HomeMy WebLinkAboutFIR 06-23Report to Council
Report Number: FIR 06-23
Date: November 27, 2023
From: Steve Boyd
Fire Chief
Subject: FireSafe Pickering and the Community Emergency Preparedness Grant
-Grant Application
-File: A-1440-001-23
Recommendation:
1.That Report FIR 06-23 regarding FireSafe Pickering and the Community Emergency
Preparedness Grant Application be received;
2. That Council authorize City staff to apply for the Community Emergency Preparedness
Grant (CEPG) to provide funding for smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and program
delivery tools, to assist with training programs (such as FireSafe Pickering) or other
operational needs; and,
3.That the appropriate officials of the City of Pickering be authorized to take the necessary
actions as indicated in this report.
Executive Summary: FireSafe Pickering operates as a door-to-door educational program
by Pickering Fire Services staff to ensure residents are equipped with working smoke and
carbon monoxide alarms. Residents are further informed of the dangers associated with fire
and carbon monoxide, along with home escape planning, home safety, and fire prevention
measures. Staff deliver this program using existing GIS-equipped mobile devices and, as part
of the program, distribute smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to residents in urgent need of
devices or to those facing barriers.
Financial Implications: FireSafe Pickering operates as an existing educational program
funded through Fire Services Current Budget. The application of Provincial grant funds
provided through the CPEG Grant will expand the program’s capability and outreach for the
2024 year. The City will not be required to contribute any funding towards this grant
application, if successful.
Discussion: The Fire Protection and Prevention Act 1997 directs a municipality to
“establish a program in the municipality that must include public education with respect to fire
safety and certain components of fire prevention”.
To meet this requirement, Pickering Fire Services offers an educational outreach program
titled “FireSafe Pickering” (formerly “Get Real Pickering”). This program presently serves as a
community outreach and support initiative with the goal of ensuring residents:
FIR 06-23 November 27, 2023
Subject: FireSafe Pickering and the
Community Emergency Preparedness Grant Page 2
•are equipped with working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms within their dwelling. Working
smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms are a fire code requirement
•are educated on the risks of fire and what common causes of fire are within the City of
Pickering and what can be done to avoid these risks
•have developed and practiced a home escape plan with their family to ensure all occupants
of a dwelling know what to do in the event of a fire and are able to self-rescue
Through a door-to-door program executed by firefighters during times of availability, staff are
able to engage with the public in a meaningful and direct manner to ensure the above goals
are achieved.
In the event a resident is without a working smoke or carbon monoxide alarm, the homeowner
is informed of their requirement to maintain working life safety devices and instructed to
replace the device. The fire officer attending the residence has the discretion to provide a
smoke alarm device to the home owner to resolve the situation or to provide a supplemental
level of protection until the existing devices may be replaced as code requirements may
dictate.
These life safety devices may, at times, be provided by Pickering Fire Services to ensure the
resident is protected from the threat of fire or carbon monoxide. This ensures the protection of
residents and allows fire services to assist residents in overcoming any barriers that may
prevent a resident from obtaining life safety devices (financial, physical limitations, education,
etc.).
The allotment of life safety devices for distribution is presently funded through Fire Services’
operating budget or provided as part of distribution, grants, or partnerships.
Funding provided by the grant will:
•expand the program’s capability to provide working life safety devices to residents in need
or those facing barriers; and,
•expand the program’s operational capabilities by providing additional mobile devices for
staff delivering the program and oversight through program management
FIR 06-23 November 27, 2023
Subject: FireSafe Pickering and the
Community Emergency Preparedness Grant Page 3
Projected Budget Breakdown:
Item Cost/Unit Units Subtotal
First Alert - 10yr sealed lithium battery operated combo alarm -
Photoelectric - Purchased in quantities of 6 - Model PRC710A-6 $21.16 $300.00 $6,348.00
iPad - 9th Generation - Devices used to expand program delivery
utilizing ESRI based application. No licences required. 449.00 4.00 1,796.00
Program Status Monitors - Large Format Screens to monitor
program status. May serve as support devices for EOC in the event
of an EOC activation. 599.00 3.00 1,797.00
Total $9,941.00
Staff are requesting council authorization to apply for CPEG grant funding to support existing
program delivery needs.
Attachment:
1.FireSafe Pickering Postcard Handout.
Prepared By: Approved/Endorsed By:
Original Signed By:
Nigel Robinson Steve Boyd
Deputy Fire Chief Fire Chief
Original Signed By:
NR:jm
Recommended for the consideration
of Pickering City Council
Marisa Carpino, M.A.
Chief Administrative Officer
Original Signed By:
FireSafe Pickering
87% of structure fires
occurred in residential buildings
The cost of damages due to fires
totalled $15,500,286
Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home fires in Pickering
What you need to know about fires in Pickering from 2021 - 2022:
Attachment #1 to Report FIR 06-23
905.250.0420
pickering.ca/firesafe
Protect your family from fire
Stay in the kitchen while cooking and
watch what you heat
Install and maintain smoke alarms and
carbon monoxide alarms
Plan and practise your escape
TAKE
ACTION