MINUTES

1.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Community Safety Committee held on Wednesday, April 15, 2009, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

2.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room.

PRESENTATION

3.

Kirby Graeme, Community Relations Officer, Richmond Fire Rescue, regarding Habitat for Humanity.

With the aid of a video, Kirby Graeme, Community Relations Officer, Richmond Fire Rescue (RFR), spoke of RFR’s Habitat for Humanity trip to El Salvador and highlighted that eighteen RFR members participated and the group nearly built three complete homes.

LAW & COMMUNITY SAFETY DEPARTMENT

4.

2009 First Quarter Report - Fire-Rescue

(File Ref. No.:) (REDMS No. 2594583)

In reply to queries from Committee, Fire Chief John McGowan advised that (i) several factors affect the decrease in motor vehicle statistics, primarily due to a change in call dispatch protocols; (ii) call volumes are steady; and (iii) sprinkler systems significantly reduce costs associated to fire damage in multi-family/commercial units opposed to non-sprinklered single-family dwellings.

A brief discussion ensued regarding the Fire Chief’s statistics layout and Committee was pleased to see statistics in such format.

It was moved and seconded

That the report dated April 24, 2009 from the Fire Chief, entitled ‘2009 First Quarter Report - Fire-Rescue’ be received for information.

CARRIED

5.

Combined Events Dispatch Protocols

(File Ref. No.:) (REDMS No. 2597449)

Discussion ensued regarding the classification of incident calls and related protocol.

It was moved and seconded

That a letter under the Mayor’s signature be sent to E-Comm’s Board of Directors expressing support for the Greater Vancouver Fire Chiefs’ request to change E-Comm’s default policy of transferring motor vehicle incident calls only to BC Ambulance Service and add Richmond Fire Rescue to the incident call list.

CARRIED

6.

RCMP’s Monthly Activity Report for april 2009

(File Ref. No.:  09-5350-00/Vol 01) (REDMS No. 2604291)

Renny Nesset, OIC, Richmond RCMP, provided background information and noted that the report figures may appear high, however, high-low fluctuations are typical for monthly statistics.

In reply to a queries from Committee, OIC Nesset advised that residential break and enters are often concentrated in a particular area of the community, and the targeted area frequently changes depending on various factors.  He also mentioned that the Auxiliary Constable Program is all inclusive.

It was moved and seconded

That the RCMP report dated April 27, 2009 from the Officer in Charge, entitled ‘RCMP’s Monthly Activity Report for April 2009’ be received for information.

CARRIED

7.

FIRE Chief Briefing

(Oral Report) 

Items for discussion:

(i)

Fire Hall Construction Updates – No. 2 and 6 Halls

Fire Chief McGowan advised that the lot adjacent to Fire Hall No. 2’s current location has been acquired.  The new Hall is currently being designed and it is anticipated that construction begin in Fall 2009.

Fire Hall No. 6 is expected to be completed by mid-June 2009, however the tower at the rear of the site will be completed at a later date.  An opening ceremony is anticipated to take place in Fall 2009.

(ii)

Career Introduction to Enhance Physical Education

Chief McGowan commented on a voluntary pilot program that invites Grade 11 and 12 students enrolled in Physical Education to experience fire service.  Students are given a full spectrum of Richmond Fire Rescue’s role and functions within the community.

(iii)

Gas Leak

Chief McGowan spoke of a recent gas leak at 8480 Granville Avenue caused by a parkade overhead door continuously hitting a gas line, and eventually rupturing it.  He noted that 135 residents were evacuated and nobody was harmed. 

8.

RCMP/OIC Briefing

(Oral Report) 

Item for discussion:

Introduction of Corporal Jennifer Pound – New Media Liaison Officer

OIC Nesset introduced Corporal Jennifer Pound as the detachment’s new Media Liaison Officer and provided background information.

9.

OTHER ITEMS

None.

10.

MANAGER’S REPORT

None.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:12 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 Tuesday, May 12, 2009.

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Councillor Derek Dang

Chair

Hanieh Floujeh

Committee Clerk