HomeMy WebLinkAboutFire and Emergency Services Minutes - June 21, 2023 Cape Breton Regional Municipality
Fire & Emergency Services Committee
Wednesday,
June 21, 2023
10:00 a.m.
Council Chambers
2nd Floor, City Hall
320 Esplanade Sydney, NS
Deputy Mayor James Edwards called the meeting to order.
Present: Deputy Mayor James Edwards, Chair
Councillor Gordon MacDonald
Councillor Steve Parsons
Councillor Darren O'Quinn
Staff. Chief Michael Seth, Director of Fire & Emergency Services
Deborah Campbell Ryan, Municipal Clerk
Deputy Fire Chief Chris March, Operations
Deputy Fire Chief Craig MacNeil, Support Services
Bruce MacDonald, Manager of Emergency Management Operations
Kelly McDonald, Clerk's Department
Sharon MacSween, Recording Secretary
Absent: Councillor Glenn Paruch, Vice-Chair (Regrets)
Fire & Emergency Services Committee Minutes
June 21, 2023 Approved January 31, 2024 Page 2 of 6
Summary of Decisions
Land Acknowledgment
Roll Call
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Motion to approve the June 21, 2023, Fire & Emergency Services Agenda and Addendum as
presented. Carried.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Motion to approve Minutes from:
➢ Fire & Emergency Services Committee March 8, 2023.
Carried.
3. REPORTS:
3.1 Fire Chief/Director of Fire & Emergency Services Report:
The Fire Chief/Director of Fire & Emergency Services Report was presented.
3.2 Operations, Sydney Fire Department & Public Information Officer:
The Deputy Chief presented the report.
3.3 Volunteer Coordinator, Training, Prevention, & Fleet:
Motion to direct Fire Services, Human Resource Department, and Chief Administrative
Officer to prepare an Issue Paper reviewing the existing policy as it relates to CBRM
employees who are also volunteering in our community Volunteer Fire Departments; and to
include the concept of time off with pay in the event of natural disasters in CBRM that the
volunteers have to assist with. Carried.
3.4 Manager of Emergency Management:
The Manager of Emergency Management Presented the Report.
Continued...
Fire & Emergency Services Committee Minutes
June 21, 2021 Approved January 31, 2024 Page 3 of 6
REPORTS (Cont'd):
3.5 Cape Breton Regional Fire Chiefs' Association Report:
Rod Beresford, Volunteer Fire Chief Presented the Report.
Addendum:
Councillor Gordon MacDonald reviewed the Councillor Agenda Request Form dated
November 10, 2021 that was circulated earlier in the meeting.
Point of Order
A Point of Order was raised after the Chief walked out of the meeting due to the questions
being asked and requested that the walkout be challenged by the CAO.
Adiournment
Fire & Emergency Services Committee Minutes
June 21, 2023 Approved January 31, 2024 Page 4 of 6
Land Acknowledgment
National Indigenous Peoples Day
Roll Call
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Motion:
Moved by Councillor Parsons, seconded by Councillor O'Quinn, to approve the June 21, 2023,
Fire & Emergency Services Committee Agenda and Addendum as presented.
Discussion:
Staff and committee discussed the agenda request process. Councillor Gordon MacDonald
requested to have recruitment and retention of volunteers added to the agenda, which was agreed
upon the committee.
Motion Carried.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Motion:
Moved by Councillor Parsons, seconded by Councillor Gordon MacDonald, approval of the
Minutes from:
➢ Fire & Emergency Services Committee—March 8, 2023.
Motion Carried.
3. REPORTS:
3.1 Fire Chief/Director of Fire & Emergency Services Report:
Fire Chief Michael Seth reviewed the Fire Chief/Director of Fire & Emergency Services Report
included in the agenda package. Discussion between staff and committee on the report included
the importance of finding solutions for areas that have only one way in and one way out, for
example Gabarus.
For Information Only.
3.2 Operations, Sydney Fire Department & Public Information Officer:
Deputy Chief March presented his report included in the agenda package. Discussion between
staff and committee on the report included vacancy qualifications, fencing around Station 1 Fire
Department, hiring policies, and recruitment. Councillor Gordon MacDonald also commended
the Cape Breton Regional Fire Services for assisting with the wildfires outside of CBRM.
Continued...
CBRM Fire & Emergency Services Committee Minutes
June 21, 2023 Approved January 31, 2024 Page 5 of 6
REPORTS (Cont'd):
3.3 Volunteer Coordinator, Training, Prevention, & Fleet:
Craig MacNeil, Deputy Fire Chief presented the Volunteer Coordinator, Training, Prevention &
Fleet Report. The following motion was then put forward:
Motion:
Moved by Councillor Parsons, seconded by Councillor Gordon MacDonald, to direct Fire
Services, Human Resource Department, and Chief Administrative Officer to prepare an Issue
Paper reviewing the existing policy as it relates to CBRM employees who are also volunteering in
our community Volunteer Fire Departments; and to include the concept of time off with pay in the
event of natural disasters in CBRM that the volunteers have to assist with.
Motion Carried.
The Committee Recessed at 11:11 a.m. and reconvened at 11:33 a.m.
3.4 Manager of Emer2ency Management:
Bruce MacDonald, Manager of Emergency Management presented the Report that was included
in the agenda package.
Following the Report, Committee Members discussed:
• Being proactive in helping the community
• Facility in the North End of Sydney
Comfort centres and funding applications
• Emergency preparedness session
For information only.
3.5 Cape Breton Regional Fire Chiefs' Association Report:
Rod Beresford,Volunteer Fire Chief,presented the report that was included in the agenda package.
Discussion between the committee and staff included coordinating an awards night for volunteer
firefighters, budget, and insurance policies.
For information only.
CBRM Fire & Emergency Services Committee Minutes
June 21, 2023 Approved January 31, 2024 Page 6 of 6
Addendum:
Councillor Gordon MacDonald reviewed the Councillor Agenda Request Form dated November
10, 2021 that was circulated earlier in the meeting. A disagreement occurred between Councillor
Gordon MacDonald, Chief Seth, and Deputy Chief March regarding whether or not the Issue Paper
reflected the request of the Councillor Agenda Request Form.
Chief Seth and Deputy Chief March left the meeting at 12:20 p.m.
Point of Order
Councillor Parsons raised a Point of Order after the Chief walked out of the meeting due to the
questions being asked and requested that this be challenged by the CAO.
Adiournment at 12:23 p.m.
Deputy Mayor James Edwards Christa Dicks
/SIM Municipal Clerk