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2015-2018

MANITOBA

PROVINCIALFIRE

PROTECTION

PLAN

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MESSAGE FROM THEFIRE COMMISSIONER

I am pleased to present the Manitoba Provincial FireProtection Plan. This four-year plan was compiled by adedicated group of stakeholders who share the commonvision of ensuring that municipalities and the ManitobaFire Service remain strong and well positioned tocollectively meet the challenges of the future.

Providing effective fire and emergency services is a keyresponsibility for all local authorities. The Office of theFire Commissioner has the primary responsibility to ensurethat local authorities and the Manitoba Fire Service aresupported in the development and strengtheningof their respective programs. We will ensure that the

Provincial mutual aid system remains strong and capableof responding effectively to emergency situations byworking together.

On behalf of the staff of the Office of the Fire Commissioner,I would like to take this opportunity to thank the ManitobaAssociation of Fire Chiefs, the Association of ManitobaMunicipalities and the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Servicefor their representation on the working group and theircontribution to this provincial plan.

The Manitoba Provincial Fire Protection Plan will beManitobas Playbook for the next four-years and will

advance the Manitoba Fire Service. A commitment fromall stakeholders is required to ensure that the goals andaction items identified are fully implemented.Sincerely,

David SchaferFire Commissioner

original signed by

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SUMMARYAs part of the Office of the Fire Commissioner (OFC)s ongoing commitment topublic safety, a Provincial Fire Protection Plan working group was formed to reviewchallenges facing the Manitoba Fire Service and municipalities. The working groupfound ways to ensure that the Manitoba Fire Service and the mutual aid system willcontinue to be ready to meet the future needs of municipalities and the public.

The working group first met in September 2012 and included delegates from theAssociation of Manitoba Municipalities, the Manitoba Association of Fire Chiefs,the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service and the OFC. Over the course of a year, themembers consulted stakeholder groups, mutual aid districts and fire departments.The working group reviewed the present and future service conditions, collecteddocuments currently used by provincial bodies and studied strategic plans fromother jurisdictions. In analyzing the data, the working group identified five goalsfor the Manitoba Provincial Fire Protection Plan:

The plan combines the shared vision and best practices of the various organizationsin the Manitoba Fire Service. This document sets out a four-year mandate guidedby specific goals that will help local authorities keep Manitobans safe.

Identify public expectations to ensure excellentcustomer service to stakeholders and clients.

Facilitate effective communication between thegovernment, local authorities, the Manitoba Fire Serviceand the public.

Strengthen partnerships and management and improvethe way fire services are organized.

Streamline service delivery to the public.

Promote recruitment and retention efforts byinvesting in employees and providing managementwith the tools to succeed.

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PROVINCIAL FIREPROTECTION PLAN WORKING

GROUP INTRODUCTION

1.

2.

3.4.

5.

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FIRE PROTECTION PLANPURPOSETo establish partnerships, tasks and measurable outcomes for success through which municipalitiesmay provide high-quality, efficient and consistent fire services to Manitobans.

SCOPEThe Manitoba Provincial Fire Protection Plan will be the main reference point for local governments,fire departments, the OFC and stakeholder groups in managing current operations and planning forthe future. It also establishes a network for assigning resources to projects, co-ordinating effortsand communicating ideas.

USEThe document outlines common goals and the steps needed to achieve them. Each stakeholder isexpected to complete the steps in a timely, co-operative way.

The working group will set priorities, co-ordinate the flow of resources, delegate staff to help meet

common goals and monitor progress. The groups major focus will be supervising the plan, adjustingthe plan as needed and providing updates about its progress to the stakeholders.

The goals and checklists of the plan will be updated at future planning meetings. The groupencourages active support from all stakeholders, including local governments and fire services.

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There must be consistencyin service delivery acrossdepartments and a widerange of fire service tasks.

2015 Produce a model of fireprotection bylawsdistributed for localgovernments to compare.

Create a fire protectionreference library for existingdocuments that may be usedby departments andlocal government.

AMM, OFC,MAFC

RATIONALETIMELINE ACTION ITEM FACILITATORS

Community planning needs

to include wider fire protectionconsiderations beyond firesuppression. Local governmentlaw needs to reflect serviceprovision within the region.

2015/2016 Integrate fire protection

considerations into all localgovernment activities, boardsand community planning.

AMM, OFC

The fire service is an all-hazardspublic service agency.Government and fire departmentleadership require commoncapability to manage andco-ordinate in all cases.

2016/2017 Identify and preplansignificant hazards.

MAFC, OFC

Local governments must be ina position to provide clearanswers to the public, includingdefinitive explanations of whatdepartments can and cannot do.

2017/2018 Publish expanded provincialfire statistics for use bystakeholders.

Select references(ex: standards, textbooks,and other documents) forfire departments to determinewhere gaps exist.

OFC

Working Group

Manitobans expect their local firedepartments to be well trained and

equipped to protect them from manytypes of hazards. Ensuring a matchbetween public expectations andmunicipal capabilities is crucial toensuring local authorities are ableto respond effectively to life safetyevents. This goal focuses onproviding tools and references thatmay be used at the local level.

GOAL 1IDENTIFY PUBLIC EXPECTATIONS

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Improved communicationand common understandingbetween stakeholders.

2015 Facilitate attendance atmeetings and alliedconferences by eachstakeholder group to promotecommunication and sharebest practices.

Encourage updates in eachothers stakeholder publications.

Ratify terms of reference forthe Working Group.

AMM, MAFC

Working Group

Working Group

RATIONALETIMELINE ACTION ITEM FACILITATORS

Ensuring information andupdates are widely availablewill facilitate sharing ofvaluable information.

2015/2016 Identify critical elementsneeded for fire protectionand emergency services.

Develop and introduce"Introduction to the FireService" seminar that providesreference and training materialsfor elected and administrativeofficials.

OFC

MESC, MAFC,AMM

Best practices can be

extended to other jurisdictionsto enhance the success of theentire fire service in Manitoba.

2016/2017 Model common reports from

fire departments to localgovernment that may be usedfor claims, training reports,inventory, proceduresand governance.

OFC, MAFC

Address concerns andcollectively determinenext steps.

2017/2018 Hold a Strategic Fire Planningconference where allstakeholders can review thestrategys progress.

Working Group

Improving communicationbetween the government,local authorities, theManitoba Fire Service andthe public can enhanceservices, limit duplicationand make better useof resources.

GOAL 2FACILITATE EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION

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Ensuring that Mission, Vision,and Values of fire departmentsare understood and practicedis essential. Education is keyto ensuring goals areunderstood and achieved.

2015 Update existing modelguidelines for creatingmunicipal and departmentprograms, including fireprevention and publiceducation.

Update existing modelguidelines for creatingdepartment and Mutual AidDistrict (MAD) training plans.

OFC, MAFC

MESC

RATIONALETIMELINE ACTION ITEM FACILITATORS

Ensuring the health andwelfare of responders is theprimary concern. MAD andregional view of servicescan increase the capabilityof teams and improveefficiency in dealing

with hazards.

2015/2016 Model Workplace Safety andHealth Safe Work procedures.

Model human resource policies.

Model available firedepartment policy documents,including capital andoperational budgets.

OFC, MAFC

AMM,Working Group

Working Group

Financial efficiency is requiredfor well-functioningdepartments. Plans, trackingand reporting proceduresmust be identifiedand followed.

2017/2018 Model common equipmentand purchasing references.

MAFC, AMM

Forming efficient partnershipsand good management are

essential to safe operations.A well co-ordinated fire servicecan increase resources andstrengthen public safety forManitobans.

GOAL 3STRENGTHEN PARTNERSHIPS AND MANAGEMENT

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Operating guidelines (OGs) arepredetermined processes andshould be consistent acrossjurisdictions. Few departmentshave published OGs and this isan important area of opportunity.

2015 Model operating guidelines. MAFC, OFC

RATIONALETIMELINE ACTION ITEM FACILITATORS

Enforcing best practices will

increase transparency andaccountability and providea measurable way togauge success.

2015/2016 Review fire protection

and MAD agreements.

Ensure common reportingand recordkeeping practices.

AMM, OFC

OFC, AMM

Ensuring the availability ofspecialized teams and resourceswill allow for resources to bedispatched to high-risk areas.

2016/2017 Conduct an inventory/reviewof existing response capability

by specialized teams tominimize overlap.

Model best practices with

Fleet Maintenance andInfrastructure Plan toensure continuity.

OFC, MAFC

AMM

Having a reserve of incidentmanagement teams andspecialized support can providerobust command-and-controlstructures at large incidents.

2017/2018 Develop incident managementteams to support leadershipat a regional level.

Create procurement plansand stockpiles of strategicequipment.

OFC, MAFC;supportedby AMM

OFC

Better co-ordination and support

between jurisdictions will ensurenecessary resources are availableso departments can fulfill theirmandates. Streamlining tools,documents and procedures thatdepartments need will improveindividual department function aswell as multi-department sceneresponse.

GOAL 4STREAMLINE SERVICE DELIVERY

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Ensure that skills and knowledgefor Fire Officers is optimizedto meet departmental needs.

2015/16 Create and provide jobdescriptions for firedepartment staff.

Make the Rural CompanyOfficer and Fire OfficerLevel I courses availableto interested candidates.

MAFC, OFC

MESC

RATIONALETIMELINE ACTION ITEM FACILITATORS

Specific training for Fire Chiefsand Officers should be providedto support decision making atan incident. Succession planswill ensure business continuityand adequate staffing levels.

2016/17 Make the Fire Officer Level IIcourse available to interestedcandidates.

Adopt a model Fire Chief/Fire. Officer/Fire Fighter document

that outlines compensationand classification for positionsand work assignments.

Create a succession plan fromFire Fighter to Fire Chief.

MESC

MESC

MESC

Provincial and local governmentrequire tangible ways to recruitand retain quality staff.

2017/18 Develop a universal staffingand recruitment plan thatincludes both emergencyand non-emergency responsestaff (ex: a media campaign,recruitment brochures).

AMM

Equipping staff with currenttechnologies will help ensurethey are equipped to performjob functions at optimum levels.

2018/19 Ensure adequatecommunication andtechnology for management,training and response isavailable. Make investmentplans for purchasing, trainingand partnerships withsuppliers (ex: installinggeographic informationsystems in all emergencyvehicles).

AMM, MAFC,OFC

Providing leadership tools and investing inhigh-value employees is very important to

ensuring a high level of fire service qualityinto the future. Clear mandates and practicaltools will allow fire service leadership toretain valuable employees and build strong,sustainable teams.

GOAL 5PROMOTE RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION EFFORTS

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The Manitoba Provincial Fire Protection Plan provides direction for a proactivefire management program for the province. It will take commitment and dedicationfrom all of the stakeholders to fully achieve the strategy. Several aspects arecurrently underway, including:

fire officer programs collection of operating guidelines and reference documents partnership groups safe work procedures

Completion of the action items identified within this plan will support the continuedprofessional development of the Manitoba Fire Service and will ensure the longterm sustainability our provincial mutual aid system. This will ultimately ensure thatmunicipalities are well positioned to provide high-quality, efficient and consistentfire services to Manitobans.

CONCLUSION

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Office of the FireCommissioner

508 - 401 York AvenueWinnipeg, MB R3C 0P8Phone: 204-945-3322Fax: 204-948-2089Toll Free: 1-800-282-8069Email: firecomm@gov.mb.ca

Office of the FireCommissionerManitoba Emergency

Services College1601 Van Horne Avenue EastBrandon, MB R7A 7K2Phone 204-726-6855Fax: 204-726-6847Toll Free: 1-888-253-1488Email: firecomm@gov.mb.ca