GREATER VICTORIA TRAINING OFFICERS ASSOCIATION
Minutes of the Meeting Held
January 13, 2009

The meeting was held at Sidney Fire Hall.

Present:    

Hank Michno                       Sidney
Matt Barney                        Sooke                        
John Robertson                   Central Saanich
John Trelford                       North Saanich
Jamie Holmes                      Salt Spring Island
Steve Stark                          DND
Peter Cornell                       Qualicum Beach
Chris Jancowski                  Port Alberni
Brent Donaldson                 Saanich
Heath Bevan                        View Royal
Kerry Smith                         Colwood
Aaron Collier                       Combs

Meeting called to order and chaired by Assistant Chief Hank Michno at 10:05 hours.

New Business:

There was a general discussion on the new 1st responder evaluator’s course. Once the instructors have done the course they must register for an online course as well as an online evaluation before they receive their certification. Once their certification has been received they are able to upgrade the rest of the 1st responder instructors in their department.

The annual BCFTOA seminar is scheduled for May 23 to May 28, 2009. The registration and courses should be on the BCFTOA website shortly.

There is a structural collapse course presented by Glen Cooper of DND in conjunction with ROCO scheduled for Feb. 16 to 20, 2009. The cost of the course is $1085.00 per person. Anyone who is interested can contact Glen at 250 363-2774.

The High Rise Firefighting presentation by District Chief Dave McGrail of the Denver Fire Department is scheduled for Saturday January 17th from 0830 to 1630. Contact Deputy Gord Anderson of Esquimalt Fire if you are unsure if you are registered for the presentation.

Saanich Fire is hosting some upcoming courses in the next couple of months. They are F-160 scheduled for Feb. 9 to 13th with evaluations slated for Feb. 14 and 15. FSI-2 scheduled for March 6 to 8 and Hazardous Materials Operations slated for some time in April. Registration for all courses can be done through the Justice Institute of B.C.

A discussion among the members present revealed that all have to wait an excessive amount of time for module exam results. The wait time for results used to be one or two weeks but now departments are looking at months for results which is totally unacceptable when departments are trying to administer the JI exam process. The GVFTOA has asked Jamie Holmes, 2nd vice president of the BCFTOA to bring this issue to the attention of the executive for a resolution with the Justice Institute.

There were 2 regional hazmat training sessions in the fall. 29 hazardous materials technicians attended the sessions. There are now 54 hazmat technicians in the regional database. The next training session is scheduled for Feb. 21 at Dunsmuir Lodge. Gary Gordon of Boeing will be the presenter for the session.

There was a discussion on NFPA 1851 for the rotation of turnout gear. There was a comment put forth that Worksafe B.C. is now using NFPA 1851 as a guideline for all turnout gear and related equipment.  

Rehydration programs were discussed amongst the departments and what were departments using for forms. A/C Michno will attach Sidney’s form for members to look at.

Round Table

Sooke

  1. Hosting a Haz-Mat operations course sometime this spring.

DND

  1. 3 new firefighters hired late fall.
  2. January 20, 21 Strategy and Tactics course for company officers.

Saanich

  1. Training review done by Keith Boswell and Craig Richardson.
  2. As of January 1, 2009 training is now slated 7 days a week.
  3. Implementing the FDM training module in February following the Surrey Fire model.
  4. New Rescue, Quint and Engine ordered from Smeal.

Colwood

  1. 9 members attending High Rise presentation.
  2. Live Fire 2 booked for members.
  3. 4 to 6 new recruits in a couple of months.
  4. Automatic aid with View Royal going well.

Qualicum Beach

  1. Currently in the process of restructuring the officers.
  2. ICS 200/300 slated for February.
  3. Automatic aid with Parksville and Coombs now in effect.

Coombs

  1. Officer development ongoing.

Port Alberni

  1. Updating pre fire plans.
  2. Currently reviewing regional approach to water shuttle operations.

Salt Spring

  1. 14 recruits just finished their probationary term.
  2. 8 new recruits starting this evening.
  3. Regional training session organized for July.
  4. 3 members attending Haz-Mat Operations course.

Central Saanich

  1. 1st responder certification and re-certification ongoing.
  2. 5 new recruits started.
  3. Dispatch services through Saanich Fire going well.

North Saanich

  1. 9 new recruits finished training at end of May.
  2. Hosting a RIT course sometime this spring.
  3. Live Fire 1, 2 and 3 booked.
  4. New Rescue truck with CAFS system has been ordered.

View Royal

  1. 6 new recruits starting.

Sidney

  1. Live Fire 1, 2 and 3 booked.
  2. S.T.A.R.T. training for 4 firefighters in April.
  3. 10 members attending the High Rise presentation.
  4. Fire service study should be completed shortly.
  5. Tenders for new engine are in. Report and recommendation to be presented at next council meeting.

On motion the meeting was adjourned at 11:55 hours.

Next Meeting: Tuesday March 10th at View Royal Fire Hall.  (1000 hours)