2008 Fire Master Plan - City of St. Catharines

FIRERESCUE4.24 Sta f f Ro l e s, Tr a i n i n g a n d CertificationThe current model to allocate duties to fire prevention inspectors is to assign fire response areas to eachinspector who will perform all fire prevention duties within their assigned district.All members of the fire prevention division will be assigned secondary divisional responsibilities based on rank,experience, training and succession planning. All Districts have been assigned based on historical work volume toensure that secondary work assignments with the larger time requirements are allocated to districts with theleast work volume.Currently the Senior Fire Inspector is responsible for plans review for building permit approval which requiresapproximately 35% of their time. One Fire Prevention Officer is assigned as our public education coordinatorwho is responsible for developing, coordinating and assigning all public education activities. This secondaryassignment takes approximately 50% of her time. The implementation of public education and the deliveryof all programs require approximately 10% of each inspector’s time.Other assigned secondary divisional duties that are being performed by prevention personnel that are currentlyunder review to ensure performance levels are clearly mandated include: Site Plan Review, Smoke Alarm Program,Pre-Plan Coordination, Data Collection Coordination and Divisional Documentation Coordination.This model requires highly skilled and qualified personnel capable of performing all assigned duties.Currently fire inspectors are required to complete the following qualifications during their first 3 to 4 years ofemployment in the fire prevention division:• Fire Prevention Officer Certification• Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator – NFPA 921• Building Code Certification• Plans examination course• Public Education Skills• All certifications are to be maintainedIt is the intention of the Fire Prevention Division to maintain this current model and rotate personnel within districtsevery 3 to 5 years. The only change in this model would be to move fire prevention personnel to offices located intheir district fire station offering a more community based service. This change will only happen with the upgradingof current fire stations.The knowledge, performance and skill requirements for this position have changed dramatically in the past few yearsand all new employees are required to be a graduate of an accredited college or university, have fire preventionrelated training and a high level of computer proficiency.4.25 Po l i c y a n d Pro c e d u r e Gu id eAll activities are being reviewed and a policy and procedures guide is being written for each activity to ensuredivisional conformity and functional adherence to identified responsibilities. The policy and procedures guideis expected to be completed for most activities by the end of 2009 and is currently being developed with theimplementation of any changes in processes and for all electronic processes.26ST. CATHARINES, FIRE SERVICES