MINUTES

1.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Community Safety Committee held on Tuesday, September 9, 2008, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

2.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room.

INTRODUCTION

3.

Phyllis L. Carlyle, General Manager, Law & Community Safety, introduced Deputy Fire Chief John McGowan and provided some background information.

Deputy Chief McGowan expressed that he was pleased to be a member of Richmond Fire Rescue (RFR) and advised that his primary responsibilities will focus on technologies such as E-Comm dispatch systems.

LAW & COMMUNITY SAFETY DEPARTMENT

4.

Cost Recovery for Inspection Program

(Report:  September 25, 2008, File No.:  09-5160-01) (REDMS No. 2507430)

Kim Howell, Deputy Chief – Administration (RFR), stated that the Fire Protection and Life Safety Bylaw No. 8306 addressed various avenues for cost recovery for fire services, including inspections.  It is anticipated that the Cost Recovery for Inspection Program will offset approximately $9,000 of fees.

In reply to a query, Deputy Chief Howell advised that the fees are comparable with those of other municipalities.

It was moved and seconded

That the “Cost Recovery for Inspection Program” report (dated September 25, 2008) from the Acting Fire Chief be received for information.

CARRIED

5.

Upgrades to Non-Sprinklered Buildings

(Report:  October 30, 2008, File No.:  09-5170-01) (REDMS No. 2495449)

Deputy Chief Howell advised that Richmond Fire Rescue’s Fire Prevention Division has been very successful in attaining voluntary compliance from building owners to install or upgrade sprinkler systems.

In reply to a query, Acting Fire Chief Ron Beaman noted that owners may have lower insurance premiums due to sprinkler installations or upgrades.

It was moved and seconded

That the “Upgrades to Non-Sprinklered Buildings” report (dated October 30, 2008) from the Acting Fire Chief be received for information.

CARRIED

6.

FIRE Chief Briefing

(Oral Report) 

(1)

Firefighter Recruitment Update

Acting Fire Chief Ron Beaman advised that Richmond Fire Rescue (RFR) has created an aggressive plan to recruit firefighters due to the significant number of retirements that have taken place and are anticipated in the future.  Chief Beaman distributed a promotional recruitment poster (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office) and stated that RFR has been attending various functions, such as career fairs, to engage potential new members.

In reply to a query, Maria Salzl, Manager, Program Administration (RFR), spoke of different advertising mediums, such as radio and television, and noted that advertisements will also be placed in other language newspapers.

(2)

Live Fire Training

Chief Beaman highlighted that 34 members of RFR participated in a live fire training exercise in Langley.  He noted that the training provides the opportunity for members to work with other Fire Departments, and learn new techniques.

In reply to a query, Chief Beaman advised that live fire training will continue in 2009 and it is conducted in Langley due to Richmond’s burning restrictions.

(3)

Fire Commissioner’s Office Diversity Training

Chief Beaman spoke of the Fire Commissioner’s Office Diversity training program and highlighted that various other Fire Departments have been seeking information from RFR as Richmond is recognized a leader in diversity training.

7.

RCMP/OIC Briefing

(Oral Report) 

Inspector Rendall Nesset, OIC, Richmond RCMP, indicated that there were no significant issues on Halloween.  Acting Fire Chief Beaman also reported that Richmond Fire Rescue did not respond to any negative activity on Halloween, however, he spoke of a firework related incident a week prior to Halloween.

In response to a query, Insp. Nesset advised that Corporal Bill Lumsdon will be situated in the Hamilton area and his contact information will be provided to Council.

8.

OTHER ITEMS

None.

9.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(a)

Emergency Operation Centre

Deborah Procter, Manager, Emergency Programs, advised that a new Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) has been designed and implemented at City Hall.  She noted that the new site will act as the primary EOC and the previous one will remain as backup in order to give the City greater capacity to handle emergencies.

In reply to queries, Ms. Procter advised that both sites have appropriate equipment to respond, and emergency assistance will be available in various languages.

(b)

Licence Inspectors and Bylaw Officers Association Conference

Wayne Mercer, Manager, Community Bylaws, highlighted that the City hosted the 39^th Annual Licence Inspectors and Bylaw Officers Association (LIBOA) Conference.  Mr. Mercer noted that it was a very successful conference, with fifteen separate seminars presented by expert speakers covering various topics from animal control and cruelty to grease management.  Mr. Mercer also thanked his staff for their commitment and hard work.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:38 p.m.).

CARRIED

Certified a true and correct copy of the Minutes of the meeting of the Community Safety Committee of the Council of the City of Richmond held on Wednesday, November 12, 2008.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Cynthia Chen

Vice-Chair

Hanieh Floujeh

Committee Clerk