Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

Pontiac Regional County Municipality

REVISED FIRE SAFETY COVER PLAN

1st of February 2017

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

In this current document, the masculine gender refers to both men and women. This grammatical form has been chosen to lighten and simplify the text.

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

Contributors

Pontiac MRC Council

∙ Raymond Durocher Mayor of Fort-Coulonge Municipality and Prefect ∙ Carl Mayer Mayor of Alleyn-et-Cawood Municipality ∙ Brent Orr Mayor of Bristol Municipality ∙ Alain Gagnon Mayor of Bryson Municipality ∙ William Stewart Mayor of Campbell’s Bay Municipality ∙ Donald Gagnon Mayor of Chichester Municipality ∙ John Armstrong Mayor of Clarendon Municipality ∙ Jean-Louis Corriveau Deputy Mayor of L’Île-du-Grand-Calumet Municipality ∙ Kim Cartier-Villeneuve Mayor Otter Lake Municipality ∙ Winston Sunstrum Mayor of L’Isle-aux-Allumettes Municipality ∙ Colleen Larivière Mayor of Litchfield Municipality ∙ Kathleen Bélec Mayor of Mansfield-et-Pontefract Municipality ∙ Lynne Cameron Mayor of Portage-du-Fort Municipality ∙ James Gibson Mayor of Rapides-des-Joachims Municipality ∙ Sandra Murray Mayor of Shawville Municipality ∙ Doris Ranger Mayor of Sheenboro Municipality ∙ Terrence Murdock Mayor of Thorne Municipality and Deputy Prefect ∙ David Rochon Mayor of Waltham Municipality

Fire Safety Services (FSS)

∙ Bristol Fire Safety Service ∙ B.GC.P. (Bryson, L’Île-du-Grand-Calumet and Portage-du-Fort) Fire Safety Service ∙ Campbell’s Bay/Litchfield Fire Safety Service ∙ Fort-Coulonge Fire Safety Service ∙ L’Isle-aux-Allumettes Fire Safety Service ∙ Kazabazua (Alleyn-et-Cawood and Kazabazua) Fire Safety Service ∙ Otter Lake Fire Safety Service ∙ Mansfield-et-Pontefract Fire Safety Service ∙ Pontiac West (Chichester, L’Isle-aux-Allumettes and Sheenboro) Fire Safety Service ∙ Shawville/Clarendon Fire Safety Service ∙ Thorne Fire Safety Service ∙ Waltham Fire Safety Service

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

Fire Safety Committee

∙ Raymond Durocher Mayor Fort-Coulonge Municipality and Prefect ∙ Terrence Murdock Mayor Thorne Municipality and Deputy Prefect ∙ Brent Orr Mayor of Bristol Municipality ∙ Alain Gagnon Mayor of Bryson Municipality ∙ Winston Sunstrum Mayor of L’Isle-aux-Allumettes Municipality ∙ Colleen Larrivière Mayor of Litchfield Municipality ∙ Kim Cartier-Villeneuve Mayor of Otter Lake Municipality ∙ Sarah Bertrand DG of Campbell’s Bay Municipality ∙ Jacques Mantha DG of L’Île-du-Grand-Calumet Municipality ∙ Fernand Roy DG of Waltham Municipality and Committee President ∙ Kevin Kluke FSS Director of Campbell’s Bay/Litchfield ∙ Darcy Bélair FSS Director of Mansfield-et-Pontefract ∙ Lee Laframboise FSS Director of Shawville/Clarendon ∙ Larry Perry FSS Director of Waltham

Ministry of Public Security

∙ Serge Fortier Fire Safety Advisor

Pontiac MRC

∙ Gabriel Lance Director General ∙ Jacques Piché Public and Civil Safety Coordinator ∙ Julien Gagnon Assistant to the Public and Civil Safety Coordinator ∙ Jonathan Perreault Fire Prevention Technician ∙ Natacha Guillemette Administrative Assistant to the Director General ∙ Guy Tellier Geomatics Technician

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

MESSAGE FROM THE WARDEN

As Warden and on behalf of my fellow Mayors of the eighteen (18) municipalities of the Pontiac Regional County Municipality, I am pleased to share with you our Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan, produced in compliance with the Fire Safety Guidelines of the Minister of Public Security.

I would like to acknowledge the tremendous progress that municipalities have made with reference to fire safety since our first Fire Safety Cover Plan was approved in 2011. We will carry on our fire safety endeavors throughout the upcoming years in order to continue serving efficiently and safely our population within the Pontiac MRC Territory.

From a comprehensive perspective, the newly Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan will imply a better organization of intervention on fire sites for municipalities within the Pontiac MRC Territory. In concrete terms, this will mean better training for Firefighters, proven equipment and a more helpful communication system. For our citizens, this also signifies a quickness of intervention in the event of a disaster and a strike force that will save more lives, preserve their assets and properties more effectively and reduce their insurance costs.

Since 2002, the Pontiac MRC Elected Representatives Council and the Fire Safety Committee (FSC), made up of Elected Municipal Officials, General Directors, Fire Safety Managers and the Public and Civil Safety Coordinator, work in partnership collegiality for the planning and design of the Fire Safety Cover Plan and in its revision, by carefully examining, one step at a time, the procedural phases provided for this purpose.

I would like to seize this opportunity to thank them all for this remarkable work, most especially Mr. Jacques Piché, our Public and Civil Safety Coordinator, who ensured the effectiveness of the entire team.

Raymond Durocher Warden Pontiac MRC

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Contributors

Message from the Warden

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION...... 9

CHAPTER 2 DESCRIPTION OF THE TERRITORY

2.1 MUNICIPALITIES PROFILES…...………………………...……………..….10

CHAPTER 3 FIRE SAFETY HISTORICAL BACKGROUND INFORMATION

3.1 MATERIAL LOSSES………………………………………………………….13 3.2 CAUSES AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF FIRES.……………….…………..15 3.3 HUMAN CASUALTIES…..…………………………………………………...16 3.4 LEGAL PROCEEDINGS………….………………………………………….16

CHAPTER 4 RISKS ANALYSIS

4.1 RISKS CLASSIFICATION…….…..………………………………………….17

CHAPTER 5 PROTECTION OBJECTIVES

5.1 OBJECTIVE 1: PREVENTION………………………………………………18 5.1.1 Incidents Evaluation and Analysis…………………………………..18 5.1.2 Municipal Fire Safety Regulations…………………..………………19 5.1.3 Smoke Detectors Operations Verification……………………...…..20 5.1.4 Higher Risks Inspection Program…………………………………...23 5.1.5 Public Awareness Program………….……..………………………..23

5.2 OBJECTIVES 2 AND 3: INTERVENTION 5.2.1 Ministerial Objectives to be Achieved…..……………………...…..24 5.2.2 Human Resources Channeling……………………………………...24 5.2.3 Water Supply………………..………………………………………...27 5.2.3.1 Municipal Aqueduct Networks.…………….……………...27 5.2.3.2 Water Supply Facilities….…..………………………...... 29 5.2.4 Intervention Equipment………………..……………………………..32 5.2.4.1 Fire Stations.………………………………………………..32 5.2.4.2 Intervention Vehicles……………………………………….36 5.2.4.3 Intervention or Protection Equipment and Accessories……………………………………...... ………39 5.2.4.4 Communication Systems………..…………………………41

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

5.2.5 Intervention Staff……………..………………………………………42 5.2.5.1 Number of Firefighters...…………………………………..42 5.2.5.2 Training of Firefighters…….……………………………….44 5.2.5.3 Training, Health and Safety of Firefighters...…………….44 5.2.5.4 Availability of Firefighters……………………………….....45 5.2.5.5 Predetermined Intervention Plans……………...... ………47 5.2.5.6 Summary of Objectives 2 and 3………..…………………49

5.3 OBJECTIVE 4: SELF-PROTECTION MEASURES……………………….50

5.4 OBJECTIVE 5: OTHER RISKS OF LOSSES/DISASTERS……………...50

5.5 OBJECTIVE 6: MAXIMUM USE OF RESOURCES DEVOTED TO FIRE SAFETY………………………………………...……………………………...51

5.6 OBJECTIVE 7: USING SUPRA-MUNICIPAL LEVEL SERVICES.………51

5.7 OBJECTIVE 8: HARMONIZING RESOURCES AND ORGANIZATIONS DEVOTED TO FIRE SAFETY…….………………………………………....52

CHAPTER 6 PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS…………………………………………………53

CHAPTER 7 IMPLEMENTATION PLANS…………………………………………………54

CHAPTER 8 CONCLUSION…………………………………………………………………57

TABLES

Table 1: Pontiac MRC Municipalities Profiles…………...... …11

Table 2: Emergency Calls According to Intervention Category……………12

Table 3: Yearly Material Losses per Municipality……….…………………...13

Table 4: Material Losses in Terms of Standardized Real Estate Wealth (SREW) per Municipality ………………………………...... ……14

Table 5: Causes and Circumstances of Fire for Each FSS……...…………15

Table 6: Risks Classification for 2016………………..……………………….17

Table 7: Program for Installation and Verification of Smoke Detectors Operations and Higher Risks Inspections...... ………...22

Table 8: Pontiac MRC Territory Fire Safety Protection Agreements..…….26

Table 9: Municipal Aqueduct Networks………………….………………..….28

Table 10: Current Water Supply Facilities……………………………..………30

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

Table 11: Water Supply Facilities to be Completed………...………………..31

Table 12: Fire Stations Location and Description……..……………………...33

Table 13: Distance in Kilometers between Fire Stations of the Pontiac MRC Territory………………………………………………………………..35

Table 14: FSS Intervention Vehicles Characteristics As Well As Those of Bordering FSS…………….………….….……...... …….38

Table 15: Equipment Characteristics………………………………………...... 40

Table 16: Number of Officers and Firefighters ….…………………………….43

Table 17: Availability and Mobilization Time of Firefighters...……………….45

Table 18: Intervention Plans to be Achieved or Updated per Year...……….48

APPENDIXES

Appendix A: Map of Fire Protection Cover in Terms of Water Supply for Campbell’s Bay Municipality

Appendix B: Map of Fire Protection Cover in Terms of Water Supply for Fort- Coulonge and Mansfield-et-Pontefract Municipalities

Appendix C: Map of Fire Protection Cover in Terms of Water Supply for L’Isle- aux-Allumettes Municipality

Appendix D: Map of Fire Protection Cover in Terms of Water Supply for Otter Lake Municipality

Appendix E: Map of Fire Protection Cover in Terms of Water Supply for Shawville and Clarendon Municipalities

Appendix F: Map of Fire Protection Cover in Terms of Water Supply for Mansfield Municipality

Appendix G: Map of the Location of Dry Fire Hydrants for Pontiac MRC

Appendix H: Map of Fire Protection Cover for Pontiac MRC

Appendix I: Municipal Resolutions Concerning Local Implementation Plans

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

In June 2000, the Government of Quebec promulgated the Fire Safety Act (S.Q., 2000, c.20), which would require Regional Municipal Authorities or Regional County Municipalities (RCM) to develop a Fire Safety Cover Plan.

Within the framework of the revision of its Fire Safety Cover Plan, required in the sixth (6th) year following the date of its effective enforcement or its last Certificate of Conformity (section 29), the Pontiac MRC Council therefore duly decided, through its Resolution Number CM 2016-02-07 approved on the 16th of February 2016, to carry out the revision exercise of the above-mentioned Fire Safety Cover Plan.

This current document consequently refers to the decisions made by the Pontiac MRC with respect to the objectives set out within the Fire Safety Guidelines of the Minister of Public Security, most particularly, to significantly reduce the losses attributable to fire and increase the efficiency of municipal organizations working in the related field of fire safety.

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

CHAPTER 2

DESCRIPTION OF THE TERRITORY

The Risks Cover Plan refers to the specific characteristics of the Pontiac MRC Territory. This describes its constitutive municipalities and showcases the main economic activities that set it apart from other neighboring regional authorities.

The Pontiac MRC Territory is located in the western part of the Outaouais Administrative Region. The adjoining MRCs are as follows: to the north, La Vallée-de-l'Or MRC; to the northeast, La Vallée-de-la-Gatineau MRC; to the south-east, Les Collines-de-l'Outaouais MRC and to the west, the Témiscamingue MRC. The Ottawa River and the Province of Ontario delimit its southern portion.

The Pontiac MRC covers an area of 13,848.26 km2.

Established in 1983, the Pontiac MRC comprises the municipalities of Alleyn-et- Cawood, Bristol, Bryson, Campbell's Bay, Chichester, Clarendon, Fort-Coulonge, L’Île-du-Grand-Calumet, Otter-Lake, L’Isle-aux-Allumettes, Litchfield, Mansfield- et-Pontefract, Portage-du-Fort, Rapides-des-Joachims, Shawville, Sheenboro, Thorne, Waltham and the Unorganized Territory (UT) of Lac Nilgaut.

The Pontiac MRC topography is characterized by the plain of the Ottawa River, its terraces and ravines. This plain fades westward to join the Canadian Shield which gradually settles along the banks of the Ottawa River. The Canadian Shield represents most of the territory; it is characterized by a generally undulating relief where valleys are encrusted. The presence and function of two geological regions, namely the Canadian Shield and the St. Lawrence Lowlands, combined with the diversity of vegetation cover, more than 4,000 lakes and rivers and a diversified ecological environment form an outstanding landscape.

2.1 MUNICIPALITIES PROFILES

The following Table 1 below portrays the population, number, description and area of urban perimeters (UP) of the Pontiac MRC as well as the percentage of UP areas in relation to the municipality area. Table 1 also depicts the municipalities sharing an urban perimeter.

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

Table 1 Pontiac MRC Municipalities Profiles

% of UP Areas Urban Area UP Area In Relation to Municipalities Population Perimeter (UP) Assignment 2 in KM Municipality Number Description Area Alleyn-et-Cawood 201 1 Dandford Lake 0,08 0,02 Bristol 0,11 Bristol 1134 2 1,73 Norway Bay 1,62 Bryson 604 1 Bryson 0,96 25,81 Campbell’s Bay** 767 1 Campbell’s Bay 1,46 0,67 Litchfield** 452 2 Vinton 0,65 0,3 Chichester 0,11 Chichester 357 2 Rapides-du- 0,18 0,3 Chapeau Clarendon** 1159 1 Shawville 3,29 0,62 Shawville** 1624 1 Fort-Coulonge 1348 1 L’Île-du-Grand-Calumet 691 1 Grand-Calumet 0,27 0,18 Saint-Joseph 0,09 L’Isle-aux-Allumettes 1306 3 Desjardinsville 1,02 0,87 Chapeau 0,73 Fort-Coulonge** 1348 1 Fort-Coulonge/ 3,74 0,71 Mansfield-et- Mansfield 2248 2 Pontefract** Davidson 0,49 0,09 Otter Lake 1076 1 Otter Lake 1,3 0,26 Portage-du-Fort 256 1 Portage-du-Fort 0,63 22,64 Rapides-des- Rapides-des-Joachims 155 1 0,52 0,2 Joachims Sheenboro 110 1 Sheenboro 0,05 0,01 Thorne 285 1 Ladysmith 0,25 0,14 Lac-Nilgaut UIT 0 0 - - - Waltham 357 1 Waltham 0,29 0,07

Total MRC 14130 24 - 17,96 54,5

Source: data are collected from the Population Decree for the Year 2016. The computation/count is based on estimates made by the Quebec Institute of Statistics as of the 1st of July 2015. Note **: municipalities whose characteristics are in gray color share an urban perimeter (UP).

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

CHAPTER 3

FIRE SAFETY HISTORICAL BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The history of regional fires location refers in particular to the frequency of interventions, the most frequent causes and circumstances of fires, their consequences on the local population, and the most affected sectors within the Pontiac MRC Territory. Such historical background information helps to guide or channel fire safety planning and to better target, for instance, the content of municipal regulations as well as the topics/issues and sectors to be highlighted during public awareness activities/campaigns.

Table 2 Emergency Calls According to Intervention Category (from October 2011 to May 2016)

Emergency

Calls

Year

Total

re Québec)

HomeFire ChimneyFire FirewallCombustion GarageFire (Other Than Commercial Fire) Farm PremisesFire CottageFire Commercial Building Fire ElectricalWire Fire (Hydro Bush Fi VehicleFire GarbageFire Other

1 17 11 0 2 2 1 5 10 27 9 1 7 92 (2011/2012) 2 19 9 1 3 6 2 1 18 8 11 2 1 81 (2012/2013) 3 12 15 4 0 0 2 3 4 10 11 2 4 67 (2013/2014) 4 14 14 2 1 0 2 1 12 23 3 0 5 77 (2014/2015) 5 6 9 3 0 2 2 2 8 15 4 1 1 53 (2015/2016)

Total 62 49 7 6 8 7 10 44 68 34 5 17 370

Source: statistics prepared by the Pontiac MRC Public and Civil Safety Coordinator on the basis of 2003 Fire Safety Declaration (FSD) Reports.

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

3.1 MATERIAL LOSSES

Table 3 below summarizes the material losses according to the data reported to the Quebec Ministry of Public Security for the period from October 2011 to May 2016.

Table 3 Yearly Material Losses per Municipality (from October 2011 to May 2016)

Material Losses per Year ($) Municipalities 1 2 4 5 3 (2013/2014) Total (2011/2012) (2012/2013) (2014/2015) (2015/2016) Alleyn-et- 8 290 0 7000 0 5000 20 290 Cawood Bristol 100 000 234 400 410 700 77 100 2 000 824 200 Bryson 1 600 0 52 000 0 0 53 600 Campbell’s Bay 500 0 31 500 25 000 0 57 000 Chichester 0 280 000 0 0 0 280 000 Clarendon 34 500 10 000 50 000 216 000 7 000 317 500 Fort-Coulonge 0 0 59 100 167 900 2 500 229 500 L’Île-du-Grand- 280 000 0 0 0 0 280 000 Calumet L’Isle-aux- 0 118 700 0 7 700 5 000 131 400 Allumettes Litchfield 60 000 49 300 36 200 0 143 000 288 500 Mansfield-et- 49 000 184 660 0 68 300 1 867 400 2 169 360 Pontefract Otter Lake 43 000 193 000 12 000 5 000 0 253 000 Portage-du- 0 13 650 0 84 300 0 97 950 Fort Rapides-des- 0 53 500 0 0 0 53 500 Joachims Shawville 96 000 134 300 226 900 10 000 500 467 700 Sheenboro 0 0 0 0 0 0 Thorne 192 600 282 000 45 100 0 0 519 700 Lac-Nilgaut UT NA NA NA NA NA NA Waltham 80 32 000 0 0 141 900 173 980 Total 865 570 1 585 510 930 500 886 600 2 371 3006 6 639 480 Source: statistics prepared by the Pontiac MRC Public and Civil Safety Coordinator on the basis of the Fire Safety Declaration DSI-2003 Reports. NA: information not available at the Pontiac MRC.

Material losses averaged $1,327,986 per year for overall municipalities within the Pontiac MRC. Material losses totaled $ 6,639,480 million for the reference years.

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

Table 4 hereafter describes a comparison between the number of fires and property losses related to Standardized Real Estate Wealth (SREW) following the implementation of the fire safety reform from October 2011 to May 2016 for the Pontiac MRC Territory.

Table 4 Material Losses in Terms of Standardized Real Estate Wealth (SREW) per Municipality (from October 2011 to May 2016)

Total No of Material ($) Material SREW $ Municipalities Emergency Losses Losses vs (2016) Calls (Total/5 Years) SREW (%)

Alleyn-et-Cawood 18 20 290 69 073 600 0,03

Bristol 33 824 200 201 962 808 0,41

Bryson 6 53 600 34 315 100 0,16

Campbell’s Bay 12 57 000 44 298 300 0,13

Chichester 14 280 000 43 579 884 0,64

Clarendon 45 317 500 188 465 550 0,17

Fort Coulonge 9 229 500 64 309 400 0,36

L’Île-du-Grand-Calumet 9 280 000 91 143 567 0,31

L’Isle-aux-Allumettes 22 131 400 326 871 732 0,04

Litchfield 23 288 500 97 651 330 0.30

Mansfield-et-Pontefract 61 2 169 360 279 258 684 0,78

Otter Lake 24 253 000 238 751 960 0,11

Portage-du-Fort 3 97 950 20 534 700 0,48

Rapides-des-Joachims 5 53 500 31 206 200 0,17

Shawville 37 467 700 159 299 018 0,29

Sheenboro 7 0 99 885 234 0,00

Thorne 20 519 700 129 678 876 0,40

Lac-Nilgaut UT NA NA 21 992 200 NA

Waltham 22 173 980 91 634 990 0,19

Total 370 6 639 480 2 211 920 933 0,30 Source: Pontiac MRC Evaluation Service. NA: information not available at the Pontiac MRC.

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

3.2 CAUSES AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF FIRE

Investigating the causes and circumstances of fires (ICCF) is a significantly crucial step in conducting an incident analysis. During the five (5) years of implementation pertaining to the first Fire Safety Cover Plan, each municipality of the Pontiac MRC Territory proceeded through their FSS (or via their specialized team) to ICCF.

Moreover, the fire safety historical background information covering the period from October 2012 to October 2015 shows that the main causes and circumstances of fires are linked to negligence or recklessness. Specifically, they are bush or chimney fires. Negligence or recklessness accounts to 56% of the fires across the Pontiac MRC Territory. It is therefore critical that the MRC Fire Prevention Technician (FPT) continues with his prevention program by targeting the fall (chimney fires) and spring (bush fires) seasons.

Table 5 Causes and Circumstances of Fire for Each FSS from Year 2 to Year 4 of the Fire Safety Cover Plan

Mechanical/ Negligence/ Natural Under Construction/ Electrical Unknown FSS Recklessness Causes Investigation Design Flaws Failure % % % % % %

B.GC.P. 5 5 1 0 0 1

Bristol 14 3 0 1 0 2 Campbell’s Bay/ 11 5 3 0 0 1 Litchfield Fort-Coulonge 4 2 0 0 0 1

Kazabazua 4 4 0 0 0 0 (Alleyn-et-Cawood) Mansfield-et-Pontefract 17 8 7 2 0 0

Otter Lake 8 5 3 2 0 0

Pontiac West 18 2 5 2 0 0

Rapides-des-Joachims 1 1 0 0 0 0

Shawville/Clarendon 29 10 4 6 0 1

Thorne 2 1 0 4 0 0

Lac-Nilgault UT NA NA NA NA NA NA

Waltham 9 2 3 0 0 0

Total 122 48 26 17 0 6 Source: Pontiac MRC NA: information not available at the Pontiac MRC.

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

Figure 1 shows the regional compilation of data related to the causes and circumstances of fires.

Figure 1 Causes of Fires Which Broke Out During Year 4 of the Fire Safety Cover Plan .08% 0% .03% 0%

12% 22% 56% Unknown Causes Mechanical or Electrical Failure Negligence/Recklessness Construction or Design Flaws Road Accidents Still Under Investigation Natural Causes

Source: Pontiac MRC

The analysis of the above pie chart enables us to note that negligence or recklessness is indeed responsible for nearly 56% of the fires within the Pontiac MRC Territory for this period (i.e. Year 4 of the Fire Safety Cover Plan). These are fires caused by chimney or bush fires. With reference to the number of unknown fire causes, this is because the burnt buildings were a total loss and it was impossible to determine the related causes or circumstances.

3.3 HUMAN CASUALTIES

During the five (5) years of reference, there was no loss of human life across the Pontiac MRC Territory.

3.4 LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Along the course of the five (5) years of reference, there were no legal proceedings filed against the Pontiac MRC.

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

CHAPTER 4

RISKS ANALYSIS

In compliance with section 10 of the Fire Safety Act (S.Q., 2000, c.20), the Fire Safety Cover Plan outlines the identification, evaluation and classification of fire risks across the Pontiac MRC Territory.

4.1 RISKS CLASSIFICATION

Table 6 Risks Classification for 2016

Risks Classification (Number per Risk) Municipalities Low Medium High Very High TOTAL

Alleyn-et-Cawood 369 7 3 1 380 Bristol 983 164 4 4 1155 Bryson 257 34 3 1 295 Campbell’s Bay 278 60 3 8 349 Chichester 224 41 1 0 266 Clarendon 673 256 6 5 940 Fort-Coulonge 488 50 4 7 549 L’Île-du-Grand-Calumet 345 80 3 2 430 L’Isle-aux-Allumettes 1 066 115 8 8 1197 Litchfield 339 85 4 6 434 Mansfield-et-Pontefract 1 077 69 17 10 1173 Otter Lake 1 051 31 4 3 1089 Portage-du-Fort 139 17 2 1 159 Rapides-des-Joachims 138 7 3 1 149 Shawville 567 77 27 13 684 Sheenboro 318 24 0 2 344 Thorne 619 32 3 4 658 Lac-Nilgaut UT 942 0 38 0 980 Waltham 361 16 1 1 379 Total 10 234 1 165 134 77 11 610 Source: Pontiac MRC

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

CHAPTER 5

PROTECTION OBJECTIVES

Under section 10 of the Fire Safety Act (S.Q., 2000, c.20), the Fire Safety Cover Plan determines, for each category of risks inventoried or each part of the territory defined therein, the fire prevention and protection objectives that may be achieved conditional upon the measures and optimization of the resources available at regional level. For each of these established objectives, the Fire Safety Cover Plan specifies the actions that the regional authority and municipalities will implement in order to reach those objectives.

The determination of objectives in terms of fire prevention and protection in this newly Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan is closely connected to the actions implemented within the previous plan.

Hence, this current section outlines the requirements that must be met in order to accomplish each of the objectives described in the Fire Safety Guidelines of the Minister of Public Security. Thereafter, it focusses on the prevailing portrayal and situation as well as the means that will be used to maintain or improve them, if required, whether by the Pontiac MRC or by its constitutive municipalities or by their respective Fire Safety Services (FSS).

5.1 OBJECTIVE 1: PREVENTION

5.1.1 Incidents Evaluation and Analysis

** Overview of the Situation **

In collaboration with the FSS, the Pontiac MRC has established a procedure for evaluating and analyzing incidents. When a building fire occurs, the FSS are responsible for determining the causes and circumstances that triggered the fire. Each Pontiac MRC FSS has Officers who have undergone the Non-Urban Officer Training and are able to perform the related task. Where necessary or if required, the Pontiac MRC Public and Civil Safety Coordinator may assist the FSS Officer in his duties. Once the causes and circumstances have been determined, the FSS Designated Officer writes the Fire Safety Declaration DSI-2003 Report and sends it to the Pontiac MRC Public and Civil Safety Coordinator. The latter performs a quality control of that written Fire Safety Declaration DSI-2003 Report and ensures, among others, that the causes and circumstances have been appropriately identified. Then, the Pontiac MRC Public and Civil Safety Coordinator compiles the available information in order to generate the required statistics for preparing his monthly and annual activity review. Once the quality control is completed, the Fire Safety Declaration DSI-2003 Report is sent to the Fire Prevention Technician who verifies if short, medium or long-term prevention measures should be taken. Subsequently, the latter transmits all the suitable handwritten Fire Safety Declaration DSI-2003 Reports to the Quebec Ministry of Public Security.

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

On a yearly basis, or as required, the Fire Prevention Technician (FPT) revises the Regional Fire Prevention Regulations based on various analyzes conducted during the ongoing year.

The findings resulting from the compilation of data from all municipalities over the last few years reveals that the main causes of fire within the Pontiac MRC Territory are chimney and bush fires. As a result of this observation, the MRC FPT organizes awareness campaigns during the two (2) periods at risk (i.e. fall and spring seasons).

**** Protection Objectives Established by the Pontiac MRC ****

 The RCM intends to maintain the procedure it has implemented in addition to improving the following duties:

∙ Submission of Fire Safety Declaration DSI-2003 Reports. ∙ Writing of Investigation Reports to determine the causes and circumstances of fires. ∙ Develop a means of communication with the Sûreté du Québec concerning their investigation files in order to identify the causes and circumstances of fires.

The following means will be used to improve the procedure:

. In order to provide the Fire Prevention Technician with a reasonable time to react and implement prompt or punctual preventive measures, the FSS will be required to submit the Fire Safety Declaration DSI-2003 Report and the Investigation Report determining the causes and circumstances of the fires to the Pontiac MRC Public and Civil Safety Coordinator within ten (10) working days. The deadline will be calculated from the date of the fire occurrence.

. The Pontiac MRC will be responsible for contacting the Sûreté du Québec Investigation Office every four (4) months to initiate a meeting in order to review the files under investigation, with the objective of checking whether the Sûreté du Québec has been able to determine the causes and circumstances of the fires it is duly investigating and to enable the FPT to implement preventive measures.

5.1.2 Municipal Fire Safety Regulations

** Overview of the Situation **

The implementation of the Fire Safety Cover Plan has enabled Pontiac MRC to apply Regulation 202-2014 for the prevention of fires within the Pontiac MRC Territory. This Regulation was initially enforced in 2011 and amended in 2014 according to the recommendations of the Pontiac MRC FPT.

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

The Fire Safety Regulations currently applicable within the Pontiac MRC Territory take into account the Building Chapter of the Security Code (BCSC), the National Building Code (NBC) and the relevant provisions of the Construction Code.

The regulations are prepared and revised based on investigations into the causes and circumstances of fires and the findings of the FPT during inspections of high-risk and very high-risk buildings in order to reduce material losses and detrimental impacts on peoples’ lives.

**** Protection Objectives Established by the Pontiac MRC ****

 The Pontiac MRC will keep on implementing its regional regulations and improve them if required.

5.1.3 Smoke Detectors Operations Verification

** Overview of the Situation **

All municipalities within the Pontiac MRC implement the Smoke Detectors Alarm Installation and Verification Program with the exception of the municipalities of Portage- du-Fort and Thorne. Consequently, these two municipalities will have to be specially supervised and monitored to make sure that they are able to reach the objectives established in their respective cases.

As specified in the Fire Safety Cover Plan, Firefighters do take on this task. Despite the scheduled deadlines within the Fire Safety Cover Plan, some municipalities have not been able to achieve the targeted objectives. The exercise of inspecting smoke detectors alarms during the first four (4) years of the Fire Safety Cover Plan divulges three factual observations.

Firstly, the FSS in Bristol, Campbell's Bay/Litchfield and Shawville/Clarendon who have a Director working at least four (4) days per week at the FSS Management level have been able to complete the required inspections.

Secondly, the municipalities of Campbell's Bay, Fort-Coulonge, Rapides-des-Joachims and Shawville mostly have a population concentrated within their respective urbani perimeter, thus facilitating the inspection operations of reaching the targeted clientele. Those municipalities have therefore also succeeded in meeting the objectives of the Fire Safety Cover Plan.

Finally, the majority of FSS experiences difficulty in performing inspections of buildings outside their urban perimeters. The main reasons are the distance to be covered for undertaking the inspections and the number of seasonal residents who cannot be easily reached and are sometimes isolated.

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

**** Protection Objectives Established by the Pontiac MRC ****

 The Pontiac MRC intends to continue implementing the program for verification of the operation of smoke detectors alarms within urban areas. The FSS will physically verify and inspect 20% of smoke detectors alarms per year to reach 100% of homes over a 5-year period in compliance with Table 7 below.

 The Pontiac MRC aims to set up a specific prevention program for the fire safety of certain sectors, goods or activities, following to the findings of discrepancies/flaws/deficiencies that cannot be resolved in terms of intervention (e.g.: areas where it is impossible to reach response time within less than 15 minutes), which may include self-protection and prevention measures, specific regulatory provisions, etc.

 Outside urban perimeters, the FSS must send every year, via Canada Post mail, a Self-Evaluation Form to a building owner. The building owner will have the option of completing the form and sending it back to the municipality or contacting the designated person and making an appointment with a FSS employee for a physical inspection of the building. The Self-Evaluation Form should also contain information relevant to the installation, maintenance and lifetime of smoke detectors alarms. The Self-Evaluation Form will also be available on the Pontiac MRC Website.

If and when required, ongoing training designed by the FPT, will be available for FSS Officers.

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

Table 7 Program for Installation and Verification of Smoke Detectors Operations and Higher Risks Inspections

Approximate Number of Inspections to be Achieved per Year

Municipalities 20% of Risks Inspected per Year 100% of Risks Inspected per Year

1 Very High Low Risks Medium Risks High Risks Risks Alleyn-et-Cawood 74 1 3 1 Bristol 196 33 4 4 Bryson 51 7 3 1 Campbell’s Bay 56 12 3 8 Chichester 45 8 1 0 Clarendon 135 51 6 5 Fort-Coulonge 98 10 4 7 L’Île-du-Grand-Calumet 69 16 3 2 L’Isle-aux-Allumettes 213 23 8 8 Litchfield 68 17 4 6 Mansfield-et-Pontefract 215 14 17 10 Otter Lake 210 6 4 3 Portage-du-Fort 28 3 2 1 Rapides-des-Joachims 28 1 3 1 Shawville 113 15 27 13 Sheenboro 64 5 0 2 Thorne 124 6 3 4 Lac-Nilgaut UT 188 ** 0 38 0 Waltham 72 3 1 1 Total 2 047 231 134 77 Source: Annual Municipalities Report Note 1: for medium risks, the inspection concerns only the verification of the operation of smoke detectors in the case of a residential dwelling, and the inspection of higher risks in the case of all non-residential uses. Note **: done via Canada Post mail. When the Lac-Nilgaut UT Inspector visits the premises, he also conducts the smoke detectors verification.

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

5.1.4 Higher Risks Inspection Program

** Overview of the Situation **

All municipalities have approved and are currently implementing the Higher Risks Inspection Program as specified in the Fire Safety Cover Plan. Those municipalities rely on a regional Fire Prevention Technician (FPT) to perform this type of prevention activity.

In their training programs, Fire Safety Services (FSS) proceed to validate Intervention Plans implemented in order to allow Firefighters to familiarize themselves with the building in question.

Farm/Agricultural Buildings

In the absence of Municipal Bylaws, FSS should refer to the Companion Guide for Farm/Agricultural Buildings Inspection Form in order to undertake inspections of farm/agricultural buildings. A Training Session will be designed by the Pontiac MRC FPT.

**** Protection Objectives Established by the Pontiac MRC ****

 The Pontiac MRC intends to continue applying and enhancing the Higher Risks Inspection Program according to the targeted inspection percentages per year outlined in the above-mentioned Table 7.

 The Pontiac MRC aims to design a Training Session for FSS in order to carry out related farm/agricultural buildings inspections.

5.1.5 Public Awareness Program

** Overview of the Situation **

All municipalities apply the Public Awareness Activities Program. Open-House Days where Fire Stations are accessible to the public, demonstrations of how to use portable fire extinguishers, awareness talks in schools, day care centers and seniors housing premises, as well as evacuation drills showcase among others activities that are conducted (chronicles, local newspapers, kiosks, fire prevention week, Halloween, etc.).

**** Protection Objectives Established by the Pontiac MRC ****

 The Pontiac MRC anticipates to continue applying and improving the Public Awareness Program.

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

5.2 OBJECTIVES 2 AND 3: INTERVENTION

5.2.1 Ministerial Objectives to be Achieved

In compliance with section 10 of the Fire Safety Act (S.Q., 2000, c.20), the Fire Safety Cover Plan includes identifying the factors to be taken into account in order to optimize human and material resources available on a regional scale so that the deployment of resources is optimal.

In concrete terms, Objectives 2 and 3 require municipalities to determine, for related risks categories, the minimum strike force they are able to deploy and the intervention time they can achieve in a normal situation.

Moreover, in agreement with the spirit of Objectives 2 and 3, it is to be expected that this strike force does have an optimal character, i.e. it is defined and regulated after considering the entire resources available at regional level, including self-help and mutual assistance processes and automatic resources deployment.

5.2.2 Human Resources Channeling

Depending on the area covered, targeted building and type of fire, resources deployment is planned to maximize the probability or likelihood of restricting the fire within the shortest possible timeframe with the most appropriate resources. The strategy for resources deployment takes into account the particularities of certain sectors of the territory being served and the category of risks encountered.

The Ministry of Public Security (MSP) has also provided FSS Directors with the Operations Guide for Fire Safety Services in order to assist them in establishing their respective operational procedures.

** Overview of the Situation **

In the previous Fire Safety Cover Plan, Fire Safety Services (FSS) compiled data relating to the mobilization of Firefighters as well as the arrival of the strike force as required in the Risks Cover Plan. In addition, the compilation and analysis of the data (via calling cards produced by the Emergency Call Center when mobilizing staff for a building fire) is necessary to produce the Regional Annual Report, which is transmitted to the Ministry of Public Security (section 35 of the Fire Safety Act, S.Q., 2000, c.20).

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

For example, the deadline for mobilizing Firefighters was set at five (5) minutes. This portrays an undervalued data which is the case for the majority of FSS. To the best of their knowledge and experience, the FSS had recorded in the first version of the Fire Safety Cover Plan the strike force that they believed they were able to achieve.

Thanks to the compiled data, improved communication and training of the interveners, FSS are now able to better identify the strike force that they are able to offer to their respective target population within the Pontiac MRC Territory.

With the purpose of optimizing available resources and all along the duration of the first Fire Safety Cover Plan, the following municipalities have congregated their Fire Safety Services (FSS):

∙ Municipality of Alleyn-et-Cawood and Kazabazua (Vallée-de-la-Gatineau MRC): FSS now known as Kazabazua FSS. ∙ Municipality of Bryson, L’Ile-du-Grand-Calumet and Portage-du-Fort: FSS now known as B.GC.P. FSS. ∙ Municipality of Chichester, L’Isle-aux-Allumettes and Sheenboro: FSS now known as Pontiac West FSS.

Each municipality has ratified Fire Safety Agreements with neighboring municipalities to mobilize the resources closest to the fire site in order to achieve the required strike force.

Table 8 hereafter displays the Fire Safety Protection Agreements endorsed by the respective municipalities which have decided to do so. Each agreement is automatically renewed every year.

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

Table 8 Pontiac MRC Territory Fire Safety Protection Agreements

FSS FSS Mutual Assistance

Campbell’s B.GC.P Bay/Litchfield (MA) Pontiac Municipality Shawville/Clarendon Bristol (MRC des (MA) Collines) (MA) Shawville/Claren Otter Lake Mansfield-et- Fort-Coulonge Thorne (MA) Campbell’s Bay/Litchfield don (PAA) (MA) Pontefract (MA) (MA) Campbell’s Waltham (MA) Mansfield-et- Bay/Litchfield Fort-Coulonge Pontefract (PAA) (MA) Kazabazua (MRCVG) Otter Lake (MA) Fort Coulonge Campbell’s Waltham (MA) Mansfield-et-Pontefract (PAA) Bay/Litchfield (MA) Thorne (ATA) Campbell’s Kazabazua Otter Lake Bay/Litchfield (MA) (MA) Pontiac West Waltham (MA) Bristol (MA) Campbell’s Shawville/Clarendon Bay/Litchfield (PAA) Otter Lake Campbell’s Thorne (ATA) Bay/Litchfield (MA) Pontiac West Mansfield-et- Waltham (MA) Pontefract (MA) Municipalité de Rapides- Laurentian Valley (Ontario) des-Joachims (SO) Types of Assistance: MA=Mutual Assistance, ATA=Automatic Assistance at All Times, PAA=Periodical Automatic Assistance, SO=Service Offer

The objectives of the above agreements are to organize and coordinate, according to a Mutual Assistance Plan, the human and material resources of all FSS agreement signatories that can be used for firefighting or for any other emergency, at any time when FSS deployments are required across the Pontiac MRC Territory and within the municipalities involved in those agreements.

**** Protection Objectives Established by the Pontiac MRC ****

 The Pontiac MRC intends to ensure that all municipalities have the necessary Automatic Inter-Municipal Agreements required to deploy the compulsory strike force within their respective jurisdictions.

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

5.2.3 Water Supply

The availability of water and the reliability of its supply have a direct influence on the effectiveness of the Firefighters’ intervention. It is therefore crucial that FSS have a good knowledge of the water supply systems and their capacity within the different areas of the Pontiac MRC Territory.

Consequently, two elements are essential to evaluate the availability of water and the reliability of its supply. Compliant aqueduct network: a network capable of delivering a flow of 1500 l/ min and the water supply period should be at least 30 minutes at a minimum pressure of 140 kPa.

Sector not served by a compliant aqueduct network: stockpile 15,000 liters of water from the initial emergency call and attempt to deliver the required continuous flow of 1,500 l/min. In addition, it becomes necessary, when available, to use two (2) Tanker Trucks at the very moment of the initial alert.

Pontiac MRC FSS that do not have a Tanker Truck should make arrangements to ensure that the neighboring FSS having such equipment moves to the fire site from the very moment of the initial alert. In the event that the Tanker Trucks, or even the only one Tanker Truck available, are at a distance which does not allow an intervention/response time of less than 30 minutes (note: 30 minutes = mobilization time + travel time), the automatic use of such a resource will be at the discretion of the FSS Manager after assessing the potential risk.

5.2.3.1 Municipal Aqueduct Networks

** Overview of the Situation **

Among the 18 municipalities of the Pontiac MRC, 10 municipalities are equipped aqueduct networks within their territory. Each of these networks serves all or almost all of the buildings located within the urban perimeter.

In order to illustrate the water fire protection coverage, the enclosed synthesis maps – duly attached in the appendixes of this newly Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan – describes the areas served by compliant fire poles, i.e. those capable of providing a water flow of 1,500 l/min for a minimum period of 30 minutes at a pressure greater than 140 kPa. The mandatory coding of these compliant fire poles on the maps as well as on the ground abides by the requirements of the NFPA 291 standards. Gray and black colors are used by Firefighters to facilitate the identification of fire poles located at the very end of an unbound network.

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

Table 9 below shows the characteristics of aqueduct networks available in some municipalities of the Pontiac MRC.

Table 9 Municipal Aqueduct Networks

% UP NFPA 291 Maintenance Fire Poles Covered/ Codification Program Municipalities FSS Compliant

1 Fireman’s Total Compliant (Yes/No) (Yes/No) Poles Bryson B.GC.P. 31 0** 0** No No Campbell’s Campbell’s 31 31 55 Yes Yes Bay Bay/Litchfield Shawville/ Clarendon 2 2 33 Yes Yes Clarendon Fort- Fort-Coulonge 69 53 75 Yes Yes Coulonge L’Île-du-Grand- B.GC.P. 18 0** 0** No No Calumet L’Isle-aux- Pontiac West 12 9 70 Yes Yes Allumettes Otter-Lake Otter-Lake 31 31 75 Yes Yes Mansfield-et- Mansfield-et- 30 30 33 Yes Yes Pontefract Pontefract Portage-du- B.GC.P. 21 0** 0** No No Fort Shawville/ Shawville 98 81 70 Yes Yes Clarendon Source: Pontiac MRC Municipalities. Note 1: fire poles do meet the criteria of 1500 l/min at a minimum pressure of 140 kPa.

Note **: these fire poles do not meet the 1,500 l/min criteria. The Fire Safety Services of B.CG.P. are equipped with Tanker Trucks to meet the requirements of 15,000 liters of water for the initial firefighting.

Each municipality operates a Fire Poles Maintenance and Evaluation Program and archives inspection records that are kept up-to-date.

The Annual Fire Poles Maintenance and Evaluation is carried out in accordance with a specified number based on NFPA 25 and 291 Codifications. Municipalities send out to the Pontiac MRC the results of the annual evaluation of their respective fire poles.

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

**** Protection Objectives Established by the Pontiac MRC ****

 Municipalities equipped with fire poles will maintain the Fire Poles Maintenance and Identification Program in order to determine the available water flow, ensure that they are functioning properly, and transmit the Follow-Up Register to the Pontiac MRC once a year.

 Due to the particularities of its aqueduct system, the Municipality of Fort-Coulonge, will undertake inspections to determine the water flow rate of its fire poles over a period of 5 years, i.e. 20% per year and will send the Follow-up Register to the Pontiac MRC once a year.

5.2.3.2 Water Supply Facilities

** Overview of the Situation **

Analysis and planning of Water Supply Facilities were done on the basis of cartography. However, when FSS Officers went onsite, the majority of the targeted sites were not suitable for the installation of a water supply facility. As a result, the number of water supply facility installed by the municipalities was much lower than the number originally planned for. Municipalities that have successfully installed water supply facilities have ensured that they are accessible at all times, including the winter season.

The Water Supply Facilities Evaluation and Maintenance Program has been developed and applied throughout the Pontiac MRC Territory by the Public Works Division and the FSS based on NFPA 1142 Standards. The list of these Water Supply Facilities is displayed in Table 10 on the following page.

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

Table 10 Current Water Supply Facilities

Current Water Supply Facilities1

Municipalities Inside Outside Urban Urban Type Total Perimeter Perimeter (UP) (UP) Alleyn-et-Cawood Dry Hydrant 1 1 - Bristol Dry Hydrant 3** 2 1 Bryson Dry Hydrant 2 2 - Pumping Campbell’s Bay 1 1 - Station Chichester - 0 - - Clarendon Dry Hydrant 4** 1 2 Fort-Coulonge - 0 - - L’Île-du-Grand-Calumet Dry Hydrant 1 - 1 L’Isle-aux-Allumettes Dry Hydrant 2 - 2 Dry Hydrant 2 - 2 Litchfield Reservoir 1* - 1 Mansfield-et-Pontefract Dry Hydrant 3 - 3 Dry Hydrant 2 - 2 Otter Lake Reservoir 1* - 1 Portage-du-Fort Dry Hydrant 1 1 - Rapides-des-Joachims - 0 - - Shawville Reservoir 1 1 - Sheenboro - 0 - - Thorne Dry Hydrant 3** - 3 Waltham Dry Hydrant 1 1 - Total 26 10 17 Source: Pontiac MRC Note 1: to be considered in the Fire Safety Cover Plan, the Water Supply Facility must have a minimum of 30,000 liters and be accessible year round. Note*: municipalities of Otter Lake and Litchfield share the same reservoir. Note**: the Municipalities of Bristol, Clarendon and Thorne share a dry hydrant located at the boundaries of the 3 Municipalities, i.e. at Lake Thorne.

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

**** Protection Objectives Established by the Pontiac MRC ****

 Each municipality must have at least one Water Supply Facility to replenish Tanker Trucks.

 In collaboration with the Pontiac MRC, municipalities will try to find places where a Water Supply Facility can be installed while meeting the requirements of 30,000 liters and being accessible year round.

 In partnership with the Pontiac MRC, municipalities will annually review the possibility of installing new dry hydrants.

 Municipalities will maintain the Water Supply Facilities Installation and Maintenance Program in order to facilitate the replenishing of Tanker Trucks, make them accessible at all times and transmit annually the Follow-Up Register of existing and future Water Supply Facilities to the Pontiac MRC.

 In collaboration with the Pontiac MRC, municipalities identified in Table 11 of this newly Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan will evaluate the possibility of installing a minimum of one (1) Water Supply Facility or one (1) reservoir within the first two (2) years of the newly Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

Table 11 Water Supply Facilities to be Installed

Number of Water Supply Municipalities 1 Facilities to be Installed

Chichester 1 Fort-Coulonge 1 Rapides-des-Joachims 1 Sheenboro 1 Source: Pontiac MRC Note 1: as a result of technical difficulties, it is possible that a Water Supply Facility is installed in a different area than that previously scheduled. Note: see map in Appendix F for localization of current Water Supply Facilities.

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

5.2.4 INTERVENTION EQUIPMENT

5.2.4.1 Fire Stations

** Overview of the Situation **

There are 17 Fire Stations within the Pontiac MRC Territory. FSS responds to emergency calls from the Fire Station closest to the disaster site.

There are 10 Main Fire Stations and 7 Secondary Fire Stations across the Pontiac MRC Territory.

Some of those Fire Stations require improvements (bathroom and offices developments and/or premises expansion to facilitate the storage of vehicles and equipment). However, those Fire Stations have few entrance/exit constraints and do not have any problem that could increase the time duration of intervention delay, which favors intervention velocity.

The location and characteristics pertaining to each of these Fire Stations are described in Table 12 hereafter.

The map attached in Appendix F locates each one of them within the Pontiac MRC Territory as well as the municipalities they serve.

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

Table 12 Fire Stations Location and Description

Comments about the FSS Address

Fire Station

dary(S)

Main (M) Main Fire Station or Secon Fire Station Fire Station Number

M 1 24 ch Wharf, Bristol Requires Improvements Bristol S1 2 11, 11e Ligne, Bristol Requires Improvements Shawville/Clarendon M 3 200 rue Centre, Shawville Thorne M 4 775 Route 366, Thorne Requires Improvements Otter Lake M 5 15 Ave Palmer, Otter Lake S1 6 10 Jondee, Dandford Lake Kazabazua M 12** 378 Rte 105, Kazabazua M 7 833 Principale, Bryson 8 rue Brizzard, L’Île-du-Grand- S1 8 B.GC.P Calumet S2 9 19 Calumet, Portage-du-Fort M 10 85 Leslie, Campbell’s Bay Requires Improvements Campbell’s/Litchfield S1 11 1362 Rte 148, Campbell’s Bay 300 Principale, Mansfield-et- M 12 Mansfield-et-Pontefract Pontefract Fort-Coulonge M 18 559 rue Baume, Fort Coulonge Waltham M 14 71 Hôtel de Ville, Waltham 125 rue King, L’Isle-aux- M 15 Allumettes 6B St-Joseph, L’Isle-aux- S1 16 Pontiac West Allumettes 1513 Chapeau-Sheenboro, S2 17 Chichester TOTAL - 17 Source: Pontiac MRC Note**: Fire Station located in the Vallée-de-la-Gatineau MRC.

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

Table 13 on the following page portrays the distance in kilometers between the urban perimeters of each municipality. The municipalities of neighboring MRC equipped with a FSS and intervening across the Pontiac MRC Territory have also been added.

Table 13 hereafter serves as a reference for resources optimization exercises. The Fire Safety Services that may intervene at the moment of initial alert, depending on the location of intervention within the Pontiac MRC Municipalities Territory, can therefore consult this document. Furthermore, distances and time durations were calculated on the basis of the shortest routes in time intervals, notwithstanding weather, congestion/traffic jams, roadworks and traffic lights.

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

Table 13 Distance in Kilometers between Fire Stations of the Pontiac MRC Territory

Coulonge

B.GC.P Bristol Campbell’S Bay/ Litchfield Fort Kazabazua Mansfield Pontefract Lake Otter PontiacWest Shawville/Clarendon Thorne Waltham

Mainor (M) Station Fire Secondary(S) Main (M) Fire Station or Secondary (S) Fire M S1 S2 M S1 M S1 M M S1 M M M S1 S2 M M M Station M 8 8 B.GC.P. S1 13 12 S2 18 18 M 14 Bristol S1 28

Campbell’s Bay/ M 8 13 18 19 20 22 22 29 Litchfield S1 8 12 18 19 20 22 22 29 Fort-Coulonge M 19 19 3 34 32 37 20 M 40 Kazabazua S1 28 Mansfield-et- M 20 20 3 31 29 33 16 Pontefract Otter Lake M 22 22 40 28 20 M 34 31 15 Pontiac West S1 32 29 13 S2 37 33 17 Shawville/Clarendon M 14 28 22 22 Thorne M 29 29 20 Waltham M 20 16 15 13 17 Source: Google Map

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

**** Protection Objectives Established by the Pontiac MRC ****

 The municipalities identified in Table 12 will modify, where possible, the development of their respective Fire Stations.

5.2.4.2 Intervention Vehicles

** Overview of the Situation **

During the second year of the Fire Safety Cover Plan, intervention vehicles that required a ULC inspection were subject to this required inspection. As a result, more than half of the vehicles were replaced. All Pontiac MRC intervention vehicles are up-to-date in their annual inspections performed by the MRC Fire Prevention Technician who has undertaken the mandatory ULC Training.

As far as the two Pontiac MRC Elevation Vehicles (Aerial Ladder Trucks) are concerned, they were successfully tested in compliance with the manufacturer's requirements as well as those recommended in the Application Guide for Vehicles and Intervention Accessories.

In addition to periodic checking of pumps and regular mechanical maintenance (oil, brakes, etc.), Intervention Vehicles were duly inspected by the Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) to ensure mechanical reliability and road handling.

In the event of a temporary impediment for a FSS to deploy its own vehicles for various reasons (mechanical breakdowns, scheduled maintenance, other situations of force majeure or emergency circumstances), that FSS must plan to resolve this impediment by using the resources available, from the very initial alert, of municipalities most able to intervene, while ensuring optimal efficiency of the strike force.

Each year, Fire Safety Services perform mandatory maintenance and mechanical inspections procedures in compliance with the Regulation Respecting Safety Standards for Road Vehicles under the Highway Safety Code. It should be noted that maintenance must be done every six (6) months and that the Preventive Maintenance Program (PMP) activities can replace the Annual Mechanical Inspection.

Considering that the Pontiac MRC Fire Safety Services do not have Permanent Firefighters in their respective Fire Stations, Firefighting Vehicles are inspected after each intervention trip or once a week. The results obtained are recorded in a register.

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

Across the Pontiac MRC Territory, each FSS equipped with a Tanker Truck has a portable pump with a water flow rate greater than 1500 l/min. In addition, each Tanker Truck is equipped with a discharge valve having a minimum average water flow rate of 4000 l/min.

Table 14 on the following page refers to the allotment of Intervention Vehicles by Fire Safety Services (per Fire Station) and provides some details revolving around their respective characteristics.

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

Table 14 FSS Intervention Vehicles Characteristics As Well As Those of

Bordering FSS

)

Fire Safety Services

)

l/min) litres) cm)

Types of Vehicles Fire Station Vehicle Number MakeYear ULC Certification (Yes/No Pump Capacity (in Reservoir Capacity (in DrainValve (in Annual Testing (Successful Year Auto Pumper Truck 7 217 1997 Yes 5678 3409 - 2015 B.GC.P Self-Propelled Tanker Truck 8 218 2014 Yes 3974 13000 25x25 2015 Auto Pumper Truck 9 219 1997 Yes 4769 2000 - 2015 Auto Pumper Truck 1 211 1993 Yes 4543 2273 - 2016 Self-Propelled Tanker Truck 1 221 2010 Yes 4543 11365 25x25 2016 Bristol Equipment Truck 1 511 1986 - - - - - Tanker Truck 2 612 1996 Yes - 10456 25x25 2016 Auto Pumper Truck 10 2110 2007 Yes 4543 4546 - 2016 Aerial Ladder Truck 11 3111 1993 Yes 5678 2273 - 2016 Campbell’s Bay/ Equipment Truck 10 5110 1980 Yes - - - - Litchfield Tanker Truck 10 6110 1979 Yes - 6819 25x25 2016 Tanker Truck 11 6111 1989 Yes - 8183 25x25 2016 First Responder Truck 10 8110 2002 - - - - - Auto Pumper Truck 18 2118 1995 Yes 4000 3770 - 2016 Fort-Coulonge Equipment Truck 18 5118 2014 Yes - - - - Kazabazua Self-Propelled Tanker Truck 6 216 2014 Yes 5000 8000 25x25 2015 (Alleyn-et-Cawood) Self-Propelled Tanker Truck 12 2112 2011 Yes 4000 9092 25x25 2016 Self-Propelled Tanker Truck 12 2212 1990 Yes 4000 5682 25x25 2016 Mansfield-et- Equipment Truck 12 5112 1995 Yes - - - - Pontefract Tanker Truck 12 6112 1990 Yes - 8182 25x25 2016 First Responder Truck 12 8112 1997 Yes - - - - Self-Propelled Tanker Truck 5 215 2008 Yes 5000 11365 25x25 2015 Otter Lake Equipment Truck 5 515 2009 - - - - - Auto Pumper Truck 17 2117 2007 Yes 4000 3157 - 2015 Tanker Truck 17 6117 2010 Yes - 6800 25x25 2015 Auto Pumper Truck 15 2115 2014 Yes 4000 3785 - 2015 Pontiac West Equipment Truck 15 5115 2006 - - - - - Tanker Truck 15 6115 2006 Yes - 9500 25x25 2015 Tanker Truck 16 6216 1978 Yes - 5700 25x25 2015 Auto Pumper Truck 3 213 1992 Yes 5000 3636 - 2016 Aerial Ladder Truck 3 313 1989 Yes 5000 2270 - 2016 Shawville/ Tanker Truck 3 613 1979 Yes - 13638 25x25 2016 Clarendon Tanker Truck 3 623 2002 Yes - 5902 25x25 2016 Equipment Truck 3 513 1999 - - - - - Auto Pumper Truck 4 214 2007 Yes 4000 3179 - 2015 Thorne Equipment Truck 4 514 1984 - - - - - Tanker Truck 4 614 2015 Yes - 11365 25x25 2015 Auto Pumper Truck 14 2114 1989 Yes 4773 3364 - 2016 Waltham Equipment Truck 14 5114 1985 - - - - - Tanker Truck 14 6114 1995 Yes - 12000 25x25 2016 Kazabazua Auto Pumper Truck 12 212 2004 Yes 5000 3636 - 2015 (Kazabazua) Self-Propelled Tanker Truck 12 812 2004 Yes 4000 7000 25x25 2015 (Vallée-Gatineau MRC) Equipment Truck 12 1612 1999 - - - - - Source: Pontiac MRC FSS and Annual Inspection Report

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

**** Protection Objectives Established by the Pontiac MRC ****

 Maintain the Vehicle Inspection, Evaluation and Replacement Program based on existing standards and the Application Guide for Vehicles and Intervention Accessories.

 Continue to submit Annual Test Reports to the Pontiac MRC.

5.2.4.3 Intervention or Protection Equipment and Accessories

** Overview of the Situation **

Each Firefighter has a compliant Firefighting Uniform (two pieces) according to his/her size.

In each fire station, there is a minimum of four (4) respirators (APRIA) equipped with distress alarms and a spare bottle for each device. Fire Safety Services (FSS) conduct annual tests on all APRIA Respirators. All air cylinders undergo an annual visual inspection as well as an air change in compliance with the applicable standards and the recommendations of the Application Guide for Vehicles and Intervention Accessories.

FSS have implemented a maintenance program for such equipment based on the Application Guide for Vehicles and Intervention Accessories, standards, manufacturers' recommendations and performs periodic testing to maintain efficiency.

Table 15 hereafter refers to the distribution of APRIA Respirators per FSS as well as the number of available spare bottles. In addition, it indicates for each Fire Station the Class "A" Portable Pumps used by the FSS as well as the Portable Tanks embarked on board respective intervention vehicles.

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

Table 15 Equipment Characteristics

APRIA Number Number of Successful Number of Number Brand of of Class A Municipalities Spare Annual Portable of APRIA APRIA Portable Bottles Tests Tanks Pumps (Yes/No) 4 Survivair Yes B.GC.P. 28 1 1 7 MSA Yes Bristol 8 Scott 25 Yes 1 2 Campbell’s 14 Scott 50 Yes 1 2 Bay/Litchfield Fort-Coulonge 20 Scott 50 Yes 1 1 Kazabazua 2 Scott 2 Yes 1 1 (Alleyn-et-Cawood) Mansfield-et-Pontefract 15 Scott 57 Yes 2 2 18 Survivair Yes Otter Lake 19 1 1 1 Scott Yes 4 Scott Yes Pontiac West 24 1 2 17 MSA Yes Shawville/Clarendon 14 Scott 50 Yes 2 2 7 Survivair Yes Thorne 25 1 1 2 Dragger Yes Waltham 8 Scott 14 Yes 1 1 Total 137 - 350 - 13 16 Kazabazua (Kazabazua) 6 Scott 6 Yes 0 0 (VGMRC) Source: Pontiac MRC

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

**** Protection Objectives Established by the Pontiac MRC ****

 Maintain the Inspection, Evaluation and Replacement of Intervention Equipment and Firefighters Protection Program in conformity with manufacturers' requirements and based on relevant standards, and the Application Guide for Vehicles and Intervention Accessories designed by the Ministry of Public Security.

 Set up a specific Program for the Maintenance, Inspection, Decontamination and Replacement of Firefighting Uniform. This Program should be based on the NFPA 1851 Selection and Maintenance of Firefighting Uniform against Building Fires as well as manufacturers' instruction manuals.

 When replacing APRIA Respirators, Fire Safety Services (FSS) should consider the Pontiac MRC’s recommendation to standardize equipment in order to ensure compatibility between FSS to facilitate mutual assistance.

 Continue to submit Respirators Inspection Reports to the Pontiac MRC.

5.2.4.4 Communication Systems

Section 52.1 of the Civil Protection Act (CQLR c S-2.3) stipulates that every local municipality, except a northern village, must, in order to respond to emergency calls within its territory, ensure the services of a 9-1-1 Emergency Center which has duly obtained a Certificate of Conformity. All 9-1-1 Emergency Centers compliance is governed by the Standards, Specifications and Quality Criteria Regulations applicable to 9-1-1 Emergency Centers and some Secondary Emergency Centers.

** Overview of the Situation **

For the Pontiac MRC Territory, 9-1-1 emergency calls are handled by Compagnie CLR and fire emergency calls allotment is carried out by the Allotment Center of Les Collines- de-l'Outaouais MRC. Both centers are certified by the Ministry of Public Security. With regard to communications dispatched by the Secondary 9-1-1 Emergency Call Center, they are in compliance throughout the Pontiac MRC Territory.

The Pontiac MRC has set up an operational frequency that links each Fire Safety Service by radio frequency with the 9-1-1 Emergency Center and each of the intervention vehicles has a mobile radio. When Fire Safety Services intervene jointly at the fire site of an intervention, their radio communication systems use a common frequency in order to facilitate coordination work between Firefighters of different Fire Stations.

Each deployed Officer has a portable radio and all Firefighters have either a radio or a pager so that they can be reached at all times. All communication devices are inspected regularly.

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

**** Protection Objectives Established by the Pontiac MRC ****

 The Pontiac MRC will maintain the operational frequency and intends to ensure that Fire Safety Services use it during their intervention operations.

5.2.5. Intervention Staff

5.2.5.1 Number of Firefighters

Municipalities with more than 50,000 inhabitants should structure their Fire Safety Services (FSS), plan for the organization and delivery of assistance and rescue services, and provide intervention modalities to safeguard, in the case of low risks within their urban perimeter, the deployment of ten (10) Firefighters. The same applies to all municipalities with population under 50,000 whose FSS are able to rely on the availability of ten (10) or more Firefighters.

Although they should also aim to achieve this goal by establishing, wherever possible, intervention modalities involving the deployment of ten (10) Firefighters during the initial alert, it can be assumed that municipalities relying on Volunteer Firefighters find it hard to mobilize such a strike force. In this particular situation, a deployment of eight (8) Firefighters should be considered as minimal.

Since all municipalities within the Pontiac MRC Territory have fewer than 50,000 inhabitants and their FSS are largely operated by Volunteer or Part-Time Firefighters, a deployment of eight (8) Firefighters will be therefore considered.

Considering then that higher risks require the preparation and implementation of intervention plans, the development of these response plans will make it possible to determine the additional number of Firefighters to be mobilized at the moment of the initial alert. The contents of these intervention plans should also comply with major fire safety standards currently applicable, as reflected in the NFPA Recommended Practice for the Preparation of an Intervention Plan. For risks that have not yet been the subject of an intervention plan, the FSS will have to mobilize four (4) additional Firefighters to those indicated for low risks.

In order to obtain reasonable assurance of staff availability, FSS Managers will periodically – based on the time of day, week or year – validate the information recorded in their Staff Deployment Protocols and, if necessary, make appropriate changes.

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

Table 16 below shows the Number of Firefighters deployed in each FSS.

Tableau 16 Number of Officers and Firefighters

1 Number of Number of FSS Fire Station 2 Total Officers Firefighters 7 4 13 B.GC.P. 8 0 5 24 9 1 1 1 5 14 Bristol 21 2 0 2 10 1 13 Campbell’s Bay/Litchfield 23 11 5 4 Fort-Coulonge 18 6 22 28 Kazabazua 6 1 1 2 (Alleyn-et-Cawood) Mansfield-et-Pontefract 12 6 30 36 Otter Lake 5 6 14 20 15 6 13 Pontiac West 16 5 8 34 17 0 2 Shawville/Clarendon 3 8 19 27 Thorne 4 5 10 15 Waltham 14 2 13 15 Total 17 61 184 245 Kazabazua (VGMRC) 12 1 12 13 Source: Pontiac MRC Note 1: number of Firefighters per Fire Station. Note 2: Officers include Lieutenants, Captains, Directors and Management Personnel. Note: Fire Prevention Technician (FPT) = no FPT in all municipalities, one (1) FPT at the Pontiac MRC.

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

5.2.5.2 Training of Firefighters

Since the enactment by the Government of Quebec in 2004 of the Regulation Respecting the Conditions Governing the Exercise of Functions within a Municipal Fire Safety Service, all Firefighters working for a FSS must comply with the standards legislated in this Regulation.

** Overview of the Situation **

All FSS Firefighters and Officers throughout the Pontiac MRC Territory abide by the aforementioned Regulation.

**** Protection Objectives Established by the Pontiac MRC ****

 Pontiac MRC FSS will maintain their operational standards in compliance with the Regulation Respecting the Conditions Governing the Exercise of Functions within a Municipal Fire Safety Service.

 A Regional Training Program will be implemented to allow Firefighters from a FSS to go to another FSS in order to practice in situations where he/she would have missed his/her monthly practice.

5.2.5.3 Training, Health and Safety of Firefighters

** Overview of the Situation **

All FSS are equipped with and apply the Regional Training Program. It goes without saying that the application of the Occupational Health and Safety Program allows Firefighters to use equipment in an efficient and safe manner, and to sensitize them about safe intervention methods in dangerous locations.

Furthermore, all Pontiac MRC Municipalities were required to develop and implement a prevention program as defined in the Regulation Respecting Prevention Programs (S-2.1, r.10) entrenched within the Act Respecting Occupational Health and Safety (chapter S- 2.1).

**** Protection Objectives Established by the Pontiac MRC ****

 Maintain the Training Program inspired by the framework of the École nationale des pompiers (National School for Firefighters) and the NFPA 1500 Standard on an ad hoc and regular basis.

 Maintain the Municipal Prevention Program by involving the FSS Manager or his /her representative responsible for occupational health and safety.

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

5.2.5.4 Availability of Firefighters

According to the Fire Safety Guidelines of the Minister of Public Security, which are the rules and regulations in force within the Province of Quebec, eight (8) to ten (10) Firefighters must be deployed when there is a building fire involving a low risk.

** Overview of the Situation **

Table 17 below refers to the number of Firefighters available (Firefighters able to go to the Fire Station according to the mobilization time recorded), depending on the time of day.

Table 17 Availability and Mobilization Time of Firefighters

Firefighters Available to Intervene at the Moment of an Initial Alert

FSS Week Days Week-End

Day Time Night Time Number of Mobilization 1 Number of Mobilization Number of Mobilization Firefighters Time Firefighters Time 1 Firefighters Time 1 B.GC.P. 4 8 20 8 20 8 Bristol 8 10 12 10 15 10 Campbell’s Bay/Litchfield 4 8 18 8 18 8 Fort-Coulonge 6 5 25 5 25 5 Kazabazua 1 10 2 10 2 10 (Alleyn-et-Cawood) Mansfield-et-Pontefract 6 10 18 10 18 10 Otter Lake 4 9 12 9 12 9 Pontiac West 6 10 20 10 6 10 Shawville/Clarendon 8 8 18 8 18 8 Thorne 4 10 8 10 8 10 Waltham 7 9 12 9 12 9 Total 60 9 165 9 154 9 Kazabazua (VGMRC) 5 8 8 8 8 8 Source: Pontiac MRC FSS Note 1: average for Year 4 of the Fire Safety Cover Plan.

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

The Pontiac MRC relies on a total of two hundred and forty five (245) Firefighters to ensure fire safety across its territory. None of the Fire Safety Services (FSS) can rely on Full-Time Firefighters. Throughout the Pontiac MRC Territory, there is one (1) Fire Prevention Technician (FPT) and all FSS have Trained Firefighters to conduct Investigation for the Causes and Circumstances of a Fire (ICCF). The allotment of Firefighters per FSS is also portrayed in Table 16.

However, the impact of this strike force may be variable due to certain circumstances (summer vacations, hunting, fishing, etc.). All municipalities have fewer Firefighters available during certain times of the year. Considering that the majority of Pontiac MRC citizens must go outside to work, most of the FSS cannot reach the objectives of eight (8) Firefighters within 15 minutes during day time all week long as required by the Fire Safety Cover Plan.

FSS Directors have therefore established automatic dispatch protocols to meet this requirement. In the event that FSS Directors need to modify their deployment protocols, they will have to send them to the 9-1-1 Emergency Center as soon as these documents become available.

Calculation Method

In order to determine the time required for the arrival of the strike force in a given area, it is sufficient to consider the mobilization time of Firefighters (____ minutes) and the time required to move the required resources to the intervention site (56.3 km/h in a rural area and 48 km/h in an urban area as specified within the NFPA 1142 Standard: Water Supply for Fire Fighting in Semi-Urban and Rural Areas. In French: norme NFPA 1142 Approvisionnement en eau pour la lutte contre l’incendie en milieu semi-urbain et rural).

The estimated speed/velocity movement of NFPA's Emergency Vehicles is 0.93 km per minute (56.3 km/h) in rural areas and 0.80 km per minute (48 km/h) in urban areas.

For example: 5 kilometers/0.94 = 5.4 minutes + 8 minutes of mobilization time = 13.3 minutes

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

5.2.5.5 Predetermined Intervention Plans

** Overview of the Situation **

Throughout the first four (4) years of the Fire Safety Cover Plan, 85% of the intervention plans were prepared or designed by FSS Directors. Of these, 6 of the 12 FSS have already met their targets regarding the number of Predetermined Intervention Plans as far as the previous Fire Safety Cover Plan is concerned. Two (2) other FSS (Campbell's Bay/Litchfield and Shawville/Clarendon) will be able to reach their targets during the last year of the previous Fire Safety Cover Plan.

**** Protection Objectives Established by the Pontiac MRC ****

 FSS that will not have completed their intervention plans at the rate of 100% before the end of the previous Fire Safety Cover Plan must have them completed during the first year of this current Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan.

 All FSS, in collaboration with the Pontiac MRC, aim at continuing to apply and improve the achievement of their intervention plans for higher risks according to the time frame outlined in Table 18 on the following page.

 All FSS, collaboratively with the Pontiac MRC, intend to revise their intervention plans once a year.

 All FSS, working in cooperation with the Pontiac MRC, target to validate one (1) to two (2) intervention plans per year by duly operating and maneuvering those plans.

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

Table 18 Intervention Plans to be Achieved or Updated per Year

Number of Intervention Plans FSS Low Risks High Risks Very High Risks B.GC.P. 131 8 4 Bristol 164 4 4 Campbell’s Bay/Litchfield 145 7 14 Fort-Coulonge 50 4 7 Kazabazua 7 3 1 (Alleyn-et-Cawood) Mansfield-et-Pontefract 69 17 10 Otter Lake 31 4 3 Pontiac West 180 9 10 Rapide-des-Joachims 7 3 1 Shawville/Clarendon 333 33 18 Thorne 32 3 4 Waltham 16 1 1 Total 1 165 96 77 Source: Pontiac MRC

With the assistance of the Pontiac MRC Fire Prevention Technician, the activities planning by respective municipalities will be to set up the Annual Timetable and Targets for the Implementation of Intervention Plans specifying the priority status of certain buildings.

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

5.2.5.6 Summary of Objectives 2 and 3

 Mobilize eight (8) Firefighters at the moment of the initial alert for low risks.

 For higher risks (medium, high and very high), at the time of the initial alert, mobilize the number of additional Firefighters required by the intervention plan. For those risks which have not yet been covered by such an intervention plan, the additional mobilization of four (4) Firefighters to those needed for low risks is compulsory.

 For areas not serviced by an aqueduct system, a volume of 15,000 liters of water should be available at the moment of the initial alert.

 Mobilize a compliant Auto-Pumper Truck or Self-Propelled Tanker Truck for areas serviced by a compliant water system (1500 l/min for 30 minutes).

 Mobilize two (2) Tanker Trucks when the distance permits in addition to a compliant Auto-Pumper Truck or Self-Propelled Tanker Truck for areas not serviced by a compliant water supply system.

Note: Firefighters assigned to water supply are not considered within the staff or personnel deployed for the strike force.

 Carry out or update intervention plans according to the frequencies determined within the Fire Safety Cover Plan.

**** Protection Objectives Established by the Pontiac MRC *****

 Maintain and, if applicable, enhance Mutual Assistance Agreements so that the strike force is always optimal.

 Improve intervention procedures based on the Operations Guide for Fire Safety Services.

 Update deployment protocols as a result of updating the risks as well as resources available, and in the course of particular problematic periods.

 Communicate deployment protocols to the 9-1-1 Emergency Call Center as soon as they are available or modified/updated/revised.

 Continue to enhance and, where appropriate, to standardize the communication devices made available to the FSS and the frequency waves used.

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

5.3 OBJECTIVE 4: SELF-PROTECTION MEASURES

** Overview of the Situation **

During his inspections, the Pontiac MRC Fire Prevention Technician (FPT) emphasized the upgrading of self-protection systems that were already in place but not functional.

Self-protection measures implemented during the last five (5) years have made it possible to carry out the following operations within the Pontiac MRC Territory:

 An increased time frame frequency for inspecting smoke detectors.

 The presence within residences of portable fire extinguishers and the proposal of having at least one (1) per residence.

**** Protection Objectives Established by the Pontiac MRC ****

 Continue to promote the implementation of the following self-protection measures:  Use of portable fire extinguishers.  Installation of fixed systems.  Rapid detection mechanisms, etc.

5.4 OBJECTIVE 5: OTHER RISKS OF LOSSES/DISASTERS

** Overview of the Situation **

In the previous Fire Safety Cover Plan, the Pontiac MRC decided not to include other risks of losses or disasters. However, FSS which already offered some services chose to continue to provide them.

**** Protection Objectives Established by the Pontiac MRC ****

 The Pontiac MRC decided not to include other risks of losses or disasters in this current Revise Fire Safety Cover Plan. Nevertheless, the services already offered will continue to be provided by the FSS of respective municipalities.

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

5.5 OBJECTIVE 6: MAXIMUM USE OF RESOURCES DEVOTED TO FIRE SAFETY

** Overview of the Situation **

The deployment of resources described in Objectives 2 and 3 must disregard municipal boundaries and take into account all the resources available at regional level in order to design the terms or methods of delivery according to the risks to be covered and also the proximity of the FSS located across the Pontiac MRC Territory.

In connection with these objectives, the achievement of Smoke Detectors and Public Awareness Programs is carried out by the FSS Firefighters in collaboration with the Regional Coordinator.

Each municipality equipped with a water supply system and water supply facilities has developed and implemented a Regional Maintenance Program.

The Pontiac MRC ensures the link with urban planning in order to update risks analysis throughout its territory.

**** Protection Objectives Established by the Pontiac MRC ****

 Continue to sensitize the participating municipalities in their urban planning and participate in the revision of the urban planning development, in particular with reference to the location of fire risks within their respective territories and possible modifications to the deployment objectives (modification of urban perimeters).

5.6 OBJECTIVE 7: USING SUPRA-MUNICIPAL LEVEL SERVICES

** Overview of the Situation **

The FSS Firefighters Training is under the responsibility of municipalities in coordination with the Pontiac MRC. Éduc-Expert and the CEGEP de l'Outaouais are the designated Training Managers working on behalf of the École nationale des pombiers (National School for Firefighters).

The Pontiac MRC hired a specialized Fire Prevention Technician in order to apply the Higher Risks Inspection Program. A Coordinator is also hired on a full-time basis to implement the Fire Safety Cover Plan, to act as a support towards FSS Directors, to lead the existing Fire Safety Committees and to collect all required information in order to write the Fire Safety Annual Report transmitted to the Ministry of Public Security of the Government of Quebec.

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

**** Protection Objectives Established by the Pontiac MRC ****

 Maintain a qualified fire prevention resource or personnel and make it available to Fire Safety Services.

 Continue to ensure the coordination of the Fire Safety Cover Plan and the follow- up monitoring of its implementation. Uphold the Fire Safety Committees to safeguard that the operative actions of the Fire Safety Cover Plan are duly undertaken.

 Keep on writing the Fire Safety Annual Report required by section 35 of the Fire Safety Act (S.Q., 2000, c.20) and communicate its content to the Council of Mayors.

5.7 OBJECTIVE 8: HARMONIZING RESOURCES AND ORGANIZATIONS DEVOTED TO FIRE SAFETY

** Overview of the Situation **

The Pontiac MRC, the Vallée-de-la-Gatineau MRC, the Collines-de-l'Outaouais MRC and the Papineau MRC have set up a Rural Committee which also comprises the following partners:

 Public Security Regional Coordinator, Papineau MRC.  Fire Prevention Technician & Fire Safety Coordinator, Collines-de-l'Outaouais MRC.  Public and Civil Safety Coordinator, MRC Pontiac.  Fire Safety Coordinator & Prevention Officer, Vallée-de-la-Gatineau MRC.  CCS (Urgence-Santé) Call Center Coordinator.  9-1-1 Emergency Call Center Coordinator, Collines-de-l'Outaouais MRC.  Sûreté du Québec.  Collines-de-l'Outaouais MRC Police Service.  Ministère des Transports, Mobilité durable et Électrification des transports du Québec.  Outaouais Ambulance Co-operative.

The Rural Committee meets consecutively every two (2) months within each of the respective MRC. At each meeting, the FSS Directors of the corresponding MRC where the Rural Committee meeting is being held are invited to join the group.

Reports are produced after each bi-monthly meeting.

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

**** Protection Objectives Established by the Pontiac MRC ****

 The Pontiac MRC will keep on maintaining the already set up Rural Committee.

 The Rural Committee will, if required, use resources specialized in specific fields (civil security, Hydro-Québec, etc.).

 It will meet at least four (4) times per year and will continue to produce a report about its meetings to be transmitted to the Fire Safety Committee.

 Its mandate will be to clearly define the roles and responsibilities of each intervener within the context of emergency interventions.

CHAPTER 6

PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS

Consultation with Local Authorities

Pursuant to the provisions of section 15 of the Fire Safety Act (S.Q., 2000, c.20), during the months of September and October 2016, municipalities of the Pontiac MRC were consulted on the objectives determined in the Fire Safety Cover Plan and endorsed by the Pontiac MRC Council.

During the consultations, the requirements of the first Fire Safety Cover Plan that remain unchanged as well as the proposed changes were highlighted by the different interveners. The attending audience was mainly composed of Elected Municipal Officials, General Directors and Fire Safety Services Managers.

Public Consultation

In compliance with section 18 of the Fire Safety Act (S.Q., 2000, c.20), the draft of the Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan was submitted for Public Consultation.

A Public Notice was published in Pontiac Journal – Le Journal du Pontiac, September 21, 2016 issue, which is distributed free to all the citizens of Pontiac MRC and the Public Consultation was organized on October 11, 2016.

Synthesis of Comments Received

There were no comments or recommendation during the Public Consultation.

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

CHAPTER 7

IMPLEMENTATION PLANS

The following Implementation Plans constitute an action plan that the Pontiac MRC, as well as each participating local municipality, must apply as soon as the Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan enters into force.

These Implementation Plans identify milestones, timelines/deadlines, responsible municipal authorities, as well as cost estimates in order to achieve each of the specific applicable objectives. It should be noted that to simplify and lighten the current newly Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan, the Implementation Plans have been consolidated into one (1) single document.

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

FIRE SAFETY SERVICES / MRC IMPLEMENTATION PLAN – ACTIONS

Timeline/

Costs*

Deadline

ilgaut

Approved by Resolutions of the Participating Municipalities and the Pontiac MRC

- -

MRC B.GC.P. Bristol Campbell's Bay/ Litchfield Fort Coulonge Kazabazua Mansfield et Pontefract OtterLake Pontiac West Rapides des Joachims Shawville Clarendon Thorne Lac U Waltham (Alleyn Cawood) REGIONAL ACTIONS Continue to ensure coordination of the newly Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan and follow-up monitoring of At All 1 X 55,000$ implementation. Times Update existing risks across the Pontiac MRC Territory, locate them on a map and make changes to resource At All 2 X 1,000$ deployments, if applicable. Times At All 3 Maintain the meeting of the Fire Safety Committee. X 1,000$ Times Sustain the establishment of a Regional Consultation Committee (as per Objective 8) and organize at least one At All 4 X 1,500$ meeting per year. Times Keep on compiling Fire Safety Services (FSS) data in order to complete the Annual Fire Safety Report (section 5 35 of the Fire Safety Act, S.Q., 2000, c.20) and send it to the Ministry of Public Security in compliance with the Annually X None timelines/deadlines scheduled in the Fire Safety Act (S.Q., 2000, c.20). PREVENTION ACTIONS Incidents Evaluation and Analysis At All 6 Maintain and enhance the Incidents Evaluation and Analysis Program. X X X X X X X X X X X X X None Times Ensure that each FSS continues to complete the Fire Intervention Report (DSI-2003) after each intervention and At All 7 X X X X X X X X X X X X X None communicate it to the Pontiac MRC within ten (10) days of the on-site intervention. Times Make sure that the Pontiac MRC sends the Fire Intervention Report (DSI-2003) to the Ministry of Public Security At All 8 X None within the prescribed deadline/timeline. Times Ensure that each Fire Safety Service is equipped with a personnel trained in Investigation into the Causes and At All 9 X 50,000$ Circumstances of Fires (ICCF). Times Regional Regulations At All 10 Maintain and improve Regional Fire Prevention Regulations. X None Times Smoke Detectors Installation & Inspection Keep on applying the Smoke Detectors Installation and Inspection Program according to specific timelines or 20% per 11 X X X X X X X X X X X X X 5,000$ deadlines. Year Establish a specific prevention program for certain sectors, properties or activities, as a result of the identification Starting of gaps/flaws/deficiencies that cannot be resolved in terms of intervention (areas where it is impossible to reach 12 from Year X None the strike force within a timeline of less than 15 minutes), which may include self-protection and prevention 1 measures, explicit regulatory provisions, etc. Higher Risks Inspection 20% per 13 Apply the Higher Risks Inspection Program by deploying a Fire Prevention Technician at scheduled intervals. X 5,000$ Year At All 14 Carry out Predetermined Intervention Plans according to scheduled timelines or deadlines. X X X X X X X X X X X X None Times Public Awareness At All 15 Keep applying and improving the Public Awareness Program. X 10,000$ Times FSS ORGANISATION Human Resources Training Train human resources in compliance with the Regulation Respecting the Conditions Governing the Exercise of At All 16 X X X X X X X X X X X 50,000$ Functions within a Municipal Fire Safety Service. Times Training Program Maintain and enhance the Training Program based on the framework of the École nationale des pompiers At All 17 (National School for Firefighters) and the NFPA 1500 Standard on an ad hoc and regular basis. X X X X X X X X X X X 10,000$ Times

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

FIRE SAFETY SERVICES / MRC IMPLEMENTATION PLAN – ACTIONS

Timeline/

Costs*

Deadline

ilgaut

Approved by Resolutions of the Participating Municipalities and the Pontiac MRC

- -

MRC B.GC.P. Bristol Campbell's Bay/ Litchfield Fort Coulonge Kazabazua Mansfield et Pontefract OtterLake Pontiac West Rapides des Joachims Shawville Clarendon Thorne Lac U Waltham (Alleyn Cawood) Maintain the Occupational Health and Safety Program or have a designated Occupational Health and Safety At All 18 X X X X X X X X X X X None Officer. Times Vehicles At All 19 Maintain and improve the Vehicle Inspection and Evaluation Program based on current standards. X X X X X X X X X X X 2,000$ Times Equipment Maintain and enhance the Inspection, Evaluation and Replacement of Firefighting Intervention Equipment and At All 20 X X X X X X X X X X 2,000$ Firefighters Protection Program according to manufacturers’ requirements and based on relevant standards. Times Starting Establish a specific Maintenance, Inspection, Decontamination and Replacement of Firefighting Uniform 21 from Year X None Program. This program should be guided by the relevant requirements regulating this sector. 1 At All 22 Maintain and improve the operational frequency made available to FSS. X 10,000$ Times INTERVENTION At All 23 Maintain and improve Mutual Assistance Automatic Agreements so that the strike force is always optimal. X X X X X X X X X X None Times Update deployment protocols as a result of updating the risks and available resources, and transmit them to the At All 24 X X X X X X X X X X None 9-1-1 Emergency Center. Times SELF-PROTECTION MEASURES Continue to promote the establishment and application of Self-Protection Measures such as industrial brigade, At All 25 X None use of portable fire extinguishers, installation of fixed systems, rapid detection mechanisms. Times RESOURCES DEVOTED TO FIRE SAFETY Continue to sensitize participating municipalities in their Urban Planning and during the revision of their Urban At All 26 Planning Development, in particular with reference to the location of fire risks throughout their respective X None Times territories and possible modifications to the deployment objectives (modification of Urban Perimeters – UP). Note*: unless otherwise indicated, costs are recurring each year.

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

CHAPTER 8

CONCLUSION

Changes introduced in the new Fire Safety Legislation have entrusted regional authorities with the mandate to plan fire safety measures throughout their corresponding territories. This current exercise of producing a newly Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan is therefore a continuation of Fire Safety Planning all across the Pontiac MRC Territory.

Duly designed and elaborated in compliance with the Fire Safety Guidelines of the Minister of Public Security, this newly Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan is intended to be a tool for continuous improvement of Fire Safety Planning throughout the Pontiac MRC Territory. Prevention visits by Firefighters to residents’ homes and inspections carried out by human resources trained in fire safety measures for higher risks make it possible to enhance the identification and understanding of risks prevailing across the municipalities of Pontiac MRC Territory. The Multi-Fire-Stations Deployment allows Firefighters of various Fire Safety Services to develop a partnership collegiality among themselves and to standardize diverse command structures. The Fire Safety Budget dedicated to fire safety demonstrates that Elected Municipal Officials have become aware of the importance of having access to Fire Safety Services Personnel who are better equipped and trained to improve the safety of their fellow citizens.

The implementation of the first Fire Safety Cover Plan made it possible to identify fire safety deficiencies within the Pontiac MRC Territory. However, over the last few years, several meetings with the Fire Safety Committee, General Directors and Elected Municipal Officials have been the subject of many discussions and solutions have been found to remedy most of these fire safety flaws.

Therefore, taking into account all the changes that the implementation of the objectives of the first Fire Safety Cover Plan have allowed us to achieve, there is no doubt that the level of protection against fire will be further improved following the implementation of this newly Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan produced by the Pontiac MRC.

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

Appendix A: Map of Fire Protection Cover in Terms of Water Supply for Campbell’s Bay Municipality

Translator’s note: the above map is a static screen snapshot inside which word processing cannot be done. Consequently, the translator cannot translate into English the map’s geographical features and short content of its legend. However, for comprehension purposes, the Translator is herewith enclosing, outside the static screen snapshot, the translated short content of the map’s legend: Appendix A – Legend Fire Stations Fire Hydrants Dry Fire Hydrant, Orange, Grey, Red, Black, Blue Geomatics Services, Pontiac MRC Designed by: Guy Tellier, [email protected] Date: 15/09/2016

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

Appendix B: Map of Fire Protection Cover in Terms of Water Supply for Fort-Coulonge Municipality

Translator’s note: the above map is a static screen snapshot inside which word processing cannot be done. Consequently, the translator cannot translate into English the map’s geographical features and short content of its legend. However, for comprehension purposes, the Translator is herewith enclosing, outside the static screen snapshot, the translated short content of the map’s legend: Appendix B – Legend Fire Stations Fire Hydrants Red, Grey, Orange, Green Geomatics Services, Pontiac MRC Designed by: Guy Tellier, [email protected] Date: 16/09/2016

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

Appendix C: Map of Fire Protection Cover in Terms of Water Supply for L’Isle-aux-Allumettes Municipality

Translator’s note: the above map is a static screen snapshot inside which word processing cannot be done. Consequently, the translator cannot translate into English the map’s geographical features and short content of its legend. However, for comprehension purposes, the Translator is herewith enclosing, outside the static screen snapshot, the translated short content of the map’s legend: Appendix C – Legend Fire Station Fire Hydrants Grey, Orange, Red, Dry Fire Hydrant Geomatics Services, Pontiac MRC Designed by: Guy Tellier, [email protected] Date: 21/09/2016

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

Appendix D: Map of Fire Protection Cover in Terms of Water Supply for Otter Lake Municipality

Translator’s note: the above map is a static screen snapshot inside which word processing cannot be done. Consequently, the translator cannot translate into English the map’s geographical features and short content of its legend. However, for comprehension purposes, the Translator is herewith enclosing, outside the static screen snapshot, the translated short content of the map’s legend: Appendix D – Legend Fire Station Fire Hydrants Orange, Green, Blue, Dry Fire Hydrant Geomatics Services, Pontiac MRC Designed by: Guy Tellier, [email protected] Date: 20/09/2016

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

Appendix E: Map of Fire Protection Cover in Terms of Water Supply for Shawville and Clarendon Municipalities

Translator’s note: the above map is a static screen snapshot inside which word processing cannot be done. Consequently, the translator cannot translate into English the map’s geographical features and short content of its legend. However, for comprehension purposes, the Translator is herewith enclosing, outside the static screen snapshot, the translated short content of the map’s legend: Appendix D – Legend Fire Station Fire Hydrants Orange, Red, Green, Dry Fire Hydrant Geomatics Services, Pontiac MRC Designed by: Guy Tellier, [email protected] Date: 20/09/2016

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

Appendix F: Map of Fire Protection Cover in Terms of Water Supply for Mansfield-et-Pontrefact Municipality

Translator’s note: the above map is a static screen snapshot inside which word processing cannot be done. Consequently, the translator cannot translate into English the map’s geographical features and short content of its legend. However, for comprehension purposes, the Translator is herewith enclosing, outside the static screen snapshot, the translated short content of the map’s legend: Appendix F – Legend Fire Stations Fire Hydrants Grey Geomatics Services, Pontiac MRC Designed by: Guy Tellier, [email protected] Date: 16/09/2016

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

Appendix G: Map of the Location of Dry Fire Hydrants for Pontiac MRC

Translator’s note: the above map is a static screen snapshot inside which word processing cannot be done. Consequently, the translator cannot translate into English the map’s geographical features and short content of its legend. However, for comprehension purposes, the Translator is herewith enclosing, outside the static screen snapshot, the translated short content of the map’s legend: Appendix G – Legend Dry Fire Hydrants Geomatics Services, Pontiac MRC Designed by: Guy Tellier, [email protected] Date: 21/09/2016

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

APPENDIX H

Map of Fire Protection Cover for Pontiac MRC

Pontiac MRC Revised Fire Safety Cover Plan

APPENDIX I

Municipal Resolutions Concerning Local Implementation Plans: please see pages 55 and 56 of this newly Revised Fire Protection Cover Plan.