DocumentsStaff ReportNov 7, 2016Pages 46–47
Staff Report – British Columbia Structure Firefighter Competency and Training Playbook and Requirement for Council to Declare Firefighting Service Level
Fire Department staff report asking Council to declare Langford Fire Rescue's service level (recommended: Full Service Operations) to align with the BC Fire Service Playbook training standards and to update Bylaw 87 accordingly.
Key facts
- Recommendation: Declare Langford Fire Rescue as 'Full Service Operations' or indicate alternate level (exterior/interior only)
- Playbook defines minimum competencies and links Service Level to training requirements under the Fire Services Act
- Attachment: BC Fire Service Minimum Training Standards and City of Langford Bylaw 87
Staff Report – British Columbia Structure Firefighter Competency and Training Playbook and Requirement for Council to Declare Firefighting Service Level
Date: November 7, 2016
Department: Fire Rescue
Subject
British Columbia Structure Firefighter Competency and Training Playbook (Playbook) and the Legislated Requirement for Council to Declare Its Firefighting Service Level
Background
The Office of the Fire Commissioner of British Columbia provided the City of Langford with a document entitled "The British Columbia Structure Firefighter Competency and Training Playbook (Playbook)". The Playbook is intended for each local government across British Columbia to look at their Fire Services from within and declare its firefighting "Service Level". This Service Level is to be established in order to determine minimum training standards and to provide a level of safety to workers along with the public.
The Playbook was derived from the Fire Chiefs Association of British Columbia, Fire Services Liaison Group and the Coroner's Inquiry into the fire death of Clearwater Volunteer Fire Fighter Chad Schapansky.
The Playbook establishes and describes the minimum competencies required of firefighter roles in the following three (3) categories:
- Exterior Operations Level Firefighter
- Interior Operations Level Firefighter
- Full-Service Operations Level Firefighter
Pursuant to section 3(b) of the Fire Services Act of BC, each local government is to declare its firefighting service level in order to determine the minimum training standard to be met. This declared service level needs to be fully reflected in the fire department's operating guidelines, policies and training programs.
This Playbook and establishment of the local government service level are intended to provide an industry recognized minimum standard of training that utilizes, and bridges to, the current National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Fire Fighter qualifications.
2nd Floor • 877 Goldstream Avenue • Langford, BC Canada • V9B 2X8
T • 250-478-7882 F • 250-478-7864
Commentary
Langford Fire Rescue is currently considered a Full Service Operations Fire Department and the proposed declaration as Full Service Operations Fire Department is supported through the operational guidelines and training programs established by the Langford Fire Rescues Service.
Upon Council formally declaring the desired service level, Bylaw 87 referred to as the "L.F.P.D. Bylaw" adopted April 1989 which in today's standard would be considered as the Establishing and Regulating Bylaw, will need to be updated to reflect current relative language and Councils direction for service levels.
Recommendations
That Council:
- declare that Langford Fire Rescue is a Full Service Operations Fire Department and instruct staff to update Bylaw 87 to reflect Councils direction; OR
- That Council indicate an alternative level of service, such as exterior or interior only.
Respectfully Submitted,
Submitted by:
Bob Beckett, Fire Chief
Concurrence:
Steve Ternent, Treasurer
Concurrence:
Jim Bowden, Chief Administrative Officer
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Attached: BC Fire Service Minimum Training Standards
City of Langford Bylaw 87