HomeMy WebLinkAboutFIR 03-23
Report to Council
Report Number: FIR 03-23
Date: March 27, 2023
From: Steve Boyd
Fire Chief
Subject: 2023 Pre-Budget Approval: Installation of Hopes Cradle in Fire Station # 2
-Gems for Gems, March 6, 2023 Executive Committee Meeting
Item 5.1, Delegate 3.2
-File: A-1440-001-23
Recommendation:
1. That Report FIR 03-23 regarding the installation of a Hopes Cradle safe infant surrender
shelter be received;
2. That 2023 Capital pre-budget be established for the estimated installation costs of the
Hopes Cradle in the amount of $25,000.00 (net of HST rebate) to be funded from the
Casino Reserve;
3. That the ongoing remote monitoring costs of $30.00 (HST excluded) per month be
included in the annual Current Budget; and,
4. That the appropriate officials of the City of Pickering be authorized to take the necessary
actions as indicated in this report.
Executive Summary: At the Executive Committee Meeting of March 6, 2023, Council
requested that staff prepare a preliminary substantive Report to Council regarding the
feasibility of the installation of a Hopes Cradle in Pickering Fire Station 2, located at 553
Kingston Road.
Financial Implications: The estimated total cost for the project is $25,000.00 (net of HST
rebate), plus $30.00 (HST excluded) per month for remote monitoring.
It is recommended that pre-budget approval is given for the installation of the Hopes Cradle in
the amount of $25,000.00 (net of HST rebate) to be funded from the Casino Reserve. The
ongoing remote monitoring costs of $30.00 (HST excluded) per month will be included in the
annual Current Budget.
Discussion: Hopes Cradle is a non-profit organization that is managed and operated under
the larger charitable organization – Gems for Gems based in Calgary, Alberta. The mission of
Hope’s Cradle is to provide collaborative support to new mothers in need and to save new
born infants from unsafe abandonment.
FIR 03-23 March 27, 2023
Subject: Installation of Hopes Cradle in Fire Station # 2 Page 2
Hopes Cradle provides the safe surrender process for infants through specialized drop-off
installations of which the majority are situated in municipal fire halls across North America.
Currently, there is one Hopes Cradle installation in Strathmore, Alberta, with current
discussions to install one in Clarington, Ontario.
On January 11, 2023, the Pickering Fire Services Fire Chief attended an initial meeting with
Mayor Ashe, and Hopes Cradle representative Lynn Jeffs. At this meeting, Ms. Jeffs presented
her vision of a Hopes Cradle installation for a Pickering fire hall and discussed with the Fire
Chief and the Mayor details of the organization’s mandate and vision, as well as which
Pickering Fire Station would be best suited for installation of a unit.
Given its proximity to the Pickering/Toronto border, the access to bus routes, and the adaptive
and suitable design of the building, Fire Station 2 located at 553 Kingston Road in Pickering
was identified as the best suited location for an installation of a Hopes Cradle.
The installation requires a footprint area that is 32” long x 32” wide by 30” deep. There are
several tall windows on the west side of the apparatus bay in Fire Station 2 that are between
32”-40” wide and 80” high and may be utilized as an opening to facilitate the installation of the
unit. There would be minimal encroachment onto the apparatus bay floor area, and there is
ample 120V AC power in proximity of the proposed installation location.
Installation is provided by a vendor contracted by Gems for Gems, and through discussion with
the City’s Human Resources department and Risk Management Division, it has been
determined that the installer meets all the WSIB and liability insurance requireme nts to perform
the work on site. The time required for installation and testing is approximately two weeks.
Prepared By:
Steve Boyd
Fire Chief
SB:jm
Recommended for the consideration
of Pickering City Council
Approved/Endorsed By:
Stan Karwowski
Director, Finance & Treasurer
Marisa Carpino, M.A.
Chief Administrative Officer
Original Signed By Original Signed By
Original Signed By