2014 Annual ReportOffice of the Fire Marshal

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OFM ANNUAL REPORT 2014 Table of Contents 

FireMarshal’sMessage..........................................................................................................................................................................2 MandateoftheFireMarshal................................................................................................................................................................3 Staff.................................................................................................................................................................................................................4 Partnerships................................................................................................................................................................................................4 CurrentInitiatives....................................................................................................................................................................................5 SouthSlaveRegion...................................................................................................................................................................................8 DehChoRegion..........................................................................................................................................................................................9 SahtuRegion............................................................................................................................................................................................10 InuvikRegion...........................................................................................................................................................................................11 NorthSlaveRegion................................................................................................................................................................................12 FireDepartmentTerritorialStatistics..........................................................................................................................................13 GeneralObservations...........................................................................................................................................................................13 2014NWTStatisticsvs.National...................................................................................................................................................14 2010‐2014ComparativeSummary.............................................................................................................................................15 FireLossbyActorOmission............................................................................................................................................................16 NWTFiresover$100,000damage................................................................................................................................................17 NWTTrainingInitiatives....................................................................................................................................................................18 NWTPlanReview..................................................................................................................................................................................19 NWTFireServiceMeritAwards.....................................................................................................................................................19 NWTLengthofServiceAwards.......................................................................................................................................................20 FireServicesExemplaryServiceMedal(FederalAward)...................................................................................................20 OfficeoftheFireMarshal...................................................................................................................................................................21    

 

     

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Mandate of the Fire Marshal ThemandateoftheFireMarshal isprovidedintheNorthwestTerritoriesFirePreventionAct(Act)andincludes many responsibilities that require extensive training, and an effective network to gatherinformation.FiveregionalAssistantFireMarshalsfulfilltheseobligationsunderthedirectionoftheFireMarshal.CommunityFireChiefs,asLocalAssistantstotheFireMarshal,arealsosubjecttodirectionfromtheFireMarshalinenforcingtheprovisionsoftheFirePreventionAct. ResponsibilitiesoftheFireMarshalinclude:

Keeparecordoffiresreported;o Disseminate information and advice about fire prevention and fire protection by means of

publicmeetings,pressarticles,exhibitions,radio,televisionorotherpublicitycampaigns Reviewplansfortheconstruction,alteration,andrepairofstructuresforcompliancewithadoptedcodes

andstandards,andwithaviewtodeterminingthatproperprecautionsaretakenagainstfireandthespreadoffire;

Conductfirepreventioninspectionsfromtimetotimetodetermineifprecautionsagainstfireandthespreadoffireareadequateandsatisfactorilymaintained;

Conductfireinvestigationstodeterminethecause,origin,andcircumstancesoffires; Contribute to the development of community fire departments through identification of training

programsandcoursesandtheprovisionofguidancetomeetindustrystandards; SubmitanannualreporttotheMinistersettingoutcausesandoriginsoffires,informationonfatalitiesor

injuries inflictedby fire, investigationsandanynecessary inquiriesof fires,prosecutions forarsonorattemptedarson,asummaryofOFMadministrationof firepreventionandcommunityfireprotectionactivity,togetherwithanyotherinformationthattheMinistermayrequest;

AdviseandmakerecommendationstotheMinisterwithrespectto:o Theestablishmentoffiredepartments,thenecessaryorganizationandequipmentoffire

departmentsandtheestablishmentoftrainingprogramsforfirefighterso Theprovisionofadequatewatersupplyforfire‐fightingpurposeso Theinstallationandmaintenanceoffire‐alarmsystemsandfireextinguishingequipment;o Thestorage,use,saleordisposalofcombustibles,explosivesorotherflammablematerialo Theconstructionandmaintenanceoffire‐escapesandotherexitfacilitiesintheeventof

fireorthealarmoffireo The types and adequacy of fire‐alarms in communities and, in or on any building or

property

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Staff  In2014,theOFMconsistedofeightstaffmemberswhofilledthefollowingpositions:

2009 FireMarshal2010 SeniorPlanReviewOfficer2011 SeniorPolicyAdvisor2012 AssistantFireMarshal,SahtuRegion2013 AssistantFireMarshal,InuvikRegion2014 AssistantFireMarshal,NorthSlaveRegion2015 AssistantFireMarshal,DehChoRegion2016 AssistantFireMarshal,SouthSlaveRegion

ASeniorPolicyAdvisorwasassignedtoleadimplementationoftheCommunityFireProtectionPlan.

Partnerships TheOFMworkswithavarietyoforganizationsandgroupsonissuesassociatedwithfiresafety.Theyareasfollows:

NWTAssociationofCommunities(NWTAC) LocalGovernmentAdministratorsoftheNWT(LGANT) NorthwestTerritoriesFireChief’sAssociation(NWTFCA) CouncilofCanadianFireMarshalandFireCommissioners(CCFMFC) CanadianFireSafetyAdvisoryCouncil(CFSAC) NationalResearchCouncil(NRC) Provincial/TerritorialPolicyAdvisoryCommitteeonCodes(PTPACC)

 

 

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Current Initiatives  

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY (OH&S) REGULATIONS  

TheSafetyActsetsoutobligationsofworkersandemployers,andOHSRegulationsundertheActprovidedetailonhowtocomplywiththeSafetyActandhowtoensuresafeandhealthyworksites.In2014,theWorkers’SafetyandCompensationCommission(WSCC)madeclear,theirintentionstobringinto force, revised OH&S Regulations that represent a significant change over the current regulatoryframework. The OFM anticipates the new OHS Regulations will require adjustments to current OFMregulatoryactivitiesandcommunityfiresafetyservicesandprogramming. AplanisnecessarytomakesurethecommunitiesarecapableofensuringadherencetothenewOHSRegulationsandMunicipalandCommunityAffairs(MACA)isabletoprovideeffectiveadvicetocommunities.ItisanticipatedthenewOHSRegulationswillinfluence:

TheconductofAssistantFireMarshalsinperforminginvestigationsandinspections; Thedeliveryofcommunityfireprotectionservicesbypaidstaffandvolunteers;and Allaspectsoftrainingrelatedtothefireservice

OfparticularinteresttoMACAarethefollowing: Facilitating the use of Codes of Practice (Guidelines, Standards) and an on‐going role for

employers,workers,andotherstakeholdersintheirdevelopment; Having a greater role for preventivemeasures (e.g., hazard assessments, programs, plans,

etc.); UpdatingrequirementsforPersonalProtectiveEquipment; AddressingtheuniqueoccupationalhealthissuesforworkersintheNorth(e.g.,coldweather

work,cessationofroutineworkbelow‐45⁰C,riskoffrostbite,alteredpropertiesofmaterials,permafrost);and

Establishingadditionalprotectionforfirefighters.TheOFMisworkingonanassessmentofhowthevariouscomponentsoftheregulationswillaffectMACAandthecommunities,startingwithPart32whichisspecifictothefireservice.

FIRE INCIDENT TRACKING SYSTEM  

InordertoobtaincriticalstatisticaldataforcommunityfireoccurrencesandOFMprogramingactivity,theOFM has a records management system in place called Fire Department Manager (FDM). The dataobtainedthroughtheFDMprogramassiststheOFMinproducingadetailedannualreportthat includestheparticularsoffire,fatalities,orinjuriesbyfire,investigationsandinquiriesintofires,andasummaryoftheadministration,firepreventionandfireprotectionactivity.ThisisaprogramcentraltoestablishingtheOFM’sstrategicdirectionandkeypriorities,whichservesintheinterestofprotectingresidentsfromthethreatoffire.

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In 2014, MACA updated the FDM program. The update involved new software that allowed for datacollectionthatismuchmorerepresentativeoftheOFM’scurrentregulatoryenvironment.Going forward, the programwill receive periodic evaluations to ensure it continues to meet the OFMoperationalneeds. 

VOLUNTEER FIRE FIGHTER RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION TOOL 

In2014,theOFMimplementedtheVolunteerFireFighterRecruitmentandRetentionTooltosimplifyandguidecommunityeffortstorecruitandretainvolunteersfordeliveringemergencyservicestoresidents.Available onMACA’swebsite, the resourceprovides volunteers, FireChiefs, senior administrative staff,and community governments with an overview of best practices to consider in the recruitment andretention of volunteer fire fighters. The tool was developed to assist individuals responsible for therecruitmentandretentionofvolunteerfireservicepersonnel.ThestakeholderswhodevelopedthetoolhavedonebackgroundresearchandidentifiedeffectivestrategiesandpracticesforvolunteerrecruitmentandretentioneffortsintheNWT.Theendresultisacomprehensive,flexibleandconvenientcollectionofpracticesandtools.

FIRE PREVENTION ACT REVIEW 

The Fire Prevention Act relates to the investigation and reporting of fires, regulates fire hazards, andallowsfortheadoptionofstandardsforthepreventionandextinguishmentoffires.TheActhasnotbeenreviewedthoroughlysinceitspassinginthemid‐1970s.In2013,atechnicalworkinggroupconductedareview of the Act which flagged several issues to help guide MACA’s research and assist with thedevelopmentofthelegislativeproposal.In2013,anewFireMarshalwashiredwhichpromptedadetailedanalysisoftheOFM’sregulatoryaffairs.Theresultsofthisworkdemonstratedadditionalareaswhichrequireseriousconsiderationinarevisionto the Act. In 2014, MACA completed an examination of options through a review of relevant legalopinions,policyresearchandanalysis,includingidentifyinggaps,completinginter‐jurisdictionalresearch,anddeterminingadditionalareasforimprovement.The next steps involve incorporating feedback and analysis received to date and engaging industrystakeholders and the public about proposed amendments to the Act. The Department anticipatessubmittingalegislativeproposalin2016.

COMMUNITY FIRE PROTECTION PLAN 

MACA continues toworkwith key partners to implement amulti‐year plan to support and strengthencommunity fire protection in the NWT. In January 2013, MACA worked with the NWT Fire Chiefs’Association;theLGANT;andtheNWTACtoidentifypriorityinitiativestheOFMwillleadincollaborationwithpartners. Updatedannually, theplanservesasameans togainconsensusonpriorityactionsandmaximize value from available OFM resources. In 2014, the OFM completed several fire preventioninitiatives and began groundwork on published guidelines for the OFM’s plan review function; acommunity government engagement presentation; and a generic template for standard operatingproceduresforcommunityfireservices.Completionofthisworkisexpectedinearly2016.

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FIRE PREVENTION ACTIVITIES 

Everyyear, theOFMlookstoFirePreventionWeek(FPW)toeducateresidentsandpromotefiresafetyawarenessinitiativesinlinewiththenationaltheme.Thisyear’sFPWtookplaceOctober4‐10,2014.Thethemewas“HeartheBeepWhereYouSleep”andfocusedonprovidingresidentstheknowledgenecessaryforthesafeinstallationandmaintenanceofsmokealarms.TheOFMtargetsthreemainaudiencesduringFPW:

GeneralPublico Providing information toNWT residents that helps them understand the importance of

beingpreparedforthedangersoffire.

Schoolso InvolvementandsupportfromschoolsisessentialforsuccessfuluseanddistributionofFPW

materials.

CommunityFireDepartmentso Providing messaging about the importance of educating the public on fire safety, and

providingcommunityfiredepartmentswithtoolstohelpthemengagethepublicontheseissues.

TheOFMhassourcedanumberofprintedmaterialsfordistributiontolocalfiredepartments,schools,andresidentsincluding:

A2014FPWFireDepartmentGuideforlocalfiredepartmentstopromotefirepreventionandfiresafetyawarenesswithintheircommunities;

AFireSafetyStartsWithYou(FSSWY)schoolactivitybookletwithpuzzles,games,quizzes,andgeneralfiresafetyinformation;

– Developedannuallyincollaborationwithpublicfireandlifesafetyeducatorsinthewesternprovincesandterritories.

Aschoolnewsletterandfiresafetytipsposter; AteacherlessonplanwhichprovidessuggestedactivitiesonhowtomakeeffectiveuseofFSSWY

activitybooklets;and AfamilyletterandhomefiresafetyinspectionchecklistencouragingparentstoreviewtheFSSWY

activitybookletswiththeirchildrenandinspecttheirhomeforfiresafety.In 2014, MACA initiated measures through a variety of activities aimed at preventing the dangersassociatedwithcarbonmonoxidepoisoningandeducatingresidentsabouttherisks.Thecampaign’saimistoworkwithcommunitygovernments,firedepartmentsandotherpartnerstoraisepublicawarenessofthedangersofcarbonmonoxideandeducateNWTresidentsonpropermaintenanceofheatingappliancesand to prompt home owners to install carbon monoxide detectors. Communication tools includednewspaperadvertisements,socialmedia,newwebsitecontent,brochures,doorknockers,andposters.

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South Slave Region LocatedwithintheSouthSlaveregionarethecommunitiesofFortSmith,FortResolution,Enterprise,HayRiver, Fort Providence, Kátł’odeeche First Nation, Kakisa, as well as the former settlements of FortRelianceandPinePoint.StatisticsarealsotrackedforRocherRiver‐Talston,andSouthSlaveHinterland.Atotalof14fireswerereportedintheSouthSlaveregionin2014.

Fires

Reported

Rescu

e

FalseAlarm

s

Fire

Invest

igations

Dangero

usGoods

Fire

Inspections

Train

ingEv

ents

Enterprise 0 0 0 0 0 0 20FortResolution 3 0 0 2 0 4 1FortSmith 3 0 0 2 0 33 25HayRiver 3 0 0 0 0 48 40FortProvidence 4 0 0 0 0 5 20Kátł’odeecheFirstNation 0 0 0 0 0 1 0Kakisa 0 0 0 0 0 1 0Hinterland 1 0 0 0 0 0 0TOTAL 14 0 0 4 0 92 106

List any fires that caused over $100,000 in damage 

April7 HayRiver Suspicious $200,000April19 FortResolution Arson $600,000August15 FortResolution MechanicalFailure $300,000October7 FortSmith ElectricalShortCircuit $150,000October25 FortSmith ElectricalFailure $300,000December2 FortResolution ElectricalShortCircuit $300,000December12 FortSmith (12PtarmiganSt) $200,000September FortProvidence (cookingfire) $100,000June Hinterland (carhauler) $100,000

Fire Loss by Act or Omission Stats 

 

 

 

 

  

HumanFailing 1Mechanical/ElectricalFailure 2ChildFirePlay 2Arson/SetFire 3ConstructionDeficiency 2MisuseofEquipment 0Impairment(AlcoholorDrugs) 1CombustibleMaterialTooClosetoHeatSource 1PartFailure 5

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Deh Cho Region   LocatedintheDehChoregionarethecommunitiesofFortLiard,FortSimpson,JeanMarieRiver,NahanniButte,TroutLake,andWrigley.TheDehChohad11reportedfiresin2014.

FiresReported

Rescu

e

FalseAlarm

s

Fire

Invest

igations

Dangero

usGoods

Fire

Inspections

Train

ing

Events

FortLiard 0 0 2 0 0 0 0FortSimpson 11 0 15 7 0 9 1JeanMarieRiver 0 0 0 0 0 1 1NahanniButte 0 0 0 0 0 0 2TroutLake 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Wrigley 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Hinterland 0 0 0 0 0 0 0TOTAL 11 0 17 7 0 10 4

List any fires that caused over $100,000 in damage 

February12 FortSimpson Unknown $100,000April27 FortSimpson Arson $100,000May24 FortSimpson Suspicious $200,000August24 FortSimpson SuspectedImpairment $300,000October20 FortSimpson Arson $100,000

Fire Loss by Act or Omission Stats 

         

   

IgnoranceofHazard 1Smoker’sMaterial HumanFailing Mechanical/ElectricalFailure 1ChildFirePlay Arson/SetFire 7Impairment(AlcoholorDrugs) 2VehicleAccident CombustibleMaterialTooClosetoHeatSource PartFailure InadequateControl

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Sahtu Region 

LocatedwithintheSahtuRegionarethecommunitiesofColvilleLake,Délįnę,FortGoodHope,NormanWells,andTulita.AtotalofsixfireswerereportedintheSahturegionin2014.

FiresReported

Rescu

e

FalseAlarm

s

Fire

Invest

igations

Dangero

usGoods

Fire

Inspections

Train

ing

Events

ColvilleLake 1 0 0 0 0 5 0Délįnę 2 0 0 0 0 5 1FortGoodHope 1 0 0 1 0 4 0NormanWells 0 0 0 0 0 8 0Tulita 1 0 6 1 0 5 1Hinterland 0 0 0 0 0 0 0TOTAL 5 0 6 2 0 27 2

List any fires that caused over $100,000 in damage 

September7 Tulita IgnoranceofHazard $150,000

Fire Loss by Act or Omission Stats 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Smoker’sMaterial HumanFailing 2Mechanical/ElectricalFailure Arson/SetFire 2MisuseofEquipment Impairment(AlcoholorDrugs) 2Distracted/Preoccupied VehicleAccident CombustibleMaterialTooClosetoHeatSource PartFailure InadequateControl

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Inuvik Region Located in the Inuvik region are the communities of Aklavik, Fort McPherson, Inuvik, Paulatuk, SachsHarbour, Tsiigehtchic, Tuktoyaktuk, andUlukhaktok. A total of twentynine fireswere reported in theInuvikregionin2014.

FiresReported

Rescu

e

FalseAlarm

s

Fire

Invest

igations

Dangero

usGoods

Fire

Inspections

Train

ing

Events

Aklavik 1 0 0 0 0 0 0FortMcPherson 0 0 0 0 0 4 1Inuvik 22 0 72 16 3 26 0Paulatuk 1 0 0 1 0 0 0SachsHarbour 0 0 0 0 0 0 1Tsiigehtchic 1 0 0 1 0 0 0Tuktoyaktuk 3 0 0 1 0 0 1Ulukhaktok 1 0 0 0 0 0 1Hinterland 0 0 0 0 0 0 0TOTAL 29 0 73 19 3 30 4

List any fires that caused over $100,000 in damage 

January21 Aklavik ElectricalShortCircuit $200,000April25 Tuktoyaktuk SmokersMaterial $400,000May24 Inuvik Suspicious $1,500,000September23 Inuvik Arson $500,000September23 Inuvik Arson $500,000November26 Tuktoyaktuk Suspicious $500,000 

Fire Loss by Act or Omission Stats 

 

 

      

IgnoranceofHazard 3Smoker’sMaterial 2HumanFailing 4Mechanical/ElectricalFailure 1ChildFirePlay Arson/SetFire 6ConstructionDeficiency 1MisuseofEquipment Impairment(AlcoholorDrugs) 1Suspicious 2Unknown 1

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North Slave Region  

ApproximatelyhalfthepopulationoftheNWTresidesintheNorthSlaveregion,whichincludesthecityofYellowknife and the communitiesofDettah,Behchokö, Gamètì, ŁutselK'e,Wekweètì, andWhatì. ThreeoperatingdiamondminesarealsolocatedintheNorthSlaveregion.Atotalof217fireswerereportedintheNorthSlaveregionin2014.

FiresReported

Rescu

e

FalseAlarm

s

Fire

Invest

igations

Dangero

usGoods

Fire

Inspections

Train

ingEv

ents

Dettah 0 0 0 0 0 1 0Behchokö 3 0 0 2 0 4 1Gamètì 0 0 0 0 0 1 0ŁutselK'e 0 0 0 0 0 2 0N’Dilo 0 0 0 0 0 3 0Wekweètì 0 0 0 0 0 4 1Whatì 1 0 0 1 0 1 0Yellowknife 213 40 191 9 32 235 4Hinterland 0 0 0 0 0 0 0TOTAL 217 40 191 12 32 251 6

List any fires that caused over $100,000 in damage 

May14 Yellowknife Smokersmaterial $700,000May17 Behchokö Arson $200,000September21 Yellowknife Suspicious $110,000October12 Behchokö Arson $1,000,000November8 Behchokö Unknown $120,000 

Fire Loss by Act or Omission Stats 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IgnoranceofHazard 2Smoker’sMaterial 1HumanFailing Mechanical/ElectricalFailure ChildFirePlay Arson/SetFire 4Unknown 1Suspicious 1Impairment(AlcoholorDrugs) Distracted/Preoccupied VehicleAccident

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Fire Department Territorial Statistics 

ThefollowingisasummaryofstatisticsforthefiveregionsoftheNWTin2014.

FiresReported

Rescu

e

FalseAlarm

s

Fire

Invest

igations

Dangero

usGoods

Fire

Inspections

Train

ing

Events

SouthSlave 14 0 0 4 0 92 106DehCho 11 0 17 7 0 10 4Sahtu 5 0 6 2 0 27 2BeaufortDelta 29 0 73 19 3 30 4NorthSlave 217 40 191 12 32 251 4TOTAL 276 40 286 44 35 410 120

General Observations 

TherewereasubstantialnumberofArsonand/orsuspiciousfireshavinganenormousfinancialimpact on the NWT during 2014. This signals a real necessity for enhanced fire preventionmeasures,particularlyfocusedonyouth.The23firesover$100,000listedpreviouslyasarsonorsuspicious amounted to a dollar loss of over $4,244,000. That works out to an average of$193,000 per fire and the loss per population is just less than $93.00. Take into account thatsomefiresdonotgetreported,andsomefiresdonotgetadollarlossreportedwhichindicatesthesenumbersarelikelyhigherthanpresented.

TheincreaseinArsonand/orsuspiciousfiresresultedinanincreaseinfireinvestigationsfortheOFM.

ThepercapitafrequencyoffiresintheNWTismorethantriplethenationalaverage. Therewere3firerelatedfatalitiesintheNWTduring2014. TheOFMdidnotparticipateinanyprosecutionsforarsonorattemptedarsonin2014,despitean

increase inarson related activities from thepreviousyear. This can eitherbeattributed toanabsenceofprosecutionsbytheRCMPorsuccessfulprosecutionsofindividualsbytheRCMPnotrequiringOFMinvolvementinthejudicialprocess.

26fireeventsoccurredin2014whichresultedinconsiderabledollarlosses.Thetotaldollarlossreported in 2014 was significantly lower than the previous year, but higher than the recentaverage. Thismaybeinpartduetotheincreaseinmajordollarlossfireevents,and/ortothemorecompleteinformationonfiresreportedtotheOFM.

The increase in fire Inspection activity can be attributed to increased record keeping andreportingbytheregions.

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2014 NWT Statistics vs. National  Thefollowingisasummaryofpopulation,fireandcoststatisticsforthefiveregionsoftheNWTin2014.

South

Slave

Dehch

o

Sahtu

Beaufor

tDelta

North

Slave

North

west

Territor

ies

5‐Year

Avera

ge

National*

Population 7,951 2,697 2,261 6,986 23,503 43,537 43,530 35,158,300FiresReported 14 11 5 29 217 276 249 60,109Dollarloss(000) $2,300 $802 $150 $3,750 $2,738 $9,740 $1,251 $1,215,414$$lossperCapita $290 $298 $67 $537 $117 $224 $228 $40.82Deaths 1 0 0 2 0 3 1 234Deathsper100,000 12.57 0.00 0.00 42.94 0.00 6.89 2.30 1.27Injuries 2 1 0 0 0 3 2.0 3048Injuriesper100,000

25.15 37.08 0 0 0 6.89 4.60 7.43*Nationalaveragesrepresentfiguresfrom2007,whichisthemostrecentyearcomprehensiveinformationisavailableforCanadaonfirestatistics.

 

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2010 ‐ 2014 Comparative Summary  

o Thenumberoffiresreportedin2014issimilarto2013.Thereisahighpercapitadollarlossandalargenumberofhighlossfiresinallregions,buttheSahtu.Anotherconcernisthenumberofhighlossfiresthataresuspiciousordeterminedtobeintentionallyset.

o Falsealarmincidentsremainaconcernfortheimpactonthefiredepartmentresources.Therearemorefalsealarmsthanfiresandthatmayimpacttheabilitytorespondifthereare multiple alarms, or the urgency a fire department responds with because ofcomplacencyduetotheongoingfalsealarms.

o Inspections include statistics for Yellowknife, Hay River and Inuvik which each haveelectedtoperformsomeoralloftheirlocalinspections.

o TheNWTexperienced3firerelatedfatalitiesin2014.Thedeathsoccurredat3differentfires.

 

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Fires 242 187 290 278 276Falsealarms 416 202 240 283 286Investigations 16 5 9 33 44Inspections 517 235 489 209 410PlanReviews 162 188 159 101 88  

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Fire Loss by Act or Omission  

Thefollowingisasummaryofthe57reportedfirelossesthatoccurredthroughactsoromissionsintheNWTin2014.Deliberatelysetfires(arsonandjuvenile/childfireplay)arethehighestreportedcauseforfiresofthisnature.Inresponse,theOFMcontinuestodeliverYouthFireSettersInterventionTrainingincommunities across the territory. Other concerning trends are the high rate of fires categorized asIgnoranceofHazard,meaningthepersondidnotknoworunderstandthedangertheywerecreatingwiththeactivitycausingthefire,aswellasdistracted/preoccupiedoccurrences.Theseincludestovetopfireswhere the occupant was distracted away from the stove. Additional education is required for this toreversethetrends.Ofthe276firesreportedin2014,causesweredeterminedforapproximately20%.Thisindicatesthereisaneed toensure reporting is thoroughand immediate, as thiswouldhelp investigators indeterminingcause. In response to the findings, MACA continues to work with fire departments and communitygovernments to educate members on the necessity of timely, accurate reporting, and to find ways toensure its own internal alerting mechanisms are effective in getting investigators on the scene in anappropriatetimeframe.

 ActorOmission #offiresIgnoranceofHazard 6Smoker’sMaterial 2HumanFailing 7Mechanical/ElectricalFailure 4ChildFirePlay 2Arson/SetFire 18ConstructionDeficiency 3MisuseofEquipment 0Impairment(AlcoholorDrugs) 6Suspicious 2CombustibleMaterialTooClosetoHeatSource 1PartFailure 5CannotbeDetermined 1 

 

  

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NWT Fires over $100,000 damage  

In2014,26fireswerereportedthathadanestimateddollarlossofgreaterthan$100,000.Thefollowingisabriefsummaryofdate,location,cause,anddollarloss.Date Location Cause DollarLoss01/21/2014 Aklavik ElectricalFailure $200,00002/12/2014  FortSimpson Undetermined $100,00004/07/2014  HayRiver Suspicious $200,00004/19/2014  FortResolution Arson $600,00004/25/2014  Tuktoyaktuk Smoker’sMaterial $400,00004/27/2014  FortSimpson Arson $100,00005/14/2014  Yellowknife Smoker’sMaterial $700,00005/17/2014  Behchokö Arson $1,500,00005/24/2014  FortSimpson Suspicious $200,000June 2014  HinterlandSouthSlave Unknown $100,00008/15/2014  FortResolution MechanicalFailure $300,00008/24/2014  FortSimpson SuspectedImpairment $700,00009/07/2014  Tulita IgnoranceofHazard $150,00009/21/2014  Yellowknife Suspicious $110,000Sept 2014  FortProvidence IgnoranceorHazard $100,00009/23/2014  Inuvik Arson $500,00009/28/2014  Inuvik Arson $500,00010/07/2014  FortSmith ElectricalFailure $150,00010/12/2014  Behchokö Arson $1,000,00010/20/2014  FortSimpson Arson $100,00010/25/2014  FortSmith ElectricalFailure $300,00011/08/2014  Behchokö Undetermined $120,00011/26/2014  Tuktoyaktuk Suspicious $500,00012/02/2014  FortResolution ElectricalFailure $300,00012/12/2014  FortSmith HumanFailing $200,000

 

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NWT Training Initiatives  

OnApril1,2013,theSchoolofCommunityGovernmentsignedaneightyeartrainingagreementwiththeCollegeof theRockies todeliveraccreditedandnon‐accreditedFireTraining in theNWT.ThiscontractbringsanewmethodofdeliverytotheNWTincludingcertifiedtrainingtothosedepartmentsthatwanttopursueprofessionalaccreditationandnon‐certifiedpracticaltrainingtovolunteerfiredepartmentsinthesmallercommunities.In2014,fivestudentsfinishedtheNFPA1001ProfessionalFirefighterStandard.

1001 Certified Training 

HayRiver 15students‐5chapterscompletedInuvik 27Students5chapterscompleted

23Students9chapterscompleted15Students13chapterscompleted

FortSimpson 8Students–5chapterscompletedYellowknife 7Events–variouschapters–38studentsFortResolution 9students–7chapterscompletedBehchokö 8students–7chapterscompletedNFPA1001‐OnlineFF1 17Students–3communitiesrepresentedNFPA1001‐OnlineFF2 17Students–3communitiesrepresented

Non‐Certified Introductory Training 

JeanMarieRiver 5students–4chapterscompletedWekweètì 7students–4chapterscompletedTulita 9students–4chapterscompletedDélįnę 9students–5chapterscompleted

Other Training 

FireSceneandEvidencePreservation 22Students–15communitiesrepresentedHazardousMaterialsAwareness 8StudentsHowtobeaFireChief 23Students–15communitiesrepresentedNFPA1021FireOfficerLevel1 9studentsNFPA1033FireInvestigator 8students–4communitiesrepresentedNFPA1041‐FireInstructorLevel1 8Students–2communitiesrepresented Totalfor2014–26trainingevents,290students 

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NWT Plan Review 

TheNWT plan review plays a vital role in the Government of theNorthwest Territories’ obligation toprotectresidentsfromthethreatoffireandspreadoffirebyensuringathoroughreviewofarchitecturaldesignandengineeringplansforconstructionprojectsintheNWT.TheOFMisresponsibleforreviewingplans of all construction excluding single family dwellings and ancillary structures for single familydwellings.WiththeexceptionofYellowknife,thereisnoregulatoryauthorityintheNWTtoensureabuildingissafefor public occupancy in relation to adopted codes and standards, beyond the fire safety requirementsidentified by theFirePreventionAct. Plans and specifications are reviewed by theOFM to determinewhether they meet the fire safety requirements adopted by the Fire Prevention Regulations, anddevelopersareresponsibletoensureallstatutoryrequirementsaremetandconstructioniscompletedinamannerconsistentwiththeOFMplanreviewassessment.TheOFMalsoparticipatesasamemberoftheCanadianCommissiononBuildingandFireCodes,andtheProvincial/Territorial Policy Advisory Committee on Codes. These committees coordinate thedevelopment and revision of the codes adopted through the Fire Prevention Act that govern allconstructionandrenovationintheNWT.The plan review activity involves a wide variety of construction projects including multi‐residential,commercial, resource development, fuel storage and dispensing,mining, oil and gas,water supply, etc.Planreviewisconductedonafeeforservicebasis.In 2014, the OFM reviewed 116 plans for construction of new buildings and/or alterations of existingbuildings.

NWT Fire Service Merit Awards Community firefighters and fire departments play a critical role in safeguarding residents andcommunitiesoftheNWT. FirefightersarereliedupontoprovideanessentialservicethatprotectsthelivesandpropertyofallNWTresidents.MACAacknowledgesthevitalcontributionsmadebyfirefightersandfiredepartmentsthroughtheFireServiceMeritAwardsProgram(FSMA).All community fire departments, volunteer and paid fire fighters in the NWT are eligible to receive aFSMA.NomineesareconsideredforawardsbasedontheircontributiontotheNWTfireserviceand/orcommunityfireprotection.Thiscontributionmayinclude,butisnotlimitedto:

Anoutstandingachievementinfireprotection; Aninnovativeideaorsolutiontoafirerelatedissue; Ahighdegreeofpersonalcommitment; Ademonstratedimprovementoverthepastyear(includingtrainingachievements); Theimpactofachievementsonthecommunityand/ortheterritory.

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Community fire service awards are presented to recognize outstanding efforts to theNWT fire servicemadebyacommunity. Only thosecommunities thathaveshownamarkedenhancementofemergencyservicetothecommunity,measuredagainstaformalassessmentbytheOFM,willbeconsideredinagivenyear.Aselectioncommitteechoosesawardrecipientsfromamongallnominationsreceivedbythepublic.FSMAmaybepresentedtorecipientsatapublicawardsceremonytobeheldeachyeartocoincidewithFPW(theweekcontainingOctober9thofeachyear).Awardsarepresentedregionally.In2014,thefollowingnominee’sreceivedaFSMA:

ClarenceNaskin,Wekweètì FireDepartment(IndividualAward) VinceMcKay,HayRiverFireDepartment(IndividualAward) NormFirth,FortMcPhersonFireDepartment(IndividualAward) FortSmithFireDepartment BehchoköFireDepartment

NWT Length of Service Awards 

MACArecognizesvolunteerandpaidfirefighterswhohaveservedforlengthsoftwo,five,ten,15and20yearswithindividualcertificatesaswellaslengthofservicepins,medals,oracommemorativeclaspandservicebarforeachperiod.Allvolunteerandpaidfirefightersareeligibletoreceivelengthofserviceawards.AsMACAdoesnotkeeprecords on community firefighters, the Department issues a call annually to fire departments andcommunitygovernmentsforapplicationsforeachlevelofawardasfirefightersbecomeeligible.LengthofservicewillbeverifiedbythecommunitySeniorAdministrativeOfficeorFireChiefoneachapplication.TheOFMissueslengthofserviceawardsasapplicationsarereceivedandverified. Awardsmaybesentdirectlytorecipientsormaybepresentedatanorganizedevent.

Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal (Federal Award)  FourNWTresidentsreceivedFireServiceExemplaryServiceMedalsin2014:

StephenMoss–PreviousFireMarshalandYellowknifeVolunteerFirefighter(30yearbar) RossPotter‐HayRiverFireDepartment(20yearmedal) VinceMcKay–HayRiverFireDepartment(20yearmedal) VinceSharpe–InuvikFireDepartment(20yearmedal)

The Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal, created on August 29, 1985, honours members of arecognizedCanadianfireservicewhohavecompleted20yearsofservice,tenyearsofwhichhavebeenservedintheperformanceofdutiesinvolvingpotentialrisks,andwereemployedonorafterthedateofcreationoftheMedal.

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Recognized fire services include Canadian fire departments, fire marshals’ offices, fire commissioners’offices and the Canadian Forces fire services. Exemplary service is characterized by good conduct,industryandefficiency.Consideration is given only to periods of service for which no other long service, good conduct orefficiencydecorationormedalhasbeenawardedbytheCrown.ApersonwhohasbeenawardedthemedaliseligibletobeawardedaBarinrespectofeachadditionaltenyearperiodofserviceinthefireservicesinCanada,afterthe20yearperiod,inrespectofwhichhewasawardedtheMedal,ifthatserviceisofsuchgoodstandingastowarrantanaward.In order to nominate a person to receive the medal, you must contact the NWT Chair of the AwardsCommitteeandprovidethefollowinginformation:

Thenameofthepersonbeingnominated; TheirtimeofserviceYEAR/MTHtoYEAR/MTHandthename(s)ofeachfiredepartmentserved

in;and Aletterrequestingthatthepersonbenominatedtoreceivethemedalfromthemunicipalcouncil,

FireChief,FireMarshal,etc.TheChairoftheNWTAwardsCommitteeisChuckerDewaroftheOFM. TheChaircanbecontactedbyphoneat(867)767‐9161,extension21026,orbywritingto:

OfficeoftheFireMarshalGovernmentoftheNorthwestTerritoriesMunicipalandCommunityAffairs#600,520150AvenueYellowknife,NTXIA3S9

 

Office of the Fire Marshal  ChuckerDewarFireMarshal,PublicSafetyDivisionDepartmentofMunicipalandCommunityAffairsGovernmentoftheNorthwestTerritoriesPhone:(867)767‐9161Extension:21026Fax:(867)873‐0260