September 24, 1998
To:Corporate Services Committee
From:Commissioner, Corporate Services Department
Subject:Feasibility of Exemptions from Fees for False Fire Alarms for
City Departments, Agencies, Boards and Commissions
Purpose:
To review the incidences of false alarms for City-owned buildings and to provide the
appropriate recommendations.
Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
In the report of April 16, 1998, the Fire Chief estimated that income generated from these fees
would be between $500,000.00 to $700,000.00 with a declining annual income as the
proposed program proved to be effective in reducing false fire alarms.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
- the Commissioner of Corporate Services bring forth a report before year end reporting on
the incidences of false alarms in city-owned buildings and recommend the appropriate
actions to be taken to reduce the number of calls to City-owned buildings.
Council Reference/Background/History:
On April 16, 1998, City Council adopted the By-law to establish a fee structure for fire
prevention. At that time, it was recommended that the Fire Chief, in consultation with the
Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services, submit a report on whether
exemptions to false alarm fees should be made for any of the City's Departments, Agencies,
Boards and Commissions (especially the City's Homes for the Aged, Hostels and Housing
programs), and that additionally the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood
Services be requested to make recommendations regarding problems of false fire alarms
within buildings operated by the Metro Toronto Housing Authority.
City Council on July 8, 9 and 10 adopted Clause No. 4 contained in Report No. 6 of the
Emergency and Protective Services Committee, headed "Feasibility of Exemptions from Fees
from Fire Alarms for City Departments, Agencies, Boards and Commissions". The adoption
of the report from the Fire Chief and the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood
Services was subject to Recommendation No. (2) contained therein being amended to read as
follows:
- the Corporate Services Committee also become involved in this process and work with the
Fire Chief and the Commissioner of Corporate Services to reduce the number of calls to
City-owned buildings.
Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:
The Report adopted by City Council on July 8, 9 and 10 referred to facilities from the
Community and Neighbourhood Services Department. The divisions most affected provide
accommodations, whether on an emergency or a permanent basis: Homes for the Aged, Hostel
Services, Metro Toronto Housing Company Ltd. (MTHCL), and City Home. The report did
not address incidences of false alarms in other city-owned buildings. The recommendations
arising from the report asked that the Corporate Services Committee, through the offices of
the Commissioner of Corporate Services become involved in this process and work with the
Fire Chief to reduce the number of calls to City-owned buildings.
Staff from the Facilities and Real Estate Division will be meeting with their various corporate
client groups as well as the Fire Chief to identify the incidences of false alarms in their
facilities. A plan of action will be developed and discussed with the Fire Chief for a phased-in
implementation program to reduce the incidences of false alarm calls.
Conclusions:
The report as adopted by City Council suggested that the Fire Department, Community and
Neighbourhood Services Department and Corporate Services Department work together to
develop and place on file with the Fire Chief an implementation plan for a phase-in during
1998 of the by-law in certain City operated sites which have a high rate of false alarms due to
the vulnerable nature of their residents. Through the Commissioner of Corporate Services, a
report on the incidences of false alarms in City-owned buildings and appropriate
recommendations will be brought forth to this Committee for information and action before
year end.
Contact Name and Telephone Number:
Han Kwan
Manager
Facilities Planning and Accommodation Services
Tel: 392-8449, Fax: 397-0825
Margaret Rodrigues
Commissioner, Corporate Services
