Report No. FS-09-13, Fire Dispatch Services - Municipality Of ...

MUNICIPALITY OF THAMES CENTRE
FIRE SERVICES
REPORT NO. FS- 09- 13
TO:
Mayor and Members of Council
FROM: G. J. ( Greg) Borduas, CAO
Randy Kalan, Fire Chief
DATE: September 9, 2013
SUBJECT:
Thames Centre Fire Dispatch Services Update
RECOMMENDATION:
1. That Council receive the report for information;
2. That Council authorize the Chief Administrative Officer and Fire Chief to explore
options for the provision of Fire Dispatch Services for Thames Centre Fire and
Emergency Services including the County of Middlesex shared services option
and the issuance of a Request for Proposal ( RFP) for a Thames Centre Fire
Services local service option and report the service options to Council.
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this report is to update Council on options for Fire Dispatch Service for
the Thames Centre Fire and Emergency Services.
BACKGROUND:
A presentation was made to Middlesex County Council at its Regular Meeting on
Tuesday, April 23, 2013 on the current agreement between the City of London and the
County of Middlesex for the provision of Fire Dispatch Services to local municipal fire
departments in the County.
The County of Middlesex has for many years been a party to an agreement with the City
of London on behalf of local municipalities for the provision of Fire Dispatch Services as
an offshoot of mutual aid agreements. The local municipalities pay the cost of the
service through County tax levy ( assessment distribution). Strathroy-Caradoc employs a
separate fire and police dispatch service through their Municipal Police Department that
they pay for locally. The current total cost of the Fire Dispatch Services billed to the
County of Middlesex by the City of London and shared by the local municipalities
including Strathroy) through the County tax levy is $ 168, 013 annually.
Council at its June 17, 2013 passed the following resolution:
1. That the County of Middlesex Fire Dispatch Agreement Presentation dated April
23, 2013 be received for information; and
2. That the Municipality of Thames Centre maintains the status quo with respect to
Fire Dispatch Services provided by the City of London for 2014; and
3. That the Municipality of Thames Centre supports a comprehensive review of the
provision of fire dispatch services to Middlesex County municipalities for fiscal
year 2015.

Report No. FS- 09- 13
September 9, 2013
Page 2
COMMENTS:
The Fire Protection and Prevention Act clearly articulates that the provision of fire
services is a local municipal responsibility including Fire Dispatch Services.
Consequently, it is not within the jurisdiction of upper tier governments such as the
County of Middlesex.
The Municipality of Thames Centre and the other County of Middlesex municipalities
have been well served by the City of London for Fire Dispatch Services. The current
service delivery model provided by the City of London more than adequately meets the
local Fire Dispatch Service needs of the Thames Centre Fire Services.
The Thames Centre Fire and Emergency Services acknowledge that a review of future
options for the provision of Fire Dispatch Services should be undertaken on a regular
basis with local fire services partners. These considerations could include ( but not
limited to) alternative service providers, RFP ( request for proposal) issuance, equipment
compatibility, training and local geographic knowledge and computer software
interfaces.
CONSULTATION:
The Fire Chief has consulted with the Chief Administrative Officer, Senior Officers of the
Thames Centre Fire Services and local Fire Chiefs in Middlesex County.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The current annual cost of the Fire Dispatch Services to the County of Middlesex for
2013 is $ 168,013. The estimate for fiscal year 2014 is $ 219,804.
Prepared by:
Randy Kalan
Fire Chief
Revi
ed by:
Greg Borduas
Chief Administrative Officer