UY

SEP 2

TO: All Members of Council September 18th, 1975

FROM: Alderman M.A, Thompson

SUBJECT: Review of the Keenlyside Report on Fire Services in the Province

As Council is aware the Provincial Government recently received the
completed "Keenlyside Report" on Fire Services in B.C. The Report contains
many far reaching recommendations that require prompt Provincial action,
however, there are anumber of suggested recommendations that call for
positive action on behalf of Local Governments.

. I will attempt to review the 130 page report and bring forward certain
steps to be tuken. So that you will attach some importance to the need for

action I quote:
"The most serious element in the fire protection and suppression

situation in B.C. is public indifference."
" . The Factual Record
A- The British Columbia Fire Record
‘The British Columbia ‘Fire record is the worst of any province

in Canada.
It is also worse than the United States average although. the

American record of fire losses both in lives and property is the
worst of all industrial nations.

For the ten years from 1963-1972 inclusive, the number of
deaths by fire in British Columbia averaged 94.8, the worst
record per capita of any province except Prince Edward Island
and, omitting Prince Edward Island, 75% above the national rate.

The annual financial loss over the past 5 years has risen as

follows :-
YEAR LOSSES
1974 $62,842,182
1973 45,693,116
“1972 37,389,116
1971 34,716,758
1970 34,561,074
For the same years our average per capita financial loss by
fire in British Columbia was $12.33. This was 30% higher than

the second worst record, that of Quebec; and 74% higher than the