October 1, 1999

 To:East York Community Council

Etobicoke Community Council

North York Community Council

Scarborough Community Council

Toronto Community Council

York Community Council

From:Barry H. Gutteridge, Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services

Alan F. Speed, Fire Chief

Subject:Fire Services - KPMG Fire Station Location and Facilities Study

Supplemental Report # 2 of 3 - Risk and Insurance

Purpose:

This report provides City Council with a response from Toronto Fire Services (TFS) staff to a Councillor's request for additional information respecting recommendations contained within the KPMG Fire Station Location and Facilities Study report.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

There is no funding implications associated with the presentation of this report.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that City Council receive this report as information.

Council Background:

The following motion was moved by Councillor Fotinos, Chair of the Emergency and Protective Services Committee on behalf of Councillor Adams, at its meeting held on April 20, 1999.

"That the Fire Chief and General Manager, Ambulance Services, in consultation with local communities, Ward Councillors, and Risk Assessment experts, be requested to review and report on the increased costs to local businesses and residents as a result of reduced fire protection services."

Discussion:

This motion was moved to ensure that the level of fire protection service in the city of Toronto would not be reduced with the implementation of the recommendations contained within the KPMG report, and accordingly might lead to increased costs to businesses and residents in the affected areas.

KPMG's role in the Fire Services Station and Facilities Study was to act as prime contractor. Also participating in the study were representatives of four other business partners of KPMG, namely:

• The DuBois Plumb Partnership Architects
• Insurance Advisory Organization Commercial and Residential Risk Services
• Marshall Macklin Monaghan Engineers
• POMAX Incorporated

The Insurance Advisory Organization (IAO) also provides a service to insurers and municipalities by conducting a Fire Underwriters Survey which ascertains the degree of fire risk for clients. In this case, IAO has stated in a separate letter (please see attached) that there will not be any increased costs to local businesses and residents as a result of reduced fire protection services.

Furthermore, in a separate report of the same date to Council, the Fire Chief has recommended that the two fire stations that KPMG had recommended for closure in its report (stations T26 and T31) not be closed until such time that a suitable location can be found to construct two new fire stations nearby, and then at that time a total of four fire stations be closed - T26 and T12 in east Toronto, and T16 and T31 in west Toronto. The net effect of this recommendation is much the same that KPMG was recommending, i.e. close two stations. However the added benefit is that it allows for the re-alignment of the vehicle running areas thereby maximizing response times for the nearby communities, and additionally it allows Fire Services to close two more aging and high-maintenance fire stations.

Conclusions:

There will be no increased costs to local businesses and residents due to the implementation of the changes as proposed by the KPMG report and the Fire Chief's review.

Contact Name:

Norm GibbonsBob Crawford

Sr. Policy AdvisorChief, Emergency Planning/Research

397-4315397-4331

    Alan F. SpeedBarry H. Gutteridge, Commissioner

Fire ChiefWorks and Emergency Services

Attachment (Letter from I.A.O.)

Kpmg-supp-rep-2