarm relay to a FSS, the creation of a private fire brigade and use of a fire prevention specialist.
Furthermore, the municipalities should give consideration to their fire safety organization when developing their urban plans, especially in order to prevent the construction of buildings at a high risk of conflagration outside areas serviced by appropriate road or water supply infrastructures.
143 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
6.3.2 Pontiac MRC objective
The Pontiac MRC intends to achieve Objective 4 of the departmental policy. To do so, the prevention program developed during implementation of the fire safety cover plan and achievement of Objective 1 will offset response-related shortfalls. More specifically, buildings located in areas subject to these shortfalls will be inspected more frequently.
As well, in updating its analysis of risks in the territory, and after an initial inspection tour of high and very high risk cases by the fire prevention specialist, the Pontiac MRC intends to focus special attention on special-purpose buildings and the location of fire risks in the area.
To do so, the Pontiac MRC plans to take the following additional measures:
Corrective/remedial measures to include in the implementation plan
Action 48: Analyze the possibility of reviewing construction regulations enforceable in the area as set out in Chapter 1 (Building) of the Code de construction du Québec, especially for public institutions such as educational facilities, supervised residences, convalescent homes or rehabilitation centres accommodating no more than nine persons, all of which are excluded under section 3.3 of the Building Act's implementing regulations.
Action 49: Encourage companies and institutions located in the territory to use self- protection measures or devices such as: stationery fire extinguishing systems or fire detection devices; automatic alarm relay to the FSS or creation of a private fire brigade; or, use of a full-time, qualified fire- prevention resource.
Action 50: Raise awareness among participating municipalities, in the urban planning and review of their development plans, specifically with regard to the location of fire hazards in their respective areas, in order to overcome response shortfalls or delay the spread of fire for certain buildings.
Action 51: Offer training on the use of portable extinguishers to regional businesses and institutions.
144 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
6.4 Objective 5: OTHER DISASTER RISKS
6.4.1 Departmental objective
“In the case of other disaster risks likely to require the use of resources assigned to fire safety, plan the organization of emergency services and provide for response methods that allow deployment of an optimal strike force taking regionally-available resources into account.”
Section 11 of the Fire Safety Act provides that the fire safety cover plan may include similar elements with regard to disaster risks likely to require use of the same resources as those used for fire safety.
However, including these elements in the cover plan does not create obligations for the parties in question except to the extent determined by the authorities concerned and only if expressly specified.
As applicable, section 47 states that the municipality that establishes the fire safety service and its members are exempt from any liability that might result from their response to a disaster requiring their assistance.
For example and more specifically, a municipality may specify at its discretion in the regional cover plan that its fire safety unit is also empowered to use jaws of life within a given area.
In this case, and subject to the nature and scope of the services specified, it can secure immunity with respect to actions taken by it or its personnel in such circumstances with the same immunity applicable to its fire safety activities.
6.4.2 Pontiac MRC objective
The Pontiac MRC has decided not to include other disaster risks in this fire safety cover plan. However, the municipalities will continue to provide the services already being delivered.
6.5 Objective 6: MAXIMIZED USE OF FIRE SAFETY RESOURCES
“Maximize the use of resources allocated to fire safety.”
145 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
Given the organizational issues raised by the Quebec fire report, reform in this sector of activity contributes directly to this general course of action, and involves reviewing municipal structures and approaches in order to maximize the use of resources, improve their effectiveness and reduce the cost to residents. Incidentally, this is also the reason why the objectives proposed here require municipalities to consider all regionally-available resources in order to enhance the overall level public protection against fire.
In practical terms, regional authorities responsible for fire safety planning are asked to somehow overstep the limits of local municipalities and design service delivery methods and response methods that account, first and foremost, for the risks to be covered rather than the unit or service that provides the coverage. This involves adjusting the current approaches of municipalities and emergency organizations and reviewing their operating methods in order to enhance the level of protection provided to as many citizens as possible at the lowest cost, while taking advantage of economies of scale and productivity gains wherever possible.
Another appropriate aim is to enlist more extensive involvement by firefighters in preventing fires, especially those hired full time. Apart from the benefits already discussed for a municipality that emphasizes prevention, firefighter involvement in implementing public awareness activities makes it possible to promote an incentive- based approach, calling on the public’s sense of responsibility and social conscience, rather than relying primarily on regulatory-type actions that are invariably less popular with the public.
Consistent with an item raised by a few of the previous objectives in relation to the level of protection to be provided in urbanized areas, maximized use of municipal fire safety resources in the end concerns urban and development planning and public infrastructure management. Once the municipalities have a clearer knowledge of fire hazards and are more aware of the level of protection possible in the different parts of their territory, we can expect them to gear development to locations serviced by appropriate roadway and water supply infrastructures most conducive to adequate fire risk coverage. As well, we can expect other municipal services capable of contributing to fire prevention and protection to gain awareness of their respective responsibilities in this area.
6.5.1 Pontiac MRC objective
The Pontiac MRC intends to achieve Objective 6 of the departmental policy. To do so, it has already made provision for the following measures in its cover plan:
° Mobilization of resources upon receiving the initial alarm from more than one fire station (action provided in Objectives 2 and 3);
146 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
° Firefighter assistance in conducting several fire prevention activities (action provided in Objective 1);
° Contribution by other municipal services to certain fire safety issues, i.e. evaluation services to update risk classification, urban planning services to review the development plan, and public works, the FSS manager and the authority responsible for water management in the territory (action provided in Objective 4).
6.6 Objective 7: SUPRAMUNICIPAL LEVEL
6.6.1 Departmental objective
“Encourage use of the regional county municipality (MRC) supraregional level to organize or manage certain fire safety functions.”
In a field related to fire safety, the scientific and technical committee responsible for analyzing the ice storm that lasted from January 5 to 9, 1998 (Nicolet Commission) complained about the limited operational capacity of many municipalities in Quebec and recommended a supramunicipal level to organize certain functions related to public security.
In the case of fire safety, it was mentioned that many functions could be carried out more advantageously at a supramunicipal level. These include, in particular: firefighter training; investigations into the causes and circumstances of fires; prevention activities; and, group purchases of fire safety equipment, material and various supplies. With this in mind, it is difficult to imagine how emergency communications could be assigned to two or more separate organizations in a given region without making a sacrifice of some kind, whether in terms of emergency response effectiveness or productivity. However, there may be exceptional situations like the one prevailing in Rapides-des-Joachims.
Furthermore, risk analysis, fire safety resource inventory and development of protection objectives for a regional territory could similarly open up interesting opportunities for pooling services. This objective is also intended to align with the provisions of the Fire Safety Act, which assigns planning responsibility for this area to regional authorities.
Specifically, this objective asks municipal authorities to examine the possibility of using a regional authority to perform specific responsibilities whenever the cost/benefit ratio is attractive for local administrators.
147 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
6.6.2 Pontiac MRC objective
The Pontiac MRC intends to play a supervisory role in implementing the cover plan to ensure that all of the measures specified in it are carried out according to the established timeframes. In order to do so, the MRC has included the following action in its cover plan:
Corrective/remedial action to be included in the implementation plan
Action 52: Maintain the fire safety committee in place to ensure that actions provided in the plan are carried out by the FSS and participating municipalities according to the planned schedules.
6.7 Objective 8: ALIGNMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY RESOURCES AND ORGANIZATIONS
6.7.1 Departmental objective
“Plan for fire safety with an eye to aligning it with the resources and organizations of other public safety structures, whether in terms of public security, emergency service organization, pre-hospital emergency services or police services.”
Given that fire safety services are the first, if not the only, resources available to respond to a disaster in many localities, it seems appropriate to ensure that fire safety organization in the territory is aligned seamlessly with other public safety functions (police force, ambulance services, pre-hospital services, Hydro-Québec, public security advisor, etc.).
In practical terms, fire safety planning should provide a means of forming partnerships among the various stakeholders in a given community in areas such as fire prevention, determining the causes and circumstances of fires, performing investigations into suspicious fires, delivering emergency services, and planning and organizing certain emergency measures.
6.7.2 Pontiac MRC objective
The Pontiac MRC intends to achieve Objective 8 of the departmental policy. With the goal of maximizing public safety resources, the MRC will implement the following measure.
148 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
Corrective/remedial action to be included in the implementation plan
Action 53: Establish a regional coordinating committee including, in particular, authorities in charge of fire safety services, Quebec provincial police (Sûreté du Québec) and ambulance service workers.
As needed, this committee will join hands with specialized resources in specific fields (public security, Hydro-Québec, etc.). It will meet at least once a year and will have to submit a report of its meetings to the Pontiac MRC council. Its mandate will be to clearly define the roles and responsibilities of each stakeholder in relation to emergency intervention. The participating municipalities have agreed to collaborate as needed on this regional coordinating board and delegate a representative to it as required.
CHAPTER 7- FOLLOW-UP PLANNING
Under section 35 of the Fire Safety Act, every local or regional authority in charge of implementing the measures provided for in a fire safety cover plan must, within three months of the end of their fiscal year, adopt by resolution and transmit to the Minister a report of their fire safety activities for the preceding fiscal year and their fire safety projects for the coming year. This annual report will be organized to periodically evaluate the effectiveness of measures implemented and the degree to which the objectives have been met, as specified in section 10 of the Act.
Careful monitoring in cooperation with the municipalities should be performed to ensure that they are headed toward achieving their objectives.
To help the municipalities compile information of relevance to developing their annual report, the MRC will put forward an activity and intervention report. This report will be organized to describe all activities by the fire safety services, whether prevention, awareness, drills, training, fire station work (maintenance and administration) or response operations (including false alarms).
In the case of a response, the report will describe the strike force level achieved based on the number of firefighters, mutual assistance, vehicles mobilized, equipment used and water logistics. It will also include details about the fire and the type of incident. This report will not be limited to events prescribed by the fire reporting guide of the Department of Public Safety since the objective at the MRC level is to develop a comprehensive report on fire safety service activities. As a complement, the report will also include all information to be gathered about the disaster site in order to complete the drafting of a DSI-2003.
149 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
7.1 Evaluation of actions
Although aware that the improvements proposed under this reform will generate positive results over the midterm in the property loss balance sheet, it is important to measure the impact from the beginning. The Department of Public Safety recommends establishing performance indicators to evaluate certain actions taken under the cover plan.
Developed in cooperation with the Ministère des Affaires municipales, du Sport et des Loisirs (MAMMSL) and the Corporation des officiers municipaux agréés du Québec (COMAQ), the performance indicators aim to ensure continuous improvement of service operations and delivery to the population by municipal organizations. More specifically, the objectives are:
Improve the municipal service delivery performance of municipal organizations. Enable elected officials and public servants employed by municipal organizations to better understand changes in service quality and the financial health of their organization and thus make informed service delivery choices. Provide means of fostering better decision-making by producing operational and strategic information on municipal service management. Provide taxpayers with relevant information on municipal service management, and thus better respond to their requests.
The proposed performance indicators relate to two areas: prevention and intervention.
In terms of prevention, the calendar of inspections proposed and passed by local authorities, and in compliance with the implementation plan, can be used to measure achievement of the targeted objectives.
Intervention indicators are based on three important indicators:
1. Percentage of material loss in fire-damaged buildings
For example, a loss of $80,000 should not be considered disastrous, especially if the real estate value of the building is $400,000. Therefore, the indicator formula for calculating performance is as follows:
Property losses for fire-damaged buildings X 100 Total value of fire-damaged buildings
2. Average response time for building fires
Discussed at length in the policy, this indicator is used to evaluate the strategies developed to meet the time frames prescribed in Objective 2 of the departmental fire safety guidelines published by the Department of Public Safety. The indicator formula for calculating performance is as follows:
150 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
Sum of response time Number of fire calls
3. Cost per $100 of evaluation.
As an economic indicator, it is important to consider the ability of residents to pay. The indicator formula for calculating this aspect is as follows:
Cost of fire protection activity X 100 Standardized real estate wealth
The MRC will include performance indicators in the annual report.
By establishing these indicators in the first year of the implementation plan, local authorities and residents will be able to monitor changes in performance achieved through improvements to their fire safety services.
Corrective/remedial action to be included in the implementation plan
Action 54: Develop or use performance indicators (like those developed by the DPS) to monitor implementation of the cover plan and report at least once a year to the fire safety committee.
151 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
CHAPTER 8 - CONSULTATIONS
Public consultations
In accordance with section 18 of the Fire Safety Act, the fire safety cover plan project was submitted for public consultation. This consultation took place on April 18, 19 and 20, 2005. The draft fire safety cover plan was also available for consultation at each Pontiac MRC municipal town hall. A public notice was also published in local newspapers asking residents to submit their comments and opinions. Audiences primarily consisted of firefighters and elected municipal officials. Nevertheless, the people who attended the public meetings received the information they wanted and were satisfied with the presentation.
Copy of Public Notice
PUBLIC NOTICE
PUBLIC CONSULTATION CONCERNING THE FIRE SAFETY COVER PLAN PROPOSAL
In June 2000 the Government of Quebec adopted Bill 112 entitled: “Fire Safety Act.” The major innovation of this Act consisted of establishing a regional fire safety planning process. Implemented by each regional county municipality (MRC), this process is intended more specifically to improve knowledge of fire hazards existing in the territory and then determine the combination of resources needed to facilitate and foster optimum protection of the population and local heritage.
The regional fire safety planning process ultimately produces a fire safety cover plan developed by the regional county municipality (MRC) in cooperation with local municipalities. In order to comply with the Act, the Pontiac MRC adopted a resolution in April 2002 approving the start of work on its fire safety cover plan. Today, the MRC has completed the initial steps toward producing a draft plan to be submitted for public consultation.
From the start of the drafting process, the fire safety committee appointed by MRC resolution directed the project leader on the fire safety organization method to be established. In short, these guidelines are as follows:
Maintain the primacy of fire response activities at the local level; Assign the role of program support and coordination to the region.
In relation to these guidelines, the MRC and the local municipalities that comprise it plan to establish a series of measures to be translated into their implementation plans. Among the principal measures proposed, we would mention:
Implementation of measures to encourage fire prevention; Resource planning to deploy a strike force that enables an effective response; Organization of adapted self-protection measures primarily to offset fire response deficiencies; Fire safety planning with the goal of harmonizing resources with other public safety structures.
The different measures (optimization and implementation activities) cover a five (5)-year period according to the relevant obligations provided and also taking account of the financial capacities of local municipalities. Generally, implementation of the various measures (based on departmental objectives and management practices commonly used in the field) will help improve fire safety services.
152 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
To encourage residents to participate in the fire safety cover plan development and implementation process, the Pontiac MRC through its board will hold public consultations at the following locations and dates:
- Campbell’s Bay: Recreational Centre, 2 Second Street, Campbell’s Bay, April 18, 2005 at 7:00 pm. - - Chapeau: Isle-aux-Allumettes Town Hall, 75 Notre-Dame, Chapeau, April 19, 2005 at 7:00 pm.
- Bristol: Bristol Town Hall, 32 Aylmer Road, Bristol, April 20, 2005 at 7:00 pm. - During these consultations, the board will present the contents of the draft FSCP and will listen to anyone who wishes to make comments. To ensure effective coordination of the meetings, groups and individuals who wish to speak may send the appropriate request to the Pontiac MRC office, P.O. Box 460, 602 Route 301, Campbell’s Bay, Québec, J0X 1K0.
The draft fire safety cover plan may be consulted during your municipality’s normal office hours at the Pontiac MRC or via the Internet site www.mrcpontiac.qc.ca For more details, contact the Pontiac MRC at 819-648-5689.
Secretary Treasurer, Luc Séguin Campbell’s Bay, March 29, 2005
8.1 Public consultation report
The board is comprised of Michael McCrank, Prefect, Claude Lafleur, Project Officer and Luc Séguin, Secretary Treasurer of the Regional County Municipality of Pontiac; they will be on hand starting at 7:00 p.m.; Mr. Séguin will serve as Secretary during the consultation evenings.
Monday, April 18 in Campbell’s Bay, with approximately 10 persons;
Tuesday, April 19 in Isle-aux-Allumettes, with approximately 11 persons;
Wednesday, April 20 in Bristol, with thirteen persons.
During each of the evenings, the presentation begins with an introduction by Prefect Michael McCrank. He is followed by Claude Lafleur who gives a Power Point presentation using electronic equipment simultaneously in French and English to summarize the Fire Safety Cover Plan.
Questions and comments by participants, all interested, touched on pertinent information:
~The cost of the decentralization process launched by the Government of Quebec; ~Management of the 9-1-1 telephone answering service; ~The Pontiac Regional County Municipality’s role considering the issues; ~The coordinator’s role; ~The importance of training; ~Regional compliance compared to local compliance; ~Compliance of a municipality’s services compared to a partner municipality;
153 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
~The coming into force date of the regional cover plan and issuance date of the local certificate; ~The capacity of local municipalities to pay; ~Interprovincial agreements; ~Age of equipment; ~Link between existing standards and insurance companies; ~The consequences for a municipality that does not secure certification; ~Firefighter classification; ~Training by the Western Quebec school board; ~Training by the Project Officer or Regional Coordinator; ~First responder; ~The failure of some municipalities to take the matter seriously indicates that the optimization objective is drifting out of sight; ~Evaluation of costs, training, prevention and inspection equipment if there is no effort to pool resources; ~Existing lists of hazardous substances; ~Low level of training implies deficient service.
When the fire safety cover plan was being drafted, the comments made at public consultations had an impact at various levels. We can guide the necessary actions in terms of the need for public education, the necessary prevention initiatives and the interest among residents in bearing the actual costs of improving their fire safety service.
Surrounding Regional County Municipalities (MRC) were asked to examine the draft fire safety cover plan considering that its contents may be of relevance to them.
154 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
9 - CONCLUSION
The changes introduced by the new fire safety legislation assigned regional authorities the mandate of planning fire safety in their territories. This initial fire safety cover plan development activity is therefore intended as a first attempt to engage in fire safety planning at the Pontiac MRC level. Drafted in accordance with the fire safety policy of the Minister of Public Safety, this process enabled a significant improvement in knowledge of existing risks in the territory and resources available to cover them. An analysis of current risk coverage allowed for the identification of fire safety shortfalls in the area. However, the many discussions generated by the process among the various stakeholders, especially members of the fire safety committee, produced solutions that mitigate most of them. Therefore, considering all of the changes that implementation of this fire safety cover plan will achieve, the level of fire protection in the Pontiac MRC territory will undoubtedly improve a great deal.
The planning activity involved in developing this cover plan will ensure more effective use of resources available across the territory in covering the risks present. It will also ensure that the fire safety service has equipment that complies with the various quality and performance standards generally accepted in the field.
By the time the next fire safety cover plan is developed, another step may have been accomplished toward further improving fire safety across the territory.
155 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
Implementation plans
The following implementation plans comprise an action plan that the Pontiac MRC and each participating municipality must apply as soon as the cover plan takes effect. These plans specify the steps, time frames, responsible municipal authorities and the cost of achieving each of the specific objectives applicable. To make this document easier to read, the implementation plans have been consolidated into a single document.
Responsible authority ACTIONS
Municipality
Time frame for Production
implementing costs
Calumet
Pontefract
- -
actions Joachims $$ Fort
# -
DESCRIPTION -
et
-
Cawood
-
Allumettes du
- -
des
et -
-
Grand
Lake
-
-
Coulonge
aux
-
-
du
ichester
-
Lac Nilgaut Lac unorganized territory
Pontiac MRC Pontiac Alleyn Bristol Bryson Bay Campbell’s Ch Clarendon Fort Île Isle Litchfield Mansfield Otter Portage Rapide Shawville Sheenboro Thorne Waltham Establish FSS by enacting a Year 1 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X none 1 municipal bylaw. Raise employer awareness within the MRC concerning the benefits of Year 1 and X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X none 2 having trained fire safety annually resources among their personnel. In cooperation with the municipalities, draft an intermunicipal model agreement or Year 1 and revise existing agreements to applicable to X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X none 3 ensure that resources are Year 2 deployed in accordance with the objectives identified in the cover plan. Ratify (one year) and/or maintain Year 1 and X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X none 4 intermunicipal agreements with applicable to
156 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
Responsible authority ACTIONS
Municipality
Time frame for Production
implementing costs
Calumet
Pontefract
- -
actions Joachims $$ Fort
# -
DESCRIPTION -
et
-
Cawood
-
Allumettes du
- -
des
et -
-
Grand
Lake
-
-
Coulonge
aux
-
-
du
ichester
-
Lac Nilgaut Lac unorganized territory
Pontiac MRC Pontiac Alleyn Bristol Bryson Bay Campbell’s Ch Clarendon Fort Île Isle Litchfield Mansfield Otter Portage Rapide Shawville Sheenboro Thorne Waltham surrounding municipalities for fire Year 2 coverage in order to meet the cover plan objectives. Municipalities that have no fire safety service must approve (1 year) and maintain an intermunicipal agreement on fire protection with one or more nearby municipalities in order to meet the cover plan objectives. Furthermore, in cooperation with Year 1 and 5 the MRC, municipalities with no applicable to X X none fire safety service must implement Year 2 prevention activities within their territories to meet the objectives of the cover plan and provide one human resource (such as a municipal inspector) to enforce the smoke alarm installation and verification program. Establish a recruitment program to Year 2 and ensure a minimal contingent of X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X none 6 ongoing firefighters per fire station. Ensure that all firefighters and At all times, 80 000 $ officers have the training required starting X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 7 per year for the duties assigned to them in immediately
157 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
Responsible authority ACTIONS
Municipality
Time frame for Production
implementing costs
Calumet
Pontefract
- -
actions Joachims $$ Fort
# -
DESCRIPTION -
et
-
Cawood
-
Allumettes du
- -
des
et -
-
Grand
Lake
-
-
Coulonge
aux
-
-
du
ichester
-
Lac Nilgaut Lac unorganized territory
Pontiac MRC Pontiac Alleyn Bristol Bryson Bay Campbell’s Ch Clarendon Fort Île Isle Litchfield Mansfield Otter Portage Rapide Shawville Sheenboro Thorne Waltham accordance with the regulation applicable in Quebec. Ensure that FSS personnel include resources trained to investigate At all times, the causes and circumstances of 2 000 $ starting X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 8 fires. Otherwise, enter an per year immediately agreement with a municipality that has such resources. Establish a system for monitoring the availability of personnel and to Year 2 and ensure that a certain number of X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X none 9 daily firefighters are present in the territory at all times. Based on NFPA and the ÉNPQ guide, establish a standardized Year 1 and Variable in monthly training program with applicable X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 10 each FSS participation by all personnel. annually
Ensure that all fire safety services have an occupational safety and Year 2 and 11 health program and committee, applicable X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X none and that they participate in them. annually
158 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
Responsible authority ACTIONS
Municipality
Time frame for Production
implementing costs
Calumet
Pontefract
- -
actions Joachims $$ Fort
# -
DESCRIPTION -
et
-
Cawood
-
Allumettes du
- -
des
et -
-
Grand
Lake
-
-
Coulonge
aux
-
-
du
ichester
-
Lac Nilgaut Lac unorganized territory
Pontiac MRC Pontiac Alleyn Bristol Bryson Bay Campbell’s Ch Clarendon Fort Île Isle Litchfield Mansfield Otter Portage Rapide Shawville Sheenboro Thorne Waltham As needed, maintain and renew the agreement with the ÉNPQ to train Year 1 or as personnel assigned to fire safety. X none 12 needed
Hire a qualified fire prevention resource to coordinate and Year 1 and 13 monitor implementation of the X 50 000 $ cover plan and make it available to annually the FSS. Provide a regional resource to FSS with fire prevention qualifications Year 2 and Not 14 (FPT) to inspect the higher-risk X situations present in the RMC annually estimated territory. If possible, improve fire station layout and, as necessary, provide 15 additional space to facilitate As needed X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X response vehicle and equipment storage. Have all response vehicles $200 / inspected as required and, if Year 1 Vehicle / 16 necessary, obtain ULC applicable on X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Year performance and/or compliance expiry ULC: $1000$ / certification. vehicle
159 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
Responsible authority ACTIONS
Municipality
Time frame for Production
implementing costs
Calumet
Pontefract
- -
actions Joachims $$ Fort
# -
DESCRIPTION -
et
-
Cawood
-
Allumettes du
- -
des
et -
-
Grand
Lake
-
-
Coulonge
aux
-
-
du
ichester
-
Lac Nilgaut Lac unorganized territory
Pontiac MRC Pontiac Alleyn Bristol Bryson Bay Campbell’s Ch Clarendon Fort Île Isle Litchfield Mansfield Otter Portage Rapide Shawville Sheenboro Thorne Waltham Establish remedial measures to replace vehicles that fail Repair cost As needed X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 17 inspections. variable
Develop, implement and monitor a program of response vehicle and portable pump replacement, acquisition, maintenance and Year 1 and evaluation based on applicable applicable X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X none 18 standards and the guide to annually requirements concerning response vehicles and accessories for fire safety services published by the Department of Public Safety (DPS). Ensure that drainage and filler valves of tankers and pumper- tankers are compliant to speed up drainage and filling operations in compliance with the guide to requirements concerning response $1000 per Year 1 X X X X X 19 vehicles and accessories for fire vehicle safety services published by the DPS. The vehicle drainage valve of vehicles listed in the table below will have to be modified to meet requirements.
160 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
Responsible authority ACTIONS
Municipality
Time frame for Production
implementing costs
Calumet
Pontefract
- -
actions Joachims $$ Fort
# -
DESCRIPTION -
et
-
Cawood
-
Allumettes du
- -
des
et -
-
Grand
Lake
-
-
Coulonge
aux
-
-
du
ichester
-
Lac Nilgaut Lac unorganized territory
Pontiac MRC Pontiac Alleyn Bristol Bryson Bay Campbell’s Ch Clarendon Fort Île Isle Litchfield Mansfield Otter Portage Rapide Shawville Sheenboro Thorne Waltham Replace or acquire the 250 000 $ 20 response vehicles specified in X X X X table 35. Year 3 none
Develop, implement and monitor a replacement, maintenance, acquisition and evaluation program for response equipment, and Year 2 and 21 firefighter protective applicable X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X none accessories, including annually communications devices, in accordance with the applicable manufacturers’ standards or requirements. Acquire or replace equipment 22 identified in table 37. Year 1 and 2 X X X X X X X X X X X X 60 000 $
Develop, implement and monitor a water supply infrastructure assessment and Year 1 and 2 23 and applicable X X X X X X X X X X X none maintenance program, annually including pressure and flow checks for fire hydrants, winter
161 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
Responsible authority ACTIONS
Municipality
Time frame for Production
implementing costs
Calumet
Pontefract
- -
actions Joachims $$ Fort
# -
DESCRIPTION -
et
-
Cawood
-
Allumettes du
- -
des
et -
-
Grand
Lake
-
-
Coulonge
aux
-
-
du
ichester
-
Lac Nilgaut Lac unorganized territory
Pontiac MRC Pontiac Alleyn Bristol Bryson Bay Campbell’s Ch Clarendon Fort Île Isle Litchfield Mansfield Otter Portage Rapide Shawville Sheenboro Thorne Waltham preparation and snow removal, and plan for a hydrant marking system based on the NFPA 291 standard. Regularly inform the FSS about water supply problems and At all times X X X X X X X X X X none 24 provide it with an updated map of systems. Apply remedial measures in areas with an insufficient water supply (flow < 1,500 l/min) or no At all times X X X X X X X X X X As needed 25 water supply, such as dispatching two tankers with the initial strike force. In cooperation with the municipalities, the MRC will perform a study in Year 2 of the cover plan's implementation on water supply points and will Not Year 2 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 26 develop an installation program estimated with consideration for costs, needs and available financial resources in order to determine the number of water supply
162 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
Responsible authority ACTIONS
Municipality
Time frame for Production
implementing costs
Calumet
Pontefract
- -
actions Joachims $$ Fort
# -
DESCRIPTION -
et
-
Cawood
-
Allumettes du
- -
des
et -
-
Grand
Lake
-
-
Coulonge
aux
-
-
du
ichester
-
Lac Nilgaut Lac unorganized territory
Pontiac MRC Pontiac Alleyn Bristol Bryson Bay Campbell’s Ch Clarendon Fort Île Isle Litchfield Mansfield Otter Portage Rapide Shawville Sheenboro Thorne Waltham points needed to maximize water coverage in the territory and facilitate their use or accessibility. Relevant recommendations will be made to the fire safety committee. Develop, implement and monitor a water supply point maintenance and development program to facilitate tanker filling operations and make them accessible at all times Year 2 to 5 27 and applicable X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X none based on the recommendations annually of standard 1142 and, as applicable, suggestions following completion of the water supply point optimization study. Ensure that the services provided by 9-1-1 emergency call centres and the secondary dispatch At all times X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X none 28 service are compliant with the Regulation respecting standards, specifications and quality criteria
163 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
Responsible authority ACTIONS
Municipality
Time frame for Production
implementing costs
Calumet
Pontefract
- -
actions Joachims $$ Fort
# -
DESCRIPTION -
et
-
Cawood
-
Allumettes du
- -
des
et -
-
Grand
Lake
-
-
Coulonge
aux
-
-
du
ichester
-
Lac Nilgaut Lac unorganized territory
Pontiac MRC Pontiac Alleyn Bristol Bryson Bay Campbell’s Ch Clarendon Fort Île Isle Litchfield Mansfield Otter Portage Rapide Shawville Sheenboro Thorne Waltham applicable to 9-1-1 emergency centres and to certain secondary emergency call centres. Perform a study to standardize communications devices provided to the FSS and the frequencies 29 used by personnel to improve Year 2 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 22 000 $ communications among fire stations in the different municipalities. Regularly test portable radios and Year 1 and 30 pagers and ensure that a sufficient applicable at X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X none number is available. all times Review and implement procedures to mobilize human and material Year 1 and resources with particular applicable consideration for the risk category X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X none 31 starting in and specific features of the Year 2 territory, based on the Operations Guide. Regularly inform the FSS about the Year 1 and update by municipalities of risk applicable at X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X none 32 classification in their respective all times areas. Find a communications solution to Not Year 1 to 5 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 33 create a regionally integrated estimated
164 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
Responsible authority ACTIONS
Municipality
Time frame for Production
implementing costs
Calumet
Pontefract
- -
actions Joachims $$ Fort
# -
DESCRIPTION -
et
-
Cawood
-
Allumettes du
- -
des
et -
-
Grand
Lake
-
-
Coulonge
aux
-
-
du
ichester
-
Lac Nilgaut Lac unorganized territory
Pontiac MRC Pontiac Alleyn Bristol Bryson Bay Campbell’s Ch Clarendon Fort Île Isle Litchfield Mansfield Otter Portage Rapide Shawville Sheenboro Thorne Waltham emergency communications system to provide communications coverage to the entire area of local municipalities and to correct any poor communications zones identified. Develop and implement an Year 1 and 34 incident evaluation and applicable to X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X none analysis program. Year 2 Conduct activities to determine the causes and circumstances At all times X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X none 35 of fire using resources specifically trained in this field. Complete the fire report (DSI 2003) after each response and submit it to the Department of At all times X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X none 36 Public Safety (DPS) within the prescribed time frame, with a copy to the Pontiac MRC. Record each response in a log, Applicable 37 draft a report and forward it to starting in X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X none the Pontiac MRC each year. Year 1 Use this report to develop Applicable X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X none 38 prevention and public starting in
165 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
Responsible authority ACTIONS
Municipality
Time frame for Production
implementing costs
Calumet
Pontefract
- -
actions Joachims $$ Fort
# -
DESCRIPTION -
et
-
Cawood
-
Allumettes du
- -
des
et -
-
Grand
Lake
-
-
Coulonge
aux
-
-
du
ichester
-
Lac Nilgaut Lac unorganized territory
Pontiac MRC Pontiac Alleyn Bristol Bryson Bay Campbell’s Ch Clarendon Fort Île Isle Litchfield Mansfield Otter Portage Rapide Shawville Sheenboro Thorne Waltham awareness activities. Year 2 The MRC will have to complete a report on their fire safety activities annually as required Starting in 39 by section 35 of the Fire Safety Year 2 and X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X None Act and forward it to the DPS annually and municipalities within the prescribed time frame. Complete and apply standardized municipal bylaws providing for mandatory 40 installation of a working smoke Year 1 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X none detector in all homes and verification of alarm systems by owners, among other things. Develop a prevention program based on the NFC, inspect smoke detector operation in cooperation with firefighters for Year 1 and applicable low and moderate risk X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X none 41 starting in locations, and have high and Year 2 very high risk locations inspected by a qualified fire prevention resource.
166 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
Responsible authority ACTIONS
Municipality
Time frame for Production
implementing costs
Calumet
Pontefract
- -
actions Joachims $$ Fort
# -
DESCRIPTION -
et
-
Cawood
-
Allumettes du
- -
des
et -
-
Grand
Lake
-
-
Coulonge
aux
-
-
du
ichester
-
Lac Nilgaut Lac unorganized territory
Pontiac MRC Pontiac Alleyn Bristol Bryson Bay Campbell’s Ch Clarendon Fort Île Isle Litchfield Mansfield Otter Portage Rapide Shawville Sheenboro Thorne Waltham Develop and implement a program of year-round public Year 1 and 42 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X none awareness activities. annually
Develop and implement a program for drafting response plans for high and very high Year 1 and X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X none 43 risk situations based on the annually NFPA 1620 and, as applicable, train firefighters. Review resource deployment procedures in order to meet the Year 1 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X None 44 protection objectives specified in Chapter 6 of the cover plan. Transmit deployment 45 procedures to the 9-1-1 call Year 2 X None centre. In cooperation with the municipalities, conduct a study designed to promote the use of 46 self-protection mechanisms Year 3 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X None and make recommendations to the fire safety committee proposing amendments to the
167 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
Responsible authority ACTIONS
Municipality
Time frame for Production
implementing costs
Calumet
Pontefract
- -
actions Joachims $$ Fort
# -
DESCRIPTION -
et
-
Cawood
-
Allumettes du
- -
des
et -
-
Grand
Lake
-
-
Coulonge
aux
-
-
du
ichester
-
Lac Nilgaut Lac unorganized territory
Pontiac MRC Pontiac Alleyn Bristol Bryson Bay Campbell’s Ch Clarendon Fort Île Isle Litchfield Mansfield Otter Portage Rapide Shawville Sheenboro Thorne Waltham municipal bylaws; have them enacted and established.
Evaluate the benefits of pooling 47 resources with a neighbouring Year 1 X X none FSS given its proximity. Analyze the possibility of reviewing construction regulations enforceable in the area as set out in Chapter 1 (Building) of the Code de construction du Québec, especially for public institutions Year 1 and such as educational facilities, applicable X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X none 48 supervised residences, starting in convalescent homes or Year 2 rehabilitation centres accommodating no more than nine persons, all of which are excluded under section 3.3 of the Building Act's implementing regulations.
168 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
Responsible authority ACTIONS
Municipality
Time frame for Production
implementing costs
Calumet
Pontefract
- -
actions Joachims $$ Fort
# -
DESCRIPTION -
et
-
Cawood
-
Allumettes du
- -
des
et -
-
Grand
Lake
-
-
Coulonge
aux
-
-
du
ichester
-
Lac Nilgaut Lac unorganized territory
Pontiac MRC Pontiac Alleyn Bristol Bryson Bay Campbell’s Ch Clarendon Fort Île Isle Litchfield Mansfield Otter Portage Rapide Shawville Sheenboro Thorne Waltham Encourage companies and institutions located in the territory to use self-protection measures or devices such as: stationery fire extinguishing Annually 49 systems or fire detection starting in X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X none devices; automatic alarm relay Year 2 to the FSS or creation of a private fire brigade; or, use of a full-time, qualified fire- prevention resource. Raise awareness among participating municipalities, in the urban planning and review of their development plans, specifically with regard to the Annually 50 location of fire hazards in their starting in X none respective areas, in order to Year 2 overcome response shortfalls or delay the spread of fire for certain buildings.
Year 2 Offer training on the use of X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 1 000 $ 51 Annually
169 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
Responsible authority ACTIONS
Municipality
Time frame for Production
implementing costs
Calumet
Pontefract
- -
actions Joachims $$ Fort
# -
DESCRIPTION -
et
-
Cawood
-
Allumettes du
- -
des
et -
-
Grand
Lake
-
-
Coulonge
aux
-
-
du
ichester
-
Lac Nilgaut Lac unorganized territory
Pontiac MRC Pontiac Alleyn Bristol Bryson Bay Campbell’s Ch Clarendon Fort Île Isle Litchfield Mansfield Otter Portage Rapide Shawville Sheenboro Thorne Waltham portable extinguishers to regional businesses and institutions. Maintain the fire safety committee in place to ensure that actions provided in the Year 1 and 52 plan are carried out by the FSS applicable as X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X none and participating municipalities needed according to the planned schedules Establish a regional coordinating committee including, in particular, authorities in charge of fire Year 1 and 53 applicable as X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X none safety services, Quebec needed provincial police (Sûreté du Québec) and ambulance workers. Develop or use performance indicators (like those developed by the DPS) to monitor Year 2 and X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X none 54 implementation of the cover annually plan and report at least once a year to the fire safety
170 Fire Safety Cover Plan Pontiac MRC
Responsible authority ACTIONS
Municipality
Time frame for Production
implementing costs
Calumet
Pontefract
- -
actions Joachims $$ Fort
# -
DESCRIPTION -
et
-
Cawood
-
Allumettes du
- -
des
et -
-
Grand
Lake
-
-
Coulonge
aux
-
-
du
ichester
-
Lac Nilgaut Lac unorganized territory
Pontiac MRC Pontiac Alleyn Bristol Bryson Bay Campbell’s Ch Clarendon Fort Île Isle Litchfield Mansfield Otter Portage Rapide Shawville Sheenboro Thorne Waltham committee.
171