ResponderTHE ALBERTA FIRE CHIEFS ASSOCIATION Spring/Summer 2014
Commitment, Caring, Remembering
Fire Services Fuelled by Passion
Wines Inspired by Flames Spring/Summer 2014 | 1 2 | The Responder ResponderTHE ALBERTA FIRE CHIEFS ASSOCIATION
The Responder is the official publication of the Alberta Fire Chiefs Association. The magazine is published twice a year. The publication is distributed free of charge to CONTENTS emergency services personnel throughout Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and British Columbia. In addition, The Responder is distributed to urban 5 From the Publisher and rural municipalities, Members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta and other organizations with 6 Good News for Alberta’s Municipalities an interest in fire and related emergency services. and Fire Departments
Publication Mail Agreement: 40065432 7 Proper Training—How Important Is It? Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: 11 Commitment, Caring, Remembering Rose Country Advertising & Public Relations 11904 -113 Avenue 16 Fire Services Fuelled by Passion Edmonton, Alberta Canada T5G 3C2 22 Wines Inspired by Flames
Phone: 1.800.661.4278 28 Winning Entry Results in New Fax: 780.452.2890 Rescue Truck Email: [email protected] 32 Shipping Oil by Rail—Threat to Publisher/Editor Communities and First Responders Brian Stecyk [email protected]
Advertising Sales Kelley Johnston [email protected]
Creative Director Margaret Horton [email protected]
Copyright 2014, RC and AFCA. All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced by any means in whole or in part without the expressed written consent of the Cover Photo: Captain Gorrie, Edmonton Garrison Fire Chief, is proud publisher or the Alberta Fire Chiefs Association. of his long career as a fire fighter in the Canadian military.
Spring/Summer 2014 | 3 We also received significant support from AUMA and AAMD&C.
Many of our members are struggling with recruitment. We have developed many tools to help but we have difficulty knowing how many fire departments are taking advantage of them. Some that have used them report remarkable success. If you have a story about how you have succeeded at recruitment, please share it. The easiest Dear Friends, way to do that is to call our magazine editor and tell him. You don’t have to do anything other than call. The editor Welcome to the Alberta Fire Chiefs Association will have the article written and it will be printed in an Conference and Trade Show in Grande Prairie. upcoming issue. We are looking forward to an exciting event with great discussion and friendship. On behalf of our membership During and following our conference, please explore the I extend heartfelt thanks to Chief Dan Lemieux and Chief Peace River portion of Alberta It is a big area and certainly Everett Cooke, conference chairs, Allan Schram, Rodney one of the most impressive parts of our province. While Schmidt, and conference coordinator, Kelly Legris for the you are at it say congratulations to the City of Grande work they have done to make this conference a success. Prairie on their 100th Anniversary.
We have seen significant gains over the past months Bill Purdy particularly with the new arrangement with the provincial Executive Director, AFCA government regarding payment for response on provincial Deputy Chief highways. The changes resulted from a cooperative effort Wabamun Fire Department ofD3958_TransCare_hlfpg_Layout our executive working with 1 11/14/13 Alberta 11:22 Transportation. AM Page 1
Maximum Power in Half the Size!
• Operate Two Tools with MAX POWER or Operate One Tool with an Additional BOOST. • Increased First Stage Pressure Reduces Cycle Times. • Extremely Portable and Lightweight. Modular Design Reduces Service Time.
Trans-Care Rescue Ltd. 219 Main Street East, Langham SK S0K 2L0 Toll Free: 1-800-71RESCU email: [email protected] www.trans-carerescue.com
2700 Wisconsin Ave. | Downers Grove, IL USA 60515 1-800-592-6587 www.amkus.com Rescue System Supplier of
4 | The Responder From the Publisher
It is great to testament to their commitment to their community. I be in the City encourage you to visit their winery and see what came of Grande out of the ashes of the Okanagan Park Fire of 2003. Prairie for the AFCA I apologize for not recognizing Fire Chief Jerrold Lemko convention. of the Vegreville Fire Department as Canada’s Volunteer I am sure the Fire Chief of the Year. I received the information about delegates Chief Lemko after the last edition had been printed. will be I will include a story about Chief Lemko and his fire overwhelmed department in an upcoming issue. by the vibrancy and economic As always, please let me know of any stories your feel activity they see. should be shared among your colleagues. We can write about them—we just have to know what they are. In producing this and the previous issue of The Brian Stecyk Responder, I had the opportunity to meet and talk to Publisher/Editor many exceptional first responders. Every one of them, regardless of their position or age was dedicated to their profession.
One of the other pleasures I had with this issue is the opportunity to spend time on Canadian Forces Base Edmonton to meet the fire fighting team. They are unique because they have to be prepared to not only respond to the traditional situations all fire fighters confront—they have to respond in combat situations. As they told me they are soldiers first and fire fighters second although when the call comes in they immediately become first responders. They have extended an invitation to any fire fighter to stop by for a visit. I would recommend taking them up on it.
I also enjoyed talking to Leo Gebert of St. Hubertus Winery. Although we only talked on the telephone, I look forward to visiting the vineyard next time I am in Kelowna. Their effort to recognize fire fighters is a
Spring/Summer 2014 | 5 Good News for Alberta’s Municipalities and Fire Departments By Brian Stecyk
AFCA Executive Director Bill Purdy, Minister of Transportation and Minister of Infrastructure Wayne Drysdale, and AFCA Vice-president Al Schram are happy after the announcement of increased funding for responses to emergency situations on Alberta’s highways. highways.
“The announcement of increased funding for Minister Drysdale announced that fees for large emergency response by fire departments responding to equipment (pumper trucks and rescue vans) would be emergency situations on provincial highways is good increased from $400 to $600 per hour and that fees news for every municipality and fire department in would now be adjusted annually to reflect increasing Alberta,” says Al Schram, Edson Fire Chief and Vice- costs of operation. Other fees would also be adjusted. president of the Alberta Fire Chiefs Association (AFCA). “Perhaps equally important is a change to make the Vice-president Schram was commenting on the payment process easier and uniform throughout the announcement made by Transportation Minister Wayne province,” says Bill Purdy, AFCA Executive Director. “We Drysdale at the spring meeting of the Alberta Association achieved these changes by working cooperatively with of Municipal Districts and Counties. Alberta Transportation who were quick to recognize the problem and were receptive to bringing about a change. Fire departments are often the first responders at motor We thank them for their efforts.” vehicle accidents on primary and secondary highways. Costs are recovered through claims on driver’s insurance Purdy added: “Both the AAMD&C and AUMA strongly but often that is unsuccessful and the bill is sent to supported the Alberta Fire Chiefs Association and will Alberta Transportation. “It has been about 15 years also be happy to see a positive result for this issue.” since fees were adjusted and they were just not covering actual costs. Municipalities and their taxpayers were picking up the shortfall,” adds Schram.
6 | The Responder Proper Training— How Important Is It? By Mike Bailey Emt-P, Assistant Fire Chief Owner Fire Training Solutions
Door entry—proper training is the most critical component of fire fighting.
As most of us know, more than half of all 911 calls instruction on fire behavior, hose placement and methods responded to by the fire service involve a medical of fire attack that they’ll ever need. The fact is they’ve emergency; less than 10 percent involve actual fire. Over acquired only the basics. the last 10 years the numbers of fires and fire deaths have also gradually declined, thanks to the great work in fire In pursuit of attaining Fire Fighter I status, recruits must prevention. demonstrate their ability to extinguish a fire involving stacked or piled Class A materials that can be fought These statistics have had a real, lasting impact on today’s from the exterior of the structure. Not until advancing fire service. Rigorous EMT/paramedic training has become to Fire Fighter II status does the recruit coordinate an a mainstay, but fewer fires means many fire fighters don’t interior fire attack with all the necessary tools and personal receive the same level of training on actual fire fighting. protective equipment (PPE). For the very first time, they Although the decrease in fires and fire deaths is a true evaluate fire growth and development, conduct a primary testament to the progress we’ve made, we still need hands- search and communicate changing conditions to the on training to learn proper fire fighting techniques and to incident commander (IC). All of these lessons and drills are keep ourselves as safe as possible on scene. conducted in the very beginning of their career. So what happens after that? When was the last time you did live fire Some departments believe that when a recruit graduates training? from an accredited fire program, and they’ve met all the objectives of NFPA 1001: Standard for Fire Fighter The same high standard of continuing education that we Professional Qualifications, they’ve received all the place on EMS training should be carried over to our fire
Spring/Summer 2014 | 7 training to ensure fire fighters can perform effectively and safely on the fireground. To ensure these high standards are met, it’s imperative that we provide everyone with continued hands-on training because if we don’t know how to properly extinguish a structure fire, who does?
Fire dynamics Fire training must not only continue throughout a fire fighter’s career, but it must also include up-to-date innovations and/or techniques as they are introduced into the fire service. We all know how the fire service embraces change but with continuing research done by NIST and UL, Instructors should explain in detail how these scientific details improve on old techniques or methods. Roof Operations Fire dynamics is one good example of how a teaching —ignition, growth, fully-developed and decay—which technique has evolved through the years. Just as there instructors now teach to recruits. have been new ways to improve fire equipment, there have been new approaches to understanding fire behavior. Basic fire behavior is the foundation of all fire training and Many years ago, we believed and taught that there were should be taught to every fire fighter in a department at three phases, or stages, of fire: incipient, free-burning and least once a year, just as the department would require smoldering. Through further research and development, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) recertification. This however, we’ve learned that there are actually four phases instruction should include a review of the relationship between heat, fuel, oxygen and the sustaining uninhibited chemical chain reaction that makes up the fire tetrahedron, for an easy comparison take a look at your everyday wood stove and the flow of air through it. Review fire-flow formulas to ensure a safe fireground and introduction of any new developments that have been discovered to assist in the safety of fire fighters.
Why is live fire training necessary? Well if you have been outside your department lately the hot topics are situational awareness and recognition primed decision making, I call this filling the Rolodex with information for later.
“Situation awareness (SA) involves being aware of what is happening in the vicinity, in order to understand how information, events, and one’s own actions will impact goals and objectives, both immediately and in the near future. One with an adept sense of situation awareness generally has a high degree of knowledge with respect to inputs and outputs of a system, i.e. an innate “feel” for situations, people, and events that play out due to variables the subject can control. Lacking or inadequate situation awareness has been identified as one of the primary factors
8 | The Responder in accidents attributed to human error. ’[1] Thus, situation The live fire experience awareness is especially important in work domains where After fire behavior is understood, recruits move on to the the information flow can be quite high and poor decisions live-fire environment, where the basic concepts of fire may lead to serious consequences (e.g., piloting an behavior can be observed in a burn building. airplane, functioning as a soldier, or treating critically ill or injured patients.’ Wikipedia Under live-fire conditions, fire fighters can view the phases of fire and its development; the physical changes of a ‘Recognition-primed decision (RPD) is a model of how solid fuel brought about by increased heating (pyrolysis); people make quick, effective decisions when faced with the build-up of combustible gases at the ceiling; and the complex situations. In this model, the decision maker is rapid expansion and subsequent ignition of fire gases as assumed to generate a possible course of action, compare they roll across the ceiling in what is referred to as flame- it to the constraints imposed by the situation, and select over or rollover. During this exercise, fire fighters may also the first course of action that is not rejected. RPD has learn the various types of nozzle patterns and their effect been described in diverse groups including ICU nurses, on thermal layering, and how visibility can be changed by fireground commanders, chess players, and stock market upsetting the thermal layer. Note: During live-fire training, traders. It functions well in conditions of time pressure, and it’s critical that an established command system be in place. in which information is partial and goals poorly defined. It’s also an ideal time for “new” fire fighters to practice The limitations of RPD include the need for extensive the incident command system (ICS), moving in and out of experience among decision-makers (in order to correctly established divisions within the organizational structure recognize the salient features of a problem and model while effectively practicing crew integrity and personnel solutions) and the problem of the failure of recognition accountability on the training ground. and modeling in unusual or misidentified circumstances. It appears to be a valid model for how human decision- For department instructors, this is the time to observe makers make decisions.’ Wikipedia all members’ individual skill levels. They can evaluate everything from PPE to fire fighters operating their SCBA These two topics are the most frequently cited as in a stressful situation, nozzle control and hose line contributing factors in Near-Miss incidents. In the live-fire advancement. training environment, both of these skills are crucial to the success of the operation and can be repeatedly practiced Important: While conducting this type of training, all and fine-tuned with live fire training. departments should use their accountability systems just as they would (or should) on the fireground. Running live-fire
Spring/Summer 2014 | 9 training as you would on the scene of a working fire will ensure that operations will run smoothly and safely at a time when your crew can’t afford to make mistakes. If fire fighters aren’t safe during training, at the very least, they will be a danger to themselves and their crew members on the fireground.
Another advantage to live-fire drills: Fire fighters not participating in the practice can view pre-flashover, flashover and post-flashover conditions from a safe area, allowing them to develop a mental image of the fire conditions that could possibly save their lives later. Smoke conditions can also be created so fire fighters can again view them and make a mental note so they’re better equipped to make future “recognition primed command decisions” from the information Rolodex. Bonnyville Fire What does your department do for live fire training? anyone in any other profession to receive the best possible training and to maintain their skills throughout their career. One thing people may forget is that live-fire training is not Would you want a doctor who hasn’t practiced in years to an option—it’s mandatory. Unfortunately some people still perform surgery or administer advice to you or your family? don’t feel it’s an absolute necessity. The issue has therefore become a controversial one, but think about it: We expect Like those in the medical profession, fire fighters are held to a higher standard, therefore we must be prepared at all times to perform at the highest possible standards set by Proudly supporting the fire services our industry. But simulations can only take us so far. So you of Whitecourt-Ste. Anne must ask yourself if you and the others in your department • Alberta Beach • Gunn • Sangudo are truly ready to properly perform on the fireground every • Alexis Nakota • Lac Ste. Anne • Sunset Point time you leave the station. Are you really ready to provide Sioux Nation County • Whitecourt • Blue Ridge • Mayerthorpe • Wildwood safe and effective protection to someone’s home? Are you • Cherhill • Niton Junction • Woodlands completely prepared to rescue civilians trapped in life- • Darwell • Onoway County • Entwistle • Parkland County • Yellowhead threatening situations? Can you leave the scene of every • Evansburg • Peers County call you respond to knowing without a doubt that you did • Fallis • Rich Valley • Gainford • Rochfort Bridge the best you could? Many people may be surprised at their 227 Legislature Building answers to these questions. 10800 - 97 Avenue Edmonton, AB T5K 2B6 Phone: 780-415-9550 Fax: 780-415-9411 [email protected] Live fire training If you don’t have a burn building try contacting other Box 3618 4811 Crockett Street local departments and partnering with them to develop Mayerthorpe, AB T0E 1N0 a program; you may be able to pool your funds to build Phone: 780-786-1997 Fax: 780-786-1995 a burn building. There are efficient, cost effective options Toll-Free: 1-800-786-7136 available right here in Alberta. [email protected] As I said before, live-fire training is not an option—it’s George VanderBurg, MLA mandatory. Training in the same environment in which Whitecourt-Ste. Anne Constituency we work may not guarantee our safety, but it certainly vanderburg.mypcmla.ca Sign up for the eNewsletter improves the odds in our favor when we step off the truck.
10 | The Responder Commitment, Caring, Remembering By Brian Stecyk
In the summer of 2014, ground breaking will occur for a new fire hall in DeBolt.
On your way to the 2014 AFCA convention you Serving this area as Manager of Protective Services for the travelled through or over the MD of Greenview unless you MD of Greenview is a new experience for Jeff Francis. He came from further north. If you travelled along Highway started as a volunteer fire fighter in 1988 on Mayne Island 43 you arrived in Greenview about 40 km before you one of the BC Gulf Islands. He served as chief from 2003 reached Fox Creek. If you travelled the scenic Highway 40 to 2013, when he and his wife decided to make Valleyview route you entered Greenview about 30 km before you and the MD of Greenview their new home. arrived at Grande Cache. “It is amazingly different,” says Jeff, “but we like it. The The sprawling MD covers approximately 33,000 square people we work with are great and we have a good kilometres of forested foothills and productive farmlands working relationship with all the municipalities.” making it the third largest rural municipality in Alberta. It includes the Towns of Grande Cache, Fox Creek and “The regional cooperation and collaboration is enabling Valleyview and the hamlets of Little Smoky, Ridgevalley, us to participate in building new fire halls and emergency DeBolt, Landry Heights, and Grovedale. It is also home to response facilities. We are working with all our urban the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation. communities plus Falher and the MD of Smoky River. We also have a mutual aid agreement with the City of Grande It is easy to see that first responders have to work together Prairie. We are looking to a long-term view with expanded in this large region. Fire departments are located in the facilities that can accommodate growth for up to 50 urban centres of Fox Creek, Valleyview, DeBolt, Grovedale years.” and Grande Cache. An isolated emergency call in the forested resource area can take an hour or more to reach “Our MD Council is a strong supporter of our emergency and often rough roads and weather conditions can make services and significant changes are underway. New response even more difficult. The recent acquisition of a equipment is on its way for Fox Creek (pumper rescue Rosenbauer Timberwolf 4 x 4 has helped with rescue on truck); Valleyview (new engine and super water tender); industrial roads. and DeBolt (new engine). Grovedale has already received three new pieces of equipment. Later this summer
Spring/Summer 2014 | 11 ground breaking will occur for new fire halls in DeBolt and The MD also owns a boat which is used for water rescue Grovedale. Once they are completed we will be talking to in cooperation with the County of Grande Prairie and the the councils in Grande Cache and Fox Creek about new fire City of Grande Prairie. Area rivers are popular recreational halls in those communities. attractions and when occasional accidents happen river rescues are required. The Grovedale Fire Department has “One of our biggest challenges is training. Many of our recently received delivery of a specially equipped Ford F350 members are working long hours or shift work and which will be used to pull their swift water rescue jet boat. just can’t travel for training. Our answer is to bring the instructors to the fire fighters. We need increased training. Bill Parsons, Grovedale Fire Chief reports the fire department Except for the fire chief in Grande Cache everyone is a has also recently received a new pumper truck and a volunteer, adds Jeff.” command vehicle. “These will really help. Most of our activities involve medical co-response, motor vehicle Most of the MD is part of the green area of Alberta which is accidents; and then structural and wildland fires (in that managed by the provincial department of Environment and order)”, he says. Sustainable Resource Development. Area fire departments are usually the first responders until ESRD can get to the Bill is a typical volunteer. “I joined the fire department 21 scene. The departments do not respond to industrial years ago at age 17 because of my interest in community incidents except when requested to support ESRD. involvement. I have been chief for five years. There is a
Grande Cache Fire Department. (Photo courtesy of Brian Lott).
Valleyview Regional Emergency Services Complex.
12 | The Responder The great volunteers of the Grovedale Fire Department are ready to take on any emergency thanks to great training and commitment to excellence. (Photo courtesy Captain Shawn Clarke, Grovedale FD). great deal of satisfaction in what we do and working with Emergency Services Bursary. In addition to creating a the other 25 volunteers is like being part of an extended memorial legacy for their son, they wanted to encourage community family.” other young people to pursue emergency service careers. This generosity has led to $67,250 in bursaries to over 60 One of the MD of Greenview’s public figures, Alberta’s individuals seeking an opportunity to work in emergency Minister of Transportation and Minister of Infrastructure services in northern Alberta. Recipients of the bursaries were Wayne Drysdale, served as a volunteer fire fighter in students from throughout the Peace River country. Most of Grovedale. “I volunteered for about eight years until I was the bursaries were matched with a Northern Development elected to municipal council in 1992,” says Wayne. Grant.
“We responded to almost as many MVAs as we did fires. “The good news is that many are still in the emergency We had a good relationship with the RCMP and worked field,” says Sherry Drysdale. “We often see them around closely with them. It seems most residential fires were Grande Prairie.” related to thawing things out when it was extremely cold in January. Responding was particularly difficult in a small community where there was a good chance we would know the family in need of help. Some of the incidents Smith Brownlee & Associates Inc. we responded to are still with me today—one just cannot Providing Successful Solutions forget the tragedies—it is one of the most difficult aspects The Smith Brownlee & Associates Inc. consulting team has extensive of being a first responder and everyone who is involved Smith Brownlee & Associates Inc. consulting team has extensive experienceexperience assisting public safety agencies,agencies, providing providing services: services: with EMS has to learn to deal with it,” says Wayne. “It’s not • Researching, Researching, Costing,Costing, Procurement Procurement and & ImplementationImplementation ofof TechnologyTechnology easy!” • Application Management and Business Analysis Application Management and Business Analysis • Project and Change Management Project and Change Management • Business Intelligence - Call us for a demo of our Queryosity© tool Tragically, Troy Drysdale, son of Wayne and Sherry, was Business Intelligence - Call us for a demo of our Queryosity© tool We apply our experience to help your organization with killed in an accident in 2001. He also had been a volunteer We apply our expertise to help your organization with its business its business strategy and processes to deliver significant, with the Grovedale Fire Department and was pursuing a strategy and processes to deliver significant, sustainable results. sustainable results. CONTACT career in emergency services when the accident occurred. To learn more... Phone: A memorial decal graces every Grovedale Fire Department To Learn more...phone: (250) 338 - 1944(250)338.1944 vehicle. Contact Usemail: [email protected]: US visit: www.smithbrownlee.comwww.smithbrownlee.com
The Drysdale family established the Troy Drysdale Memorial
Spring/Summer 2014 | 13 In 2013 the Troy Drysdale Memorial Bursary became The fires the DeBolt Fire Department responded to.” Troy Drysdale Endowment Fund. Family members decided to change the direction of the fund and announced “Being involved with the fire department gives Alicia and I a renaming and donation of $144,000 to the Queen an opportunity to give back to the community and being Elizabeth II Hospital Foundation. chief is an honour. One of the challenges we have,” adds Tom, “is recruitment. It’s a constant activity.” Cindy Park, Executive Director of the QE II Hospital Foundation, expressed appreciation for the donation, The fire department is proud of it Junior Fire Fighter “We are thrilled to work with the Drysdale Endowment Program. “We have had a few 16 year-olds participate. Committee to ensure the funds are allocated to a part of They work with the equipment, take courses and the new hospital where we feel Troy’s legacy will live on. participate in meetings and other activities but they do not We are so grateful and know that many hospital users will respond to fires until they are 18 years of age. The program benefit from this kind gift.” is of interest to students considering a career in fire fighting or EMS. One of our Junior Fire Fighters went onto a career Sherry Drysdale adds, “The actual allocation of the funds in the medical field while two others are still with the will be towards something in the Emergency Services Area. department today. We are just starting another program Once the hospital is closer to completion the hospital and have two interested participants,” says Tom. management will provide us with options.” The new hospital is expected to open in 2017. Tom offered some comments on the nature of a fire chief’s job saying it is a lot about leadership and the ability to deal Another area resident is also giving back to the community. with people however irate they are. “It’s all part of the turf Current DeBolt Fire Chief and MD of Greenview Councillor and goes with the territory,” he says. Tom Burton has been with the DeBolt fire department for over 20 years and became chief in 1995. His wife Alisa “We are extremely proud of all our fire fighters. Most are serves as secretary for the 20 member unit. volunteers who take time away from their families, work, and recreational activities to protect our citizens and our “One of the most devastating feelings one can ever have communities. They do it willingly with pride and often is watching their home burn,” says Chief Burton. “That is do not get the praise they deserve. On behalf of all the exactly what happened to Alicia and me. Just two years residents of the MD of Greenview, I offer our heartfelt after our marriage we were living along the Young’s Point thanks and appreciation,” concludes Jeff Francis. Road when our home caught on fire. It was one of the first
Fox Creek is much more than the highway commercial facilities along Highway 43. Take the time to drive into the community—you will be surprised at what you see.
14 | The Responder We are extremely proud of “all our fire fighters. Most are
volunteers who take time
away from their families, work, and recreational activities“ to Grovedale Fire Department Captain Shawn protect our citizens and our Clarke dives in during white water river rescue training exercises. (Photo courtesy communities. Captain Shawn Clarke, Grovedale FD).
Are you using this? You should! (See page 35)
Spring/Summer 2014 | 15 Captain Gorrie Fire Chief (l) is retiring this summer. The new chief Lieutenant Jean-Guy Mayer (r) is preparing to assume the Fire Chief responsibilities.
Fire Services Fuelledby Passion
By Brian Stecyk
The first thing one notices when meeting Edmonton Garrison Fire Chief Captain Allan Gorrie is how passionate Recruitment is not a real issue he is about the responsibilities he has. Even though he is only a few months away from retirement his enthusiasm “because fire fighting is the most is contagious as he explains what he and his fellow fire fighters do at Canadian Forces Base Edmonton. sought after trade in the military after search and rescue.“ Fire fighting in a military environment can be a challenging experience. Fire fighters have to be trained Intake isn’t the problem— to do it all and not necessarily in the same conditions retention is. traditional fire fighters work in.
16 | The Responder This 1950 Jeep was the Fire Chief’s vehicle in Goose Bay A helmet collection is just one of the things you can see when Labrador. you visit the Edmonton Garrison Fire Department.
The Edmonton Garrison Fire Department usually has a one hour per day for fitness and two hours a day for complement of 35 members including the fire chief and training. We have our own training facilities at CFB deputy chief with 27 or 28 current operational members. Edmonton including a live-burn training tower and a crash/ Numbers may vary because of postings, deployment or rescue live burn pit,” adds Chief Gorrie. The live-burn pit retirement. is a Class B liquid burn pit, 30 metres in diameter with a recovery system including a fuel separator. The Edmonton “Recruitment is not a real issue because fire fighting is the facility is the only aircraft Rescue and firefighting training most sought after trade in the military after search and outside of the Canadian Forces Fire Academy in Borden rescue. Intake isn’t the problem—retention is. The strong Ontario. economy in Alberta is difficult to compete with. Often our members are attracted to high salaries offered by private industry and industry likes them because of how well trained our fire fighters are,” says Chief Gorrie. PRO-SAFE Municipal fire fighters never have to think about Fire Training Systems Inc. deployment but those in the military do. They are always on-call for deployment to domestic or overseas locations. They may be called to active war zones such as existed in Bosnia and Afghanistan or to rescue and relief events such as following the Haiti earthquake. www.prosafefire.com In war zones camp safety is the priority and training of locals is an important activity. When military fire fighters Proudly MADE IN CANADA go beyond the camp walls it is often to respond to motor vehicle situations or explosions from IUDs.
“Training and fitness is key to our readiness. We allocate Training Todays Heroes.
Spring/Summer 2014 | 17 This Fort Garry Triple Combination Pumper is used for structural, emergency medical and hazardous material response.
“One of our primary functions is crash, fire and rescue response, structural fire response and safety inspection protection for the 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron. We and instruction” says Chief Gorrie. “We have equipment to are also trained for hazardous materials response, confined respond to all these situations.” space rescue, high angle response, emergency medical The incoming Fire Chief, Lieutenant Jean-Guy Mayer (now Assistant Fire Chief) will likely take over as Fire Chief in mid- July. Like Chief Gorrie, he is also originally from Edmonton, he has been with the Forces for 18 years including 12 as a Training, Equipment & Services fire fighter. His trade is construction engineering and he has just completed phase 3 and phase 4 training. Operational Range Expand Your “I went from Edmonton to Victoria where I served with the Swiftwater Navy (as an Air Force fire fighter) and then to Comox. In all, Rescue I have had seven or eight different posting. All military fire Technician fighters are members of the Air Force—regardless of where Training Respond to incidents they serve. That means that recruits from the a Army or in swiftwater Navy are transferred to the Air Force,” says Deputy Mayer.
EQUIPMENT SALES AVAILABLE “All senior fire fighters have experience in Air Force, Personal Protective Gear Navy and Army locations and most have experience in 1-800-880-0287 Rope, Carabiners, & Harnesses www.ravenrescue.com Specialty Rescue Gear Afghanistan, Bosnia or elsewhere. We have to be ready to
18 | The Responder He is a retired military fire chief now a civilian and he
understands our systems. All facilities are inspected
regularly—even the PMQs to ensure safety. We also are We are not just “ involved in most military and public events to ensure safety “ fire fighters— of guests and protection of facilities.” we are soldiers first! Fire Inspector Shand is also a collector of fire fighting apparatus. He has a display of fire fighter helmets and the main hallway is covered with historic images of firefighting equipment that was once used by military fire fighters. It is deploy to any situation and have to know that fire fighting something to see. on ships is different than on land. Ships include Sea King helicopters and training in aircraft related fire prevention CFB Edmonton has a mutual aid agreement with Sturgeon and response is essential,” adds Mayer. County. “In the past we have responded to a few requests—a grain elevator fire and more often to motor “We have very few fires because we emphasize fire vehicle accidents. Because we are located along Highway prevention. One of the initiatives we have done is to have 28, we often are the first on scene at MVAs. On the every adult on the base—military and civilian—trained in base, the most common problem is vehicles catching fire the action to take in the event of a fire and how to use because of over-heating brakes or fuel pump problems,” fire extinguishers. That has been a great benefit. Most says Gorrie. fires are quickly put out and often do not involve the fire department,” adds Chief Gorrie. The fire department responds to situations that are uniquely military. Occasionally wildland fires may start “In addition our Fire Inspector Stephen Shand is busy. because of the use of phosphorus rounds as tracers on
This Crash Vehicle is a Waltek 4500. It is used to respond to Crash Fire Fighting and Rescue, High Hazard Response and for Precautionary Standby Operations related to air services at CFB Edmonton. Spring/Summer 2014 | 19 Are you using this? You should! (See page 35)
the firing ranges. These situations are also minimized by thorough training of site personnel.
“We are not just fire fighters—we are soldiers first!” says Gorrie. “Every member has to qualify each year on the range just as other military personnel do.”
Deputy Chief, Master Warrant Officer William Elliott reports, “In 2013, the fire department responded to 283 calls. Up to May this year we have reached 103 responses. Of these 28 were medical responses (all members are trained in EMR); a few were MVAs mostly due to road conditions and a couple of roll-overs happened during intensive military vehicle training.”
“I always wanted to be a fire fighter and that’s how I started in the military. Now it’s 35 years and time to do other things,” says Chief Gorrie. “I have great memories. One of the best is working as a fire fighter at CFB Cold Lake during Maple Flag when the Canadian Air Force and air forces from allied countries get together for training. Every type of plane is there from small fighters and helicopters to heavy transport planes and airborne command centres. We had to position our fire trucks between the inner and outer runways because there was no way to respond because of the continual use of both runways and sometimes a 20 | The Responder third one. There were literally hundreds of take-offs and landings. It was amazing to see.”
When asked what he liked best about his career as fire fighter, Chief Gorrie responded, “I like the adrenaline rush that a fire fighter has when he is running in to solve an issue while everyone is running out! There is also a great sense of relief and satisfaction when the job is done and there is minimal damage and where lives are saved.”
An initiative at the Edmonton Garrison Fire Department is to have “Visiting fire fighters are welcome—we would love to the names of fire fighters who have died during their military service placed on the fronts to fire fighting vehicles. show them around and share experiences with them,” concludes Captain Gorrie.
Lakeside living awaits you. • Camping • RV spaces • Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Seasonal Rates • Beach • Playgrounds • Water sports and much more
Located just 10 minutes from Sherwood Park and Visit: www.halfmoonlake.ca 20 minutes from Edmonton. or Call: 780-922-3045
Spring/Summer 2014 | 21
InspiredWines by Flames By Brian Stecyk
22 | The Responder It was devastating—we lost
“ all our buildings and on our adjacent Oak Bay vineyard“ only our warehouse and a home survived.
There wasn’t anything left to salvage.
The summer of 2003 saw British Columbia ablaze— fires threatened communities and destroyed homes and livelihoods. It was a summer of extreme heat and drought and it took its toll on people and resources.
The Okanagan Park Fire which started by a lightning strike on August 16, 2003 involved response from 60 fire departments across B.C., over 1,000 forestry fire fighters, contractors and loggers as well as 1,400 members of the Canadian Armed Forces. It was a major natural disaster. More than 27,000 people were evacuated and 239 homes were destroyed in Kelowna.
One of the casualties was St. Hubertus Winery located on the southeastern side of Kelowna. “It was devastating— we lost all our buildings. On our adjacent Oak Bay vineyard only our warehouse and a home survived,” says Leo Gebert owner of St. Hubertus. “Oh, on the St. Hubertus site the outhouse was still standing!”
Spring/Summer 2014 | 23 The Gebert family purchased the vineyard in 1984 and started an extensive replant program.
A video from 1967 http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=pygrX9mULu0 shows the viewer the early history of growing grapes at St. Hubertus Vineyard and in the Okanagan Valley
I spent some time Mr. Hughes, its original owner had planted the first grapes
in“ the United States before in the 1920. It was an excellent location just on the east
side of Lake Okanagan. St. Hubertus is one of British choosing Canada. Columbia’s oldest continuous vineyards. His brother Andy I like it here and“ arrived from Switzerland a few years later and joined the Winery in 1994. Together the brothers have about 78 acres Canada is a great place of some of the best grape growing lands in the Okanagan to live. region. “I spent some time in the United States before choosing Canada. I like it here and Canada is a great place to live,” adds Leo.
“In 1992 we received our BC license—I believe it was #16 or #17 in the province. There are now over 300 licensed wineries. We grow a variety of grapes and produce only our own Estate Wines. Everything we produce is grown,
Hawkeye Marine Group
All you need is one lucky hook and a great fishing hole! You bring one—we’ve got the other. Stay at one of our pristine lodges in Bamfield, Vancouver Island and let’s talk fishing!
• Kingfisher Lodge
• Ostroms Lodge
• Hawkeye House www.hawkeyemarinegroup.com 1•877•728•FISH (3474)
• Bamfield Trails Lodge SALMON • HALIBUT • TUNA • STEELHEAD
24 | The Responder Five dollars from every bottle of the 10-year anniversary wine was donated to the Kelowna Professional Fire Fighters Charitable Society. Here they receive a cheque for $6,000. processed and bottled on site. That way we can ensure the had to train them again but in two years it was impossible wine meets our high expectations,” states Leo. to see they had been damaged.”
“Then came the fire! The moment the fire was over we When the fire struck many of the grapes were ready to began rebuilding. We still had wine to sell because our harvest but they couldn’t be used. They had absorbed warehouse had been saved—but we had a lot to do. Fortunately we didn’t have to wait for the insurance Welcome to the many delegates attending the Alberta Fire Chiefs Association Annual adjustment before we started. We were able to find Convention. While in Grande Prairie, do contractors and we were up and running within a month take a few hours to travel a little north and and we were able to participate in the annual Okanagan see what our communities have to offer, Wine Festival in October.” including the Dunvegan historical site on the Mighty Peace or the largest bee in Falher. The fire didn’t wipe out the whole vineyard. Only the first Hector Goudreau, MLA 40 to 50 rows were gone and fortunately the grape roots Dunvegan-Central Peace-Notley were not destroyed. “They all came back,” says Leo. “We goudreau.mypcmla.ca
Spring/Summer 2014 | 25 Last year was the 10th anniversary “ of the Okanagan Park Fire and we decided to commemorate the recovery
from the event with a limited edition
production of both wines. We held a design contest among students who “ were six to 12 years of age (in 2003), for special commemorative labels.
smoke and when fermented tasted like ashes. Some grapes Vancouver when we saw the huge plume of smoke rising that weren’t ready were harvested later and thanks to help from the Barriere fire and the amount of effort involved in from neighbouring vintners were made into wine. fighting it. We decided we should create a wine to honour the bravery and sacrifices of the fire fighters. It was two Shortly after the fire and one of the first products weeks later the Okanagan fire broke out,” explains Leo. produced were two wines—Fireman’s Red and Glowing Amber. “Contrary to most thinking these wines were not The first bottles of Fireman’s Red and Glowing Amber were a response to the Okanagan Park Fire. We returned from available by the end of November 2002. Fireman’s Red is a
Are you using this? You should! (See page 35)
26 | The Responder blend of Marechal Foch and Chambourcin grapes. Glowing St. Hubertus and Oak Bay wines are marketed throughout Amber is a Chardonnay. Alberta, NWT, Saskatchewan and Manitoba by Beverage International Distributor (BID) of Grande Prairie. “We have “Last year was the 10th anniversary of the Okanagan Park been working with Leo and Andy since 2001. We wanted Fire and we decided to commemorate the recovery from to represent their wines because they are excellent wines the event with a limited edition production of both wines. which in my view are among the best wines from British We held a design contest among students who were six Columbia. We especially like their blending of new and to 12 years of age (in 2003), for special commemorative old world technology to winemaking. The Fireman’s Red labels. should be of special interest to fire fighters for their special events,” says Darrel Dola. “Non-fire fighters should also like Our goal was to recognize and thank the fire fighters, Fireman’s Red because it is just a darn good wine!” volunteers, and community members who guided the battle and the recovery. In addition, we donated $5.00 for Anyone interested in learning more about St. Hubertus each bottle sold to the Kelowna Professional Fire Fighters Wines should visit their website at www.st-hubertus.bc.ca Charitable Society. All 1,200 bottles sold and we presented or consider visiting the tasting room at the winery next a cheque for $6,000,” concludes Leo. time you are in the Okanagan. If you are in Alberta and interested in ordering for an event it is easy to order from Online reviews of St. Hubertus and Oak Bay vineyards are your local liquor outlet. If you are in NWT, Saskatchewan or extremely positive. Posters express appreciation for high Manitoba send Beverage International Distributor an email: quality wines and great hospitality at the tasting room on [email protected]. BC residents should go to the St. Hubertus Estate. (“We haven’t been to the winery www.st-hubertus.bc.ca to find a representative. but my wife and I thoroughly enjoyed Fireman’s Red,” editor.)
Yo u Think You’re Having A Bad Day?
In Alberta, order Fireman’s Red at your local liquor outlet. Residents of other provinces send an email [email protected]
Learn about our amazing global wines, spirits and beers at www.bid-wine.ca
Okanagan Park Fire
Spring/Summer 2014 | 27 Winning Entry Results in New Rescue Truck By Brian Stecyk
Just what would you do if a senior with a walker could get to an accident scene more quickly than your rescue Just what would you do if vehicle? “ a senior with a walker That was the situation facing the Marwayne Volunteer Fire could get to an accident “ Department. After years of fundraising they raised $70,000 but even with $75,000 from the County of Vermilion River scene more quickly than the community was still $50,000 short of their goal. They your rescue vehicle? decided to enter a contest to win enough money to reach their fundraising goal.
The following is the written portion of their submission to communities. Each year they award five $50,000 grants for the UFA Rural from the Roots Up – Get ‘n’ Give Contest. initiatives that improve the quality of life in rural Alberta. The UFA looks for projects that support and enrich rural “Now when we say we are in desperate need, we mean it! We have responded to calls this past year where our Rescue Unit did not make it to the motor vehicle accident we were enroute to. Our Rescue Unit either broke down along the way or we could not get it started to leave the fire hall.
On one occasion there was a patient trapped and we wasted valuable life saving time flagging down trucks to haul us and our equipment to the scene. Our rescue unit carries life saving tools that are necessary to remove a person who is trapped in their vehicle.
(Continued on page 30.)
Even the youngest Marwayne residents enjoyed the celebration.
28 | The Responder Now when we say we are in
“desperate need, we mean it! We have responded to calls this past year where our Rescue Unit did “ not make it to the motor vehicle accident we were enroute to. It is difficult to respond to emergency situations when you have to wait for a tow truck for your Rescue Unit.
Marwayne Fire Department members are joined by UFA visitors who tried on the bunker gear.
Spring/Summer 2014 | 29 Teresa Miskie, Tara Wood, and Roger Parkyn, Deputy Chief are thankful for the UFA Get ‘n’ Give contest. Marwayne will have the responsibility of picking the next winner from applications received next fall when the program resumes.
Getting this equipment to the scene of an accident in a timely manner is critical to saving lives. Expertise isn't an option, it's a must We need support! It is not just the people who live in Marwayne that we respond to. A lot of people don’t realize In emergency services, that as soon as you leave city limits you are in the hands you have to prepare for of a volunteer Fire and Rescue Department. We roughly the unexpected. Be ready cover 2000 sq. km. The wait time for an ambulance out for what comes next with of Lloydminster to Marwayne can be anywhere from 30- training from Lakeland 40 minutes depending on road conditions, weather and College Emergency availability. An ambulance is not equipped with the Jaws of Training Centre. Life or other cutting equipment that is needed to extricate trapped patients. It is vital that we do not lose this service in our area just because we do not have a reliable vehicle to • NFPA 472 Dangerous Goods carry our equipment. • NFPA 1001 Firefighter • NFPA 1006 Technical Rescuer Marwayne Fire and Rescue is a volunteer department • NFPA 1031 Fire Inspector serving the Village of Marwayne and the surrounding • NFPA 1033 Fire Investigator communities within the County of Vermilion River (approx. • Basic Safety Codes Officer 2,000 people). Marwayne is located in Canada’s mid-west on an extremely busy oil corridor with over 2,500 vehicles 1 800 661 6490 • www.lc-etc.ca per day travelling through the area we service. We are approximately 15 minutes from the Alberta-Saskatchewan
30 | The Responder
Department: Emergency Training Centre Code: 12_6107_AFCAGazetteMagazine Paper: AFCA Gazette Magazine Cost centre: 01 2092 INS 55040 Size: 3.625” x 4.75” Full colour 1/4 page Vertical Cost: Code: 12_6107_AFCAGazetteMagazine Graphic designer: Denise Allen Lakeland College 1 800 661 6490 ext. 8513 [email protected]
14_7340_ETC_AFCAGazetteMagazine.indd 1 29/05/14 11:33 AM border to the east and 10 minutes north of Highway 16. department to help with equipment and training,” adds We provide emergency fire, rescue and first response Teresa. services. We have about 10 dedicated members and we respond to an average of 62 calls per year.” “Entering the UFA contest was our second try and when we got the call it was April Fool’s Day – we we’re excited That was their first step. To support their submission they but not sure if we should believe it or not. We knew for became movie producers. Led by a volunteer fire fighter sure when UFA visited Marwayne for a celebration at the they created a spectacular tribute to the silent film era to end of April.” demonstrate the reality of trying to be an effective response team with equipment that doesn’t function. It is a must see Kevin Hoppins, Chairman of the Board of UFA while visiting video—go to www.youtube.com and put Marwayne Fire in Marwayne to officially present the $50,000 cheque to the the search box. Be sure to watch it all. community said, “In my background as a volunteer fireman it was strictly volunteer—the training, the hours, the calls— “Marwayne is a great community and our fire department no matter what time of day. A lot of people look to the fire has a lot of support. At the same time we were raising department as a sort of role model as they realize it takes money in the community for a rescue truck the community everybody to make the community fit.” Kevin is a fourth raised $3 million for a new community hall,” says Teresa generation farmer from the Huxley area. In the spring 2013 Miskie, secretary treasurer of the Marwayne Volunteer Fire issue of The Responder, Kevin Hoppins was recognized for Department. 28 years of volunteer fire fighter service.
“Raising money wasn’t easy. We produced calendars and The new Rescue Truck is on order and will be delivered at sold them to raise $10,000 and all members of the fire the end of August. A special celebration will be held during department donated their honourariums to the fire the annual Fire Department and Agricultural Society BBQ in October.
Communications when it matters
most. WCIWHYTE COMMUNICATIONS INC. FLEET SERVICES • In building coverage extenders Toll Free: 1.800.203.7938 • Vehicle repeaters [email protected] www.wcifs.ca • Dispatch solutions
Spring/Summer 2014 | 31 Shipping Oil by Rail— Threat to Communities and First Responders
By Brian Stecyk
This sign along TransCanada Highway 16 makes an ironic statement about the Gainford derailment.
In the last few years derailments of trains with petroleum gas (propane). One exploded upon derailment. tanker cars filled with petroleum products have devastated This time it wasn’t a small regional carrier but Canada’s communities and disrupted countless lives. In 2013 there biggest railway—CN. In every instance it was local first were 108 petroleum/train related incidents in the U.S. up responders who took action. from only nine in 2010. Although some incidents were very small others were large and dramatic. More and more oil is The response from the Parkland County Fire Department being shipped by rail as debate over pipelines continues. was immediate. Approximately 120 people were evacuated. The Yellowhead Highway was closed and Albertans may recall the train derailment in 2005 that traffic had to detour. The fire eventually spread across the put approximately 1 million litres of bunker C oil and pole highway. Fortunately damage was minimized and there treating oil into Lake Wabamun. The cleanup and recovery was no loss of life or serious injury. “Our primary concern of the lake took years to be completed. was safety of residents and travellers. The potential for a huge explosion of propane gases was a real concern In Lac-Megantic, Quebec 74 cars derailed and many of and one that potentially endangered people as far as them exploded. The devastation that followed showed the a kilometre away,” says Parkland County Fire Chief Jim significance of the event—47 people killed, 30 buildings Phelan. completely destroyed and a close-knit community torn apart in the worst Canadian rail disaster since 1864. Parkland County declared a local state of emergency. It was early morning and most people were sleeping at the Is it a sign of the times? Just a few months later 12 cars left time of the accident. “All were cooperative and left to stay the tracks near Gainford about 90 km west of Edmonton. with friends or relatives or to the Entwistle Community Hall Nine of the cars were pressurized and filled with liquefied where they were provided with food and shelter. One of
32 | The Responder
The pressurized “ tanks created a Some people left their unique hazard for first responders. “pets, their medications The huge fire plume resulted from venting and even false teeth. and burning the propane.
the things we didn’t have was a check list of what people five days, a variety of problems became apparent. A should take with them,” says Jim. “Some people left their report produced by ERI Canada for Parkland County pets, their medications and even false teeth. During the identified some of the challenges and made a number of event responders had to feed pets and make arrangements recommendations for future response situations. for people to pick up the essentials they needed. We will know better next time.” The report was developed with input from responders that was obtained through an online survey and a two group The propane was mixed with crude oil in eight of the sessions. The consensus among the responders was that cars. The remainder contained crude oil only. The cars the situation was well handled but that some changes with propane were vented and the contents burned. could be made to make the response even more effective. Considering a ratio of 700-1 of LPG to vapour the volume to burn was immense. With 120,000 gallons of liquid The recommendations, although related directly to the CN/ propane to burn it was a big task. GainfordFDM incident, Records can likely Management be applied to any response teamfor involved Fire in anda derailment EMS situation—especially the Responding isn’t easy. Although the flames were utilization ofFast, an accurateIncident and Command easy to use. System (ICS) and a extinguished and people were back in their homes in Unified Commandcomprehensive (UC). modules, from incidents to training to reporting and bi.
cad | rmS | buSineSS intelligence fdmsoft.com 800.986.9941 FDM CAD: Single-click Access to Related Records Keeps You Fast & Safe • Property, Contact and HAZMAT details at your fingertips with our integrated Records Management System database for the best pre-arrival prep. • Proven uptime of 99.999% FDMSOFT.COM 1 800/604.986.9941 [email protected] This aerial view shows the scattered wreckage at the derailment scene.
Spring/Summer 2014 | 33 STRUCTURE - organizational components and their relationship Finding Recommendation 1. CN did not use the Unified Command concept as designed; 1. Before agreeing to a UC, have the required Commanders meet it was not an effective “partnership”. CN seemed to make to agree on how UC will work among the Commanders. If unilateral decisions or not inform Parkland County of such this can’t be achieved, then Parkland should maintain its own decisions and had some “closed door meetings”. command. 2. The roles, responsibilities, and authority among the EOC, the 2. Gain a clearer ICS understanding of the roles of field commands, field incident site, and the reception center at times were EOC, Aocnd Policy Group. Get buy-in before the incident and blurred. “test” via table-top discussions /exercises with appropriate. 3. There was some confusion/uncertainty as to who was doing 3. An organization chart should be displayed and individuals filling what at a given location internally and externally. It is the person key positions should be identified with position vest or badge. activated in a particular position who has responsibility/authority for that task.
PROCEDURES - how to accomplish tasks and what to avoid Finding Recommendation 1. Security into the incident area or the EOC was not always well 1. Have access badges and sign in points; all should wear these controlled. identifiers when filling that role. There should be status accountability of responders, such as with a streamlined passport system. 2. At times and for certain positions, a “start-of-work” overall, 2. Have all receive a start-of-operational period brief, including any safety, and task briefing didn’t occur, or what they did wasn’t safety issues, and a task assignment-specific briefing. always passed on to their relief. 3. At times, facilities/venues didn’t have an Incident Action Plan. 3. Activate a scribe or clerk to assist the IC or EOCM. Capture prioritized objectives, organization, assignments, and safety concerns. Ideally use ICS.
COMMUNICATIONS - how to communicate among facilities Finding Recommendation 1. Staff at facilities (venues) was often out of touch with the 1. Leverage a web-based streamlined document system for status actions at the other venues or with those at the same venue reports and updates. from a prior period. 2. Communication with the public was not uniform during the 2. Responders should be provided with reference cards to promote evacuation or re-entering phase. a more uniform “what to take and when to leave” message. 3. Meaningful communication, in keeping with Parkland County’s 3. If a Joint Information Centre approach can be achieved, Parkland principles, was negatively impacted by CN. County should ensure the residents are informed.
FACILITIES - what facilities are needed, where/when should they be established Finding Recommendation 1. The Incident Command Post at the incident site was not 1. The County command trailer should be used within the first sufficient and, according to some, not marked well. operation period if a larger one from AEMA or Edmonton isn’t available. If there are multiple trailers or facilities, ensure the active command post is clearly marked and communicated to others. 2. Rest areas on site were limited or not available: this would 2. If local hotels/housing is not available, consider establishing a have been even more important if roads were not passable for camp for responders with county resources or via the Red Cross responders. or other support group. 3. There was some uncertainly as to where to check-in for the field. 3. Establish a staging area(s) as soon as it is clear that the incident is expanding, and especially if some responders will be coming from outside the county.
34 | The Responder EQUIPMENT - what we need at the facilities Finding Recommendation 1. A ready kit for the reception centre was needed, with supplies 1. Have pre-assembled kits in a trailer or multiple large plastic to run the centre for the community residents as well as support containers. Have past reception centre staff develop list, the reception centre staff. including signage and communication material and submit within 45 days to appropriate party for approval. Determine where and how to store them. 2. Some fire equipment couldn’t be used - i.e., the fittings/threads 2. Identify what equipment is not compatible internally. When were not compatible. requesting resources, ensure limitations are known. 3. Job “aids” were not always available. 3. EOC and reception centre should have/leverage desk booklets and have, as part of the hot wash, the personnel that used the booklets take suggestions via an online secure web tool.
RESOURCES - how we staff our facilities Finding Recommendation 1. Some staff worked too long a period, without a meal or ready 1. Utilize the Operations Planning Worksheet or similar tool for access to rest-rooms, or had long commutes to housing. resource and personnel scheduling. No one should be asked to work beyond a safe timeframe 2. The reception centre had press in the area and some residents 2. Staff the reception centre with a Public Information Officer. Have might have needed medical assistance. All have need for timely, a medical and support contact source at the EOC such that accurate, best-available information. personnel when needed can be quickly acquired. 3. Some felt underutilized or were never called, while others felt 3. Have/vet a County personnel list that indicates availability, what they worked too long to be efficient. the person is qualified for, and how to reach them. Place this at a secure web location, so that individuals can review and adjust quarterly. 4. There was a need for pipeline, electrical, and other potential 4. Update a technical specialist roster that corresponds to the pre- hazard information. identified hazard plans or coordinate with AEMA to have better rapid access to these specialists for EOC or field advice.
TRAINING - what initial training and ongoing training is needed Finding Recommendation 1. Most county employees don’t have any ICS training. 1. Provide ICS 100, 200, and 300 training opportunities and follow up with table-top exercise opportunities working towards a full- scale exercise. 2. Only a select few have EOC position-specific training. 2. Provide EOC position-specific training opportunities and follow up with table-top exercise opportunities working towards a full- scale exercise. 3. There isn’t a dedicated full-time emergency manager. 3. Consider the cost/benefit of having a full-time emergency manager for Parkland County.
If you have been using the recruitment messages the AFCA has produced for you, you will be able to use this logo much more often. Learn more about recruitment and retention on the AFCA website.
Spring/Summer 2014 | 35 There will come a time when lives will depend on the reliability of your communications equipment. 2014 Westcan ACS leads the industry in system design and implementation; consoles and dispatch network infrastructure; and P25 & compatible 30 digital/conventional portable & mobile radio solutions.
Delivering unprecedented interoperability, ease of use and forward compatibility, Westcan ACS is your advanced communications solutions partner. 1.800.794.3926 | Westcan-ACS.com
ADVANCED INTEROPERABILITY SOLUTIONS
Westcan ACS is the authorized dealer of the official technology supplier to AFRRCS.
36 | The Responder