2016 ofm annual report - northwest territories · the ofm is also responsible for ensuring these...

2016 Annual ReportOffice of the Fire Marshal

OFM ANNUAL REPORT 2016

TableofContents

OfficeoftheFireMarshal...................................................................................................................................1 Mandate.........................................................................................................................................................................................2 DutiesandResponsibilities..................................................................................................................................................2 Staff..................................................................................................................................................................................................3 Partnerships................................................................................................................................................................................3

CurrentInitiatives................................................................................................................................................4 CommunityGovernmentFireProtectionPresentation...........................................................................................4 CommunityFireProtectionAssessments&ActionPlans.......................................................................................5 FirePreventionActReviewUpdate...................................................................................................................................5 PlanReviewGuidelines..........................................................................................................................................................5 Adoptionof2015Codes.........................................................................................................................................................5 OccupancyLoadPermittingGuidelines..........................................................................................................................6 OfficeoftheAuditorGeneral(OAG)ActionPlan.........................................................................................................4 FirePreventionActivities......................................................................................................................................................6

RegionalStatisticalSummaries........................................................................................................................8 SouthSlaveRegion...................................................................................................................................................................8 DehChoRegion..........................................................................................................................................................................9 SahtuRegion.............................................................................................................................................................................10 InuvikRegion...........................................................................................................................................................................11 NorthSlaveRegion................................................................................................................................................................12

TerritorialResponseStatistics.......................................................................................................................13 SummarybyRegionandResponseType.....................................................................................................................13 Territorial5‐YearComparativeSummary..................................................................................................................13

IncendiaryFireOccurrences(Arson)...........................................................................................................14 Injury&CostAnalysis........................................................................................................................................14 GeneralObservations........................................................................................................................................15 On‐GoingActivities.............................................................................................................................................16 TrainingInitiatives.............................................................................................................................................16 PlanReview...........................................................................................................................................................17 FireServiceMeritAwards................................................................................................................................18 LengthofServiceAwards.................................................................................................................................19 ContactInformation...........................................................................................................................................20

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Mandate

Toworkwithpartners tominimize the riskof fireandany relatedpropertydamage, injury, or lossof lifethroughprevention,investigationandcodecompliance.

Duties and Responsibilities

The responsibilities of the OFM are established in the Northwest Territories Fire Prevention Act whichrequirestheOFMtoperformthefollowingduties:

• Keeparecordoffiresreported;

Disseminate informationandadviceabout firepreventionand fireprotectionbymeansofpublicmeetings,pressarticles,exhibitions,radio,televisionorotherpublicitycampaigns

• Reviewplansfortheconstruction,alteration,andrepairofstructuresforcompliancewithadoptedcodesandstandards,andwithaviewtodeterminingthatproperprecautionsaretakenagainstfireandthespreadoffire;

• Conduct fireprevention inspections fromtime to time todetermine ifprecautionsagainst fireandthespreadoffireareadequateandsatisfactorilymaintained;

• Conductfireinvestigationstodeterminethecause,origin,andcircumstancesoffires;

• Contribute to the development of community fire departments through identification of trainingprogramsandcoursesandtheprovisionofguidancetomeetindustrystandards;

• Submit an annual report to the Minister setting out causes and origins of fires, information onfatalitiesorinjuriesinflictedbyfire,investigationsandanynecessaryinquiriesoffires,prosecutionsforarsonorattemptedarson,asummaryofOFMadministrationoffirepreventionandcommunityfireprotectionactivity,togetherwithanyotherinformationthattheMinistermayrequest;

• AdviseandmakerecommendationstotheMinisterwithrespectto:

The establishment of fire departments, the necessary organization and equipment of firedepartmentsandtheestablishmentoftrainingprogramsforfirefighters

Theprovisionofadequatewatersupplyforfire‐fightingpurposes

Theinstallationandmaintenanceoffire‐alarmsystemsandfireextinguishingequipment

Thestorage,use,saleordisposalofcombustibles,explosivesorotherflammablematerial

Theconstructionandmaintenanceoffire‐escapesandotherexitfacilitiesintheeventoffireorthealarmoffire

Thetypesandadequacyoffire‐alarmsincommunitiesand,inoronanybuildingorproperty

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Staff In2016,theOFMconsistedofeightstaffmemberswhofilledthefollowingpositions:

• FireMarshal

• ChiefCodeComplianceEngineer(planreview)

• SeniorPolicyAdvisor

• AssistantFireMarshal,SahtuRegion

• AssistantFireMarshal,InuvikRegion

• AssistantFireMarshal,NorthSlaveRegion

• AssistantFireMarshal,DehChoRegion

• AssistantFireMarshal,SouthSlaveRegion

Partnerships

TheOFMworkswithavarietyoforganizationsandgroupsonissuesassociatedwithfiresafety.Theyareasfollows:

• NWTAssociationofCommunities(NWTAC)

• LocalGovernmentAdministratorsoftheNWT(LGANT)

• NorthwestTerritoriesFireChief’sAssociation(NWTFCA)

• WorkersSafetyandCompensationCommission(WSCC)

TheOFMalsoworkswithavarietyofotherorganizationsandgroupson issuesassociatedwith firesafety.Theyareasfollows:

• CouncilofCanadianFireMarshalandFireCommissioners(CCFMFC)

• CanadianFireSafetyAdvisoryCouncil(CFSAC)

• CanadianCommissiononBuildingandFireCodes(CCBFC)

• NationalResearchCouncilofCanada(NRCC)

• Provincial/TerritorialPolicyAdvisoryCommitteeonCodes(PTPACC)

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Current Initiatives

Office of the Auditor General (OAG) Action Plan

Between October 2015 and August 2016, the OAG conducted a Performance Audit of the Department ofMunicipalandCommunityAffairs(MACA)focusingonareasinvolvinghealthandsafety.MACAwelcomedtheopportunitytocompletethereviewofitssupportsforthedeliveryofessentialservicesandcooperatedfullywiththeOAGthroughallphasesoftheaudit.Aspartoftheexamination,theOAGcarriedoutinterviewswithvarious departmental stakeholders and travelled into some communities to interview local communitygovernments.Stemming fromthiswork,13recommendationsweremadebytheOAGto improve the leveland type of support provided to NWT community governments. Each recommendationwas accepted andreflectedinanActionPlanforImprovingSupporttoCommunityGovernmentsintheNWT,includingtakingimmediate actions to reassess whether communities with fire departmentsmeet requirements under theSafety Act. For those fire departments that do not, MACA should work with community government toestablish a plan to assist them in meeting requirements. For community governments without firedepartments,theDepartmentshouldworkwiththemtodevelopastrategyforfiresafety.

In response to the OAG’s recommendations, the OFM is implementing tools and actions to strengthencommunity fire protection services for NWT communities, including consultation on updating the FirePreventionActandfurtherdefiningcommunitygovernment’sroleinfireprotection.

TheDepartment’seffortsalsoincludeafiredepartmentassessmenttool,scheduledforcompletioninspring2016,whichwill assess administrative aspects of community fire services including compliance under theSafety Act. Once the assessment tool is complete, the Department will provide councils and staff withinformationonthetoolandseektheircommitmentandinterestinusingittoidentifycurrentlevelsofserviceandgapsorrisks.Asassessmentsarecompleted,theDepartmentwillworkwithcommunitygovernmentstoidentifyactionsrequiredtoaddressgaps,obtaincompliancewiththeSafetyAct,andmeettheirdesiredlevelofservice.

The full suite of tools and resources, including sample by‐laws, standard operating procedures, trainingstrategies,andpubliceducationtoolswillbecompletebywinter2018.

If a communitydoesnothavea firedepartment, effortswill focuson fireprevention to reduce the riskofinjuryordamage.

Community Government Fire Protection Presentation

In2016,fireprotectionpartnersproducedaCommunityFireProtectionVideoPresentationtohelpprovidecommunitygovernmentswithagoodunderstandingofthecriticalelementsofthefireservice,andtoguidetheireffortstowardsachievingcommunityfireprotectiongoalsandoutcomes.

Thevideohighlightssomeoftheadvantagesthatcanbeachievedbyhavingawell‐organized,managed,andtrained fire service in the community and includes recommendations on fire protection measures, bestpractices,regulations,andavailablesupportforestablishing,maintaining,andstrengtheningacommunity’sfireservice.

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Community Fire Protection Assessments & Action Plans

In 2016, the OFM developed a Fire Department Assessment Tool to provide community leaders with anefficientmeans toassess their firedepartment’s current capacity, identify any criticalgaps, anddetermineresourceneeds.Informationgatheredfromtheassessmentwillhelpcommunitiesdevelopadetailedactionplantowardsasustainableanddesiredlevelofservice.

Assessment items in the tool are directly linked to key performance indicators in MACA’s AccountabilityFrameworkforCommunityGovernments.Ultimately,thetoolwillhelpcommunitygovernmentsmaintainaregularsystemofinspectionandevaluationoftheirfireservice.

Fire Prevention Act Review Update

MACA continues efforts to review the legislative framework that governs structural fire prevention in theNWT.This legislative frameworkrelatestothe investigationandreportingofstructural fires,regulates firehazards, and allows for the adoption of codes and standards for the prevention and extinguishment ofstructural fires. The legislative framework ismade up of theFirePreventionAct (Act), aswell as the FirePrevention Regulations, Fireworks Regulations, and the Propane Cylinder Storage Regulations, establishedundertheact.

In2016,apublicdiscussiondocumentwasreleasedtoengageresidentsandstakeholdersforthepurposeofgaining feedback tohelpMACAunderstandwhat is andwhat isnotworkingwithin the current legislativeframework. The resultsof this initial roundof consultationwill form thebasisof a focuseddialoguewithstakeholders in 2017,whichwill informdevelopment of a legislative proposal during the 18th LegislativeAssembly.

Plan Review Guidelines

Plan review plays a vital role in the GNWT’s obligation to protect occupants and property from fire andspreadof fire.Pursuant to theFPA, theOFMconductsa reviewof constructionplansandspecifications todetermine if theymeet therequirementsof theFPAand itsRegulations.OncetheOFMhasreviewedplansandspecifications,awrittenreportisprovidedtothepersonwhosubmittedthedocuments.

In2014,MACAaddedrigortothePlanReviewfunctiontoensureadequatesafetyforresidents.Thepreviousapproachinvolvedageneralreviewonly,whichdidnotadequatelyservetoconfirmcoderequirementswereactuallybeing achieved in the finaldesigns andplans. In2015, thisworkwas supplementedby adetailedexaminationof theplan review function to ensure theOFM ismeeting its regulatory responsibility and tovalidatealignmentofregulatoryrequirementswiththecurrentoperatingenvironment.

In late 2015, MACA met with industry stakeholders to better understand their current operatingenvironment,whichresultedinpublishedguidelinestohelpindustrynavigatetheplanreviewprocess.Thenewguidelineswerereleasedinearly2016andwillimprovethelikelihoodofcodecomplianceintheearlystagesofthedesignphaseforconstructionprojectsintheNWT.

Adoption of 2015 Codes

TheNationalBuildingCodeofCanada(NBC),publishedbyNationalResearchCouncil(NRC)anddevelopedbythe Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes, sets out technical provisions for the design andconstructionofnewbuildings.TheNationalFireCodeofCanada (NFC),publishedbyNRCanddevelopedalsoby the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes, sets out the technical provisions regulating

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activities related to the construction, use ordemolition of buildings and facilities, the conditionof specificelementsofbuildingsandfacilities,andthedesignorconstructionofspecificelementsoffacilitiesrelatedtocertainhazardsaswellastheprotectionmeasuresforthecurrentorintendeduseofbuildings.BoththeNBCand NFC are adopted by the GNWT through the Fire PreventionRegulations,which guide the OFM’s planreviewfunction.

The2015NBCandNFCwereformallyadoptedbytheGNWTthroughtheFirePreventionRegulationseffectiveNovember15,2016.AdoptionofthelatestnationalmodelcodesensuresthatinfrastructuredevelopmentintheNWToccurs inamannerconsistentwith the latest researchandbuilding technologies.Ultimately, thishelpsensuremaximumprotectionfromfireandthespreadoffire.

Thenexteditionofthenationalmodelcodeswillbereleasedin2020.

Occupancy Load Permitting Guidelines

In2016, theOFMcreatedoccupancy loadpermittingguidelinesandanonlineapplicationprocess toassistresidentsthatareplanningspecialeventssuchasweddings,sportseventsandotherfunctions.Anoccupantloadisnecessarytoprovideforthesafetyofoccupantsandcanbedefinedas“thetotalnumberofpersonsthatmightoccupyabuildingorportionthereofatanyonetime”.

AsarequirementofadoptedcodesandstandardsintheFirePreventionRegulations,OFMisresponsibleforestablishingoccupancyloadsandissuingpermitsforassemblyspaces/publicspacesorwhereachangeofuseisbeingproposed,whethertemporaryorpermanent.

TheOFMisalsoresponsibleforensuringthesefacilitiesaresafefromthethreatoffire.Inordertodothat,theOFMmayinspectorrequestinformationrelatedtothemaintenanceofabuildingslifesafetysystemsi.e.–fire alarm/sprinkler system, emergency lighting, back‐up generator, commercial cooking and heatingequipmentetc.Thisistoconfirmabuildingorspaceissafeforusepriortoissuinganoccupantloadpermit.TheOFMmayalsorequireadditionalmeasurestoensurethefiresafetyofoccupantswheneventsoccurinstructuresnotnormallyintendedasassemblyspacesorfortheservingofalcohol.

An OFM occupancy load permit is required prior to receiving a special event license through the LiquorLicensingBoard.

Fire Prevention Activities

Each year, the OFM looks to Fire Prevention Week (FPW) to educate residents and promote fire safetyawarenessinitiativesinlinewiththenationaltheme.Thisyear’sFPWtookplaceOctober9ththrough15th.Thethemefor2016was“DON’TWAITCHECKTHEDATE:Replacesmokealarmsevery10years”.

TheOFMtargetsthreemainaudiencesduringFPW:

GeneralPublicProviding information toNWTresidents thathelps themunderstand the importanceofbeingprepared forthedangersoffire.

SchoolsInvolvementandsupportfromschoolsisessentialforsuccessfuluseanddistributionofFPWmaterials.

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CommunityFireDepartmentsProvidingmessagingabouttheimportanceofeducatingthepubliconfiresafety,andprovidingcommunityfiredepartmentswithtoolstohelpthemengagethepublicontheseissues.

TheOFMhassourcedanumberofprintedmaterialsfordistributiontolocalfiredepartments,schools,andresidentsincluding:

• A guide for local fire departments to plan and implement a successful smoke alarm installationprogramwithintheircommunities;

• AFireSafetyStartsWithYou(FSSWY)school activitybookletwithpuzzles, games,quizzes, andgeneralfiresafetyinformation;

TheFSSWYprogram isdevelopedannually incollaborationwithpublic fireand lifesafetyeducatorsinthewesternprovincesandterritories.

• Aschoolnewsletterandfiresafetytipsposter;

• A teacher lessonplanwhichprovides suggestedactivitiesonhow tomakeeffectiveuseofFSSWYactivitybooklets;and

• Afamily letterandhomefiresafety inspectionchecklistencouragingparents toreviewtheFSSWYactivitybookletswiththeirchildrenandinspecttheirhomeforfiresafety.

NWT residents and their children who completed the checklist are entered in an onlinecontesttowinone‐of‐fiveregionalhomefiresafetyprizekits,whichinclude:combinationsmoke/carbonmonoxidedetectors,anemergencyflashlight,andafirestationLEGOkit.

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Regional Statistical Summaries

South Slave Region

FiresReported FalseAlarms1 FireInvestigations

FireInspections

Enterprise 0 0 0 1

FortResolution 0 0 0 3

FortSmith 1 0 1 22

HayRiver 6 17 6 10

FortProvidence 0 0 0 7

Kátł’odeecheFirstNation 1 0 1 0

Kakisa 0 0 0 1

Hinterland 0 0 0 0

TOTAL 8 17 8 44

Firescausingover$100,000indamageFortSmith Men’sCorrectionalGarage $100,000HayRiver AlexPintoMackenzieHighway $140,000HayRiver 4AbbyPlace $250,000HayRiver EmergencyTrainingCenter $200,000Kátł’odeecheFirstNation SingleFamilyResidence $100,000

FireLossbyActorOmission

1Falsealarmdataistypicallyonlyreportedbylargercommunities.

Accidental 5Natural 0Incendiary 2Undetermined 1

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Deh Cho Region

FiresReported FalseAlarms

FireInvestigations

FireInspections

FortLiard 0 0 0 0

FortSimpson 3 6 3 18

JeanMarieRiver 0 0 0 0

NahanniButte 0 0 0 1

SambaaK’e 0 0 0 0

Wrigley 0 0 0 0

Hinterland 0 0 0 0

TOTAL 3 6 3 19

Firescausingover$100,000indamageTherewerenolossesduetofirethatexceeded$100,000indamages.



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Sahtu Region

FiresReported FalseAlarmsFire

InvestigationsFire

Inspections

ColvilleLake 0 0 0 0

Délįnę 0 0 0 2

FortGoodHope 0 0 0 6

NormanWells 1 0 1 0

Tulita 0 0 0 1

Hinterland 0 0 0 0

TOTAL 1 0 1 9

Firescausingover$100,000indamageTherewerenolossesduetofirethatexceeded$100,000indamages.



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Inuvik Region


InvestigationsFire

Inspections

Aklavik 0 0 0 14

FortMcPherson 0 0 0 10

Inuvik 10 84 10 362

Paulatuk 0 0 0 10

SachsHarbour 0 0 0 6

Tsiigehtchic 1 0 1 6

Tuktoyaktuk 1 0 1 14

Ulukhaktok 0 0 0 12

Hinterland 0 0 0 0

TOTAL 12 84 12 108

Firescausingover$100,000indamageInuvik Housing6Plex $2,000,000Inuvik MillenniumConstruction $200,000


2InuvikFireDepartmentconductsallinspectionswithinitsmunicipalboundaries.


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North Slave Region


InvestigationsFire

Inspections

Dettah 0 0 0 0

Behchokö 4 3 1 11

Gamètì 0 0 0 7

ŁutselK'e 0 0 0 7

N’Dilo 0 0 0 4

Wekweètì 0 0 0 5

Whatì 0 0 0 8

Yellowknife 205 157 7 4303

Hinterland 4 0 3 0

TOTAL 213 160 11 472

Firescausingover$100,000indamageHinterland #6PreludeEast $498,000Yellowknife FitzgeraldCarpeting $1,700,0004Yellowknife 3815Bretzlaff $323,500Yellowknife 144MoyleDrive $655,000Yellowknife 124EnterpriseDr. $188,300Behchokö OurVideo $840,000Hinterland Lot324PickerelLake $301,000Hinterland NamushkaLodge $1,200,000Yellowknife Coyote’sRestaurant $1,400,000


3YellowknifeFireDepartmentandOFMsharefireinspectionresponsibilitiescarriedoutwithinYellowknife’smunicipalboundaries.Eachagencycompleted215inspectionsofthereported430inspectionsconductedin2016.4Valuebasedonstructureonly.


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Territorial Statistical Summary

Summary by Region and Response Type

FiresReported FalseAlarms FireInvestigations

FireInspections

SouthSlave 8 17 8 44

DehCho 3 6 3 19

Sahtu 1 0 1 9

Inuvik 12 84 12 108

NorthSlave 213 160 11 472

237 267 35 652

Territorial 5‐Year Comparative Summary

FiresReported 290 278 276 251 237

FalseAlarms 240 283 286 279 267

FireInvestigations 9 33 44 37 35

FireInspections 489 379 410 543 652

PlanReviews 159 101 88 90 83

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

NumberofIncidents

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Incendiary Fire Occurrences (Arson)

Anincendiaryfire(Arson)isthecriminalactofdeliberatelysettingfiretoproperty.ArsonfiresoccureveryyearintheNWTandcontinuetobeaconcerntotheOFM.Whenafireoccurswithcriminalintent,theRoyalCanadianMountedPolice(RCMP)aretheleadinvestigativeagencywiththeOFMprovidingfireinvestigationexpertiseandsupportasneeded.In2016,therewere32arsoninvestigations,a16percentdecreasefromthepreviousyear.

Arsoninvestigationoutcomeswereasfollows:

ARSONINVESTIGATIONSSUMMARY

Clearedofcharge 3Cleared(under12yrs) 5Cleared(diversionprogram) 2Unsolved 16Unfounded 3Remainunderinvestigation 3TOTAL 32

Injury & Cost Analysis

Thefollowingisasummaryofpopulation,fireandcoststatisticsforthefiveregionsoftheNWTin2016.

SouthSlave

Dehcho Sahtu Inuvik NorthSlave

NorthwestTerritories

Population 7,176 3,450 2,535 6,684 24,624 44,469

FiresReported 8 3 1 12 213 237

Dollarloss(000) $790 $0 $0 $2,200 $7,106 $10,096

$$lossperCapita $110 $0 $0 $329 $330 $227

Fatalities 0 0 0 0 0 0

Injuries 0 0 0 0 0 0

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General Observations

FiresclassifiedasaccidentalcontinuetoimpactNWTresidents.ThissignalsanecessityfortheOFMtocontinuetoworkcloselywithcommunityfireservicespersonnelandresidentstobringagreaterawarenesstofirepreventionmeasures(i.e.PublicEducationandFirePreventionInspections).

Community reporting of fires to the OFM remains challenging in the NWT. This is a trend acrossCanada and demonstrates the need for the OFM to educate communities on the necessity andimportance of reporting and to simplify fire reporting to the extent possible. Fire reportingcontributes to identification for fire prevention programming in the NWT and the tracking ofTerritorialstatistics.

Ananomalyexistsinthe5yearcomparativesummarychartwhichindicatesasignificantincreaseinFire Inspections over the period. This trend is due to increased demand for OFM regulatoryinspectionsfortheNorthSlaveRegion(i.e.liquorlicensing,businesslicensing,daycares,etc.).Ofthereported652 inspectionsconductedthroughout theTerritory for2016,472occurred in theNorthSlaveRegion.ThistrendexertsanincreasingpressurefortheOFMtoperformthisfunctionfortheregion.

TheOFMconducts all fire inspections in smaller communitiesdue to limited community capacity;whichresultsinincreasedpressure,particularlywhentraveltoconductfollow‐upisrequired.

Themajorityofregulatoryactivity(inspections/investigations)continuestooccurintheNorthSlaveRegionduetothehighconcentrationofinfrastructureandpopulation.

Per capita dollar loss increased in the North Slave and Inuvik regions from 2015 which can beattributedtoseveralhighdollarlossfires.

Out of the 35 fires investigated by the OFM in 2016, 29 percent were suspicious in nature; thisrepresentsa12percentdecreasefromthepreviousyear.ThedifferencebetweennumberoffirestheOFMinvestigatedversusthearsonstatisticscanbeattributedto3ofthefireinvestigationsresultinginnoidentifiablecause.

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On‐Going Activities

Training Initiatives

MACA’sSchoolofCommunityGovernment(SCG)providescommunitieswithaccreditedandnon‐accreditedfire training through a variety of delivery methods i.e. ‐ in‐community (face to face) and online deliverymethodsusinginstructorsfromtheNWTandCollegeoftheRockiesfiretraininginstructorswhoalsoprovideevaluationtotheTerritory.

Customized fire trainingprogramsallows flexibleandcommunitydriven initiatives toenhancecommunityprotection and preparedness. Accreditation by the College of the Rockies allows participants to holdcertification under recognized Fire Fighting standards and enhances personal development as well asgeneratesasetbaseofvolunteerswithskillsthatareapplicableanywhereintheNWTorCanada.

CommunitiescanrequesttrainingfromaBasiclevel(preventionbased)uptoaProfessionallevel‐NationalFireProtectionAssociation(NFPA1001)dependingoncommunityobjectives,availableresources,needsandcapacity. Additional training options are also available i.e. – Fire Inspection training (NFPA 1031) / FireInvestigator(NFPA1033)/FireOfficer(NFPA1021)forcommunityapplication.

ThefollowingchartidentifiesfiretrainingthatwasprovidedintheNWTfor2016basedonthetypeoftrainingreceived:

CourseofferedHost

CommunityStartDate

NumberofStudents

Student'sCommunity

ProfessionalLevelofService–NFPA1001(variouschapters)

FortSmith 1/1/2016 4 FortSmith‐4

NFPA472 Online 1/21/2016 7HayRiver‐ 4Ft.Smith–1Inuvik‐2

ProfessionalLevelofService–NFPA1001(variouschapters)

FortSimpson 3/2/2016 6 FortSimpson‐6

ProfessionalLevelofService–NFPA1001(variouschapters) Inuvik 4/13/2016 8 Inuvik–8

ProfessionalLevelofService–NFPA1001(variouschapters) Yellowknife 4/20/2016 6 Yellowknife–6

FireServiceInstructor–NFPA1041

Yellowknife 5/27/2016 11 Yellowknife–11

StandardLevelofService(LevelI)–Defensive

Enterprise 6/24/2016 6 Enterprise–6

StandardLevelofService(LevelII)–Defensive

Enterprise 7/22/2016 7 Enterprise–6HayRiver–1

StandardLevelofService(LevelIII)–Defensive

Enterprise 10/15/2016 8 Enterprise–6HayRiver–2

HazardousMaterialsOperations–NFPA472 HayRiver 10/28/2016 10

HayRiver‐ 6FortSmith–2Inuvik–2

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Plan Review

TheOFMisresponsibleforreviewingplansofallconstructionexcludingsinglefamilydwellingsandancillarystructuresforsinglefamilydwellings.

WiththeexceptionofYellowknife,thereisnoregulatoryauthorityintheNWTtoensureabuildingissafeforpublicoccupancyinrelationtoadoptedcodesandstandards,beyondthefiresafetyrequirementsidentifiedbytheFPA.PlansandspecificationsarereviewedbytheOFMtodeterminewhethertheymeetthefiresafetyrequirementsadoptedbytheFirePreventionRegulations,developersareresponsibletoensureallstatutoryrequirements are met and construction is completed in a manner consistent with the OFM plan reviewassessment.

TheOFMalso participates as amember of the Canadian Commission onBuilding and Fire Codes, and theProvincial/TerritorialPolicyAdvisoryCommitteeonCodes.Thesecommitteescoordinate thedevelopmentandrevisionofthecodesadoptedthroughtheFPAthatgovernallconstructionandrenovationsintheNWT.

The plan review activity involves a wide variety of construction projects including multi‐residential,commercial,resourcedevelopment,fuelstorageanddispensing,mining,oilandgas,watersupply,etc.Planreviewisconductedonafeeforservicebasis.

In2016,theOFMreviewed83plansforconstructionofnewbuildingsand/oralterationsofexistingbuildings.

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Fire Service Merit Awards

CommunityfirefightersandfiredepartmentsplayacriticalroleinsafeguardingresidentsandcommunitiesoftheNWT.FirefightersarereliedupontoprovideanessentialservicethatprotectsthelivesandpropertyofallNWTresidents. MACAacknowledges thevital contributionsmadeby fire fightersand firedepartmentsthroughtheFireServiceMeritAwardsProgram(FSMA).

Allcommunityfiredepartments,volunteer,andpaidfirefightersintheNWTareeligibletoreceiveaFSMA.NomineesareconsideredforawardsbasedontheircontributiontotheNWTfireserviceand/orcommunityfireprotection.

Thiscontributionmayinclude,butisnotlimitedto:

• Anoutstandingachievementinfireprotection;

• Aninnovativeideaorsolutiontoafirerelatedissue;

• Ahighdegreeofpersonalcommitment;

• Ademonstratedimprovementoverthepastyear(includingtrainingachievements);and

• Theimpactofachievementsonthecommunityand/ortheterritory.

CommunityfireserviceawardsarepresentedtorecognizeoutstandingeffortstotheNWTfireservicemadebyacommunity. Onlythosecommunitiesthathaveshownamarkedenhancementofemergencyservicetothe community,measured against a formal assessment by theOFM,will be considered in a given year. Aselectioncommitteechoosesawardrecipientsfromamongallnominationsreceivedbythepublic.

FSMAmaybepresentedtorecipientsatapublicawardsceremonytobeheldeachyeartocoincidewithFPW(theweekcontainingOctober9thofeachyear).Awardsarepresentedregionally.

In2016,thefollowingnominee’sreceivedaFSMA:

Individuals

LieutenantAdamCatcher,YellowknifeFireDepartment

• Lieutenant Catcher was recognized for his contributions to community fire departments throughMACA’sSchoolofCommunityGovernmentNFPA1001onlinefirefightertrainingprogram.

Fire Departments

NormanWellsFireDepartment

• The NormanWells fire department was recognized for their teamwork during a technical rescueoperation.

EnterpriseFireDepartment

• TheEnterprise firedepartmentwas recognized for theirefforts inadvancing their community firedepartmentin‐linewithindustrystandardsandsafetyrequirements.

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Length of Service Awards

MACArecognizesvolunteerandpaidfirefighterswhohaveservedforlengthsoftwo,five,ten,15,20,25,30and35yearswithindividualcertificatesaswellaslengthofservicepins,medals,oracommemorativeclaspandservicebarforeachperiod.

Allvolunteerandpaidfirefightersareeligibletoreceivelengthofserviceawards. AsMACAdoesnotkeeprecordsoncommunityfirefighters,theDepartmentissuesacallannuallytofiredepartmentsandcommunitygovernmentsforapplicationsforeachlevelofawardasfirefightersbecomeeligible.LengthofservicewillbeverifiedbythecommunitySeniorAdministrativeOfficeorFireChiefoneachapplication.

The OFM issues length of service awards as applications are received and verified. Awardsmay be sentdirectlytorecipientsormaybepresentedatanorganizedevent.

In 2016, ceremonies took place in the South Slave, Inuvik and North Slave regions to recognize NWTvolunteerandpaidfirefightingpersonnel.

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Contact Information

OfficeoftheFireMarshalChuckerDewar,NorthwestTerritoriesFireMarshalPublicSafetyDivisionDepartmentofMunicipalandCommunityAffairsGovernmentoftheNorthwestTerritoriesPhone:(867)767‐9161Ext(21026)Fax:(867)873‐0260http://www.maca.gov.nt.ca

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