REFORT MAR 6 1978

Mayor and Council March 3rd, 1978

Building and Protection Committee

Re: Manning of Northside Fire Hall

Council will recall that last year when the decision was made to
open the Northside Hall, it was to be on a six month trial basis. Subsequently,
Council extended this in anticipation of receiving a report from the
Underwriters concerning fire services within the City. It was anticipated
that this particular report would comment on the manning of the Hall, among
other things.

Over a year has passed and it would appear that this report is
not yet forthcoming. The inspectors compiling the report gathered all the
necessary information, however, there have been so many changes within the
structure of the Fire Department, in our equipment, and in the Water System,
that I expect the information will all have to be gathered again before the
report can be concluded. In the meantime, we have a number of staff members
at the Northside Halli that were appointed, on a temporary basis, as Captains
and these appointments have never been confirmed. The Firefighters’ Union
have asked that Council consider a decision as to whether or not the Hall
should remain open so that these positions can be confirmed.

The Fire Chief has commented that the manning of the Northside
Hail has improved the first response to fires or inhalator calls on the
North side and in this respect has been a great improvement. The only
disadvantage it has created is that it has spread our manpower too thin,
whereas before, we had adequate men to man all shifts at one location, we
now have frequent problems in keeping enough manpower at both locations.
Generally, there is one man on vacation at any one time and if we have men
off on Course or off due to sickness, there is just barely enough men to
cover both locations and it could be serious if we have a bad fire on the
North side, for instance, and only two men are able to respond and cover
the situation until they are backed up by men from the No. 1 Hall. These
problems will be, no doubt, discussed in detail at this year's Budget
discussions when we review manpower requirements.

In the meantime, the Committee feels that having established the
Northside Hall operation, that we should agree to its continue operation
rather than revert to a one Hall operation. The Committee recommends that
Council pass a resolution confirming the Northside Fire Hall's continued
operation.