HomeMy WebLinkAboutFire & Emergency Services Committee Minutes - May 2, 2024 Cape Breton Regional Municipality
Fire and Emergency Services Committee Meeting Minutes
May 2, 2024
10:00 a.m. at City Hall Council Chambers
Committee
Deputy Mayor James Edwards, Chair
Councillor Gordon MacDonald
Councillor Glenn Paruch, Vice-Chair
Councillor Steve Parsons
Councillor Darren O'Quinn
Staff
Mark Bettens, Fire Chief/Director of Fire and Emergency Services
Chris March, Deputy Fire Chief
Marie Walsh, Chief Administrative Officer
Christa Dicks, Municipal Clerk
Bruce MacDonald, Manager of Emergency Management
Craig MacNeil, Deputy Fire Chief
Krista Dove, Fire and Emergency Services Administrative Assistant
Sharon MacSween, Senior Administrative Assistant
Kelly McDonald, Recording Secretary
The following does not represent a word for word record of the proceedings
of this meeting. The agenda, reports, supporting documents, information
items circulated, and video (if available) are online at verw.v..fir_„_c_b_rrr�..,..n_s c.. ..
Fire and Emergency Services Committee Meeting - Minutes
May 2, 2024 Approved on March 4, 2025 Page 2 of 5
Deputy Mayor James Edwards called the meeting to order.
Land Acknowledgement
Roll Call
Moment of Silence - Recognition of Service
1. Approval of Agenda
Motion
Moved by Councillor Paruch, seconded by Councillor Gordon MacDonald, to
approve the May 2, 2024, fire and emergency services committee agenda as
presented.
Motion Carried
2. Approval of Minutes
Motion
Moved by Councillor O'Quinn, seconded by Councillor Parsons, to approve the
Fire and Emergency Services Committee minutes from:
➢ January 31, 2024
Motion Carried
3. Reports
3.1 Cape Breton Regional Fire Chiefs' Association Report
Rod Beresford, Chair of the Fire Chiefs' Association, approached the podium
for discussion on the report included in the agenda package. Discussion took
place regarding the reallocation of the HazMat resources, policies, and
response times. The following motions were then put forward:
Fire and Emergency Services Committee Meeting - Minutes
May 2, 2024 Approved on March 4, 2025 Page 3 of 5
Motion
Moved by Councillor Parsons, seconded by Councillor Gordon MacDonald, to
direct CBRM Legal Department to review the proper protocol procedures and
to propose a policy indicating when CBRM Fire and Emergency Services
makes significant decisions to involve the Fire and Emergency Services
Committee as to the process and transition of the decisions.
Motion Carried
Motion
Moved by Councillor Paruch, seconded by Councillor Parsons, to recommend
to CBRM Council to form a joint review committee between Fire and
Emergency Services and the Cape Breton Regional Fire Chiefs' Association,
with two members from the Fire and Emergency Services Committee and
one member from CBRM Council, to work collaboratively for efficiencies and
to sustain vibrant fire services throughout CBRM.
Motion Carried
Motion
Moved by Councillor Parsons, seconded by Councillor Gordon MacDonald, to
recommend to CBRM Council to form a joint review committee between Fire
and Emergency Services and the Cape Breton Regional Fire Chiefs'
Association, with two members from the Fire and Emergency Services
Committee and one member from CBRM Council, to work collaboratively on
recruitment and retention to sustain vibrant fire services throughout CBRM.
Motion Carried
3.2 Director of Fire and Emergency Services Report
Mark Bettens, Fire Chief/Director of Fire & Emergency Services, presented
the report included in the agenda package.
For Information Only
Fire and Emergency Services Committee Meeting - Minutes
May 2, 2024 Approved on March 4, 2025 Page 4 of 5
3.3 Operations, Sydney Fire Department and Public
Information Officer
Chris March, Deputy Fire Chief, presented the report included in the agenda
package. Discussion took place and the following motion was then put
forward:
Motion
Moved by Councillor Parsons, seconded by Councillor Gordon MacDonald, to
direct CBRM staff to provide an issue paper to study the use of polygraph
procedures regarding fire services applications on whether the polygraph
examination should continue or not continue to be a part of the application
process.
Motion Carried
3.4 Volunteer Coordinator, Training, Prevention, & Fleet
Craig MacNeil, Deputy Fire Chief, presented the report included in the
agenda package.
For Information Only
3.5 Manager of Emergency Management
Bruce MacDonald, Manager of Emergency Management, reviewed the report
included in the agenda package.
For Information Only
Christa Dicks, Municipal Clerk, noted the following action items:
• Provide an update on the student experience in Fire Departments at
next FES Committee meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 12:24 p.m.
Fire and Emergency Services Committee Meeting - Minutes
May 2, 2024 Approved on March 4, 2025 Page 5 of 5
Cecil P. Clarke
Mayor
Christa Dicks
Municipal Clerk
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