Non-winterized fire vehicle plays role in fatal fire

By Sharon Weatherall

 

The following story brings attention to the need for more fire services funding in First Nation communities for not only appropriate and safe equipment, but for training. The concern about non-winterized trucks servicing Northern communities was picked by CBC radio after being published on the Anishinabek News web site earlier this year. There are some representatives in fire services who are bravely speaking up to make things better for First Nation communities across the board, while also hoping to lower the threat to lives of people who rely on those services.

   

If a fire truck had been ready and able to carry water to the scene, disaster may have been averted in a devastating fire that recently claimed four lives on Mishkeegogamang First Nation.

Certified Fire Protection Specialist Lawrence Laviolette says “there is a possibility that if the truck had been winterized lives could have been saved. According to the police response time for the vehicle was within five minutes.”

Unfortunately because the band’s 1000 litre truck is not stored in a heated garage it could not be left filled with water, as well part of the pump and intake line was frozen. Because of this insufficient water was available to suppress the fire – too little, too late.

“A thousand litres of water could have been the amount needed to save those people,” said Laviolette who acts as an advisor for First Nation’s on fire safety issues who request assistance.

“My heart goes out to the community and family, we must work towards stopping these tragedies from happening.”

The Mishkeegogamang fire truck was one of about 20 fire trucks funded by Aboriginal Affairs Northern Development Canada (AANDC) (formerly INAC) and purchased by Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation (OFNTSC) in 2009/2010. The vehicles were purchased in Florida from a company named DARCH and dropped off to recipient First Nation communities, some of which were asked by OFNTSC to ‘sign off’ on them.

Laviolette says the Mishkeegogamang fire truck is “below standards” and does not meet the requirements for Northern community climates. The majority of trucks purchased in 2010 were not equipped as winterized packages and were also missing equipment such as under decking below the pump, panel shelving in the compartments and heating systems to keep them charged with air/battery and most importantly an enclosed pump compartment with a properly designed heating system to keep them ready in cold weather.

According to Laviolette OFNTSC did not ensure before delivery that designated communities had a heated fire hall or building to store the new trucks with proper heating - in one case it was suggested heated traps be purchased to cover the apparatus’s. He is also concerned with the lack of training these communities received regarding operation of the trucks.

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1901 Manual Chapter 4 - General Requirements (4.3.2) stipulates ‘After acceptance of the fire apparatus, the purchaser shall be responsible for ongoing training of personnel to develop and maintain proficiency regarding the proper and safe use of the apparatus and the associated equipment.

In 2010 one community was handed a DVD when its truck was dropped off and the representative left without a follow-up. Laviolette was called by that community to give fire fighters some training. There were other communities that received trucks which didn’t even have a fire department or fire fighters.

 “All the Southern trucks delivered to the North are improperly designed for the cold weather climates,” said Laviolette, who has been in the fire service business for 40 years.

OFNTSC media department directed Anishinabek News over to the AANDC communication department for some answers since the funding for the trucks came from there initially.

In response to questions about how the communities were chosen to receive trucks and follow up training, Susan Bertrand Manager, Communications, Executive Services & Communications AANDC replied, “the OFNTSC works with Tribal Councils and First Nations to determine their firefighting needs and brings recommendations to AANDC Ontario Region. Acting on those recommendations, AANDC Ontario Region provides funding to the OFNTSC which then procures and purchases the equipment and services on the First Nations’ behalf.”

 

According to Bertrand there were storage criteria for communities receiving the trucks.  She said “it is important to note that AANDC required that First Nations chosen to receive the fire trucks confirm that each location had heated storage facilities”.

Kichenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation is a Northern community that received one of the trucks in question but due to lack of funding cannot use it during winter months.

“The truck is not fully equipped or modified for our region; it’s for a Southern community. Yesterday it was minus 51 here. For that reason we are not even taking it out - it remains parked through the winter,” said Chief Donny Morris.

“We have no other fire trucks in the community other than regular water trucks with a pump on them to try and soak a house on fire but they cannot spray. There is no fire department here just a fire prevention officer who trains volunteers.”

Ron Kyle, a mainstream professional firefighter for over 31 years is familiar with the issues facing First Nation communities that received trucks and had a personal opinion to express.

“No training has been done in the operation of these trucks - most do not have a winter package, and many other items that would make this vehicle ready to fight fires. These vehicles are very light duty and not fully equipped, as delivered, to work in this type of environment,” said Kyle who has been on apparatus purchasing and supply committees for several years on the 5^th largest fire department in North America and currently holds the rank of operations Captain.

“Some communities do not have a suitable heated facility to house them. Three of them were just dumped off with no instruction despite a glowing website saying how there was a close working relationship during initial assessments and four days of training for each community. One community had to spend close to $20,000 to properly equip their truck to fight fires. I wonder if they were even Transport Canada approved as there are no mud flaps or other items that are required for all other vehicles imported into Canada.”

Kyle also operates a company that helps third world countries by providing fire trucks, ambulances, firefighting equipment and supplies, training and medical and education equipment and supplies and has over 30 years experience in heavy transportation vehicles.

“I see this as a waste of millions of tax payer dollars with no accountability. There are lots of good used heavy duty custom made fire trucks available for a fraction of the cost of these NEW trucks that are broken down or not equipped for the Northern climate,” said Kyle.

Beausoleil First Nation (BFN) received one of the trucks lacking certain equipment and accessories to make it serviceable in winter. The fire department, Chief and Council dished out $30,000 - $15,000 just to upgrade to the trucks’ standard and another $15,000 to add all the equipment required certifying the truck properly to basic NFPA and Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC) standards.

“When BFN Fire Department asked for money to upgrade the truck Tech Services (OFNTSC) said the band had to use its own money. We received a letter at this time saying the value of the truck was $210,000,” said Fire Chief Allan Manitowabi wondering if the trucks were even tendered.

“We were fortunate to have had the funds to fix our truck – we had the support of our band to do the upgrades. Some First Nations took the trucks out of need. I worry about, and feel sorry for other communities that are having problems with trucks not built to meet the needs of the community and cannot afford to fix them.”

When Manitowabi contacted DARCH to order upgrades for the BFN truck it was explained to him the trucks were bought ‘as is’. Even with additional equipment and parts the island fire truck is now classified as a pumper/rescue - de-classified from a #1 pumper.

When it comes to whose responsibility it is to provide proper training and storage for the fire trucks so they would be operated safely and efficiently all year round Bertrand at AADNC reports that health and safety of all Canadians is a priority for her Government.

“That is why we provide considerable funding to First Nations to support operations and maintenance, fire protection infrastructure and fire protection training on reserve – through which First Nations manage fire protection training on reserve to meet the needs of their communities,” answered Bertrand.

 

For more information the First Nations Fire Protection Strategy is available online: http://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/eng/1317308114314/1317308317352.