Fire and Rescue Annual Report 2019
District of North Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services (DNVFRS) provides essential emergency, public education, and support services to our community.
We are committed to reducing life and property loss due to fire, and promoting public safety through fire education and awareness.
This report is a concise summary of our work and achievements in 2019.
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Learn more about the DNVFRS
We deliver services to the community through an integrated approach that encompasses response, outreach, and prevention.
The District of North Vancouver Fire & Rescue Services (DNVFRS) is a mission-oriented emergency services agency focused on the safety and well-being of our community.
Our members provide caring and compassionate emergency, fire, and rescue services to citizens and visitors. We deliver our services through an integrated approach that encompasses emergency response for fire, rescue, and life safety, as well as fire prevention and investigation.
Reducing risk
In 2019, we conducted 88 fire investigations, and completed 5,971 fire inspections and 122 fire safety plans.
Mitigating the impacts of fire — and reducing the number of fires that start in the first place — is a primary goal of DNVFRS.
We pursue this goal by investigating fires to understand where they started and what caused them, by working with builders and developers to ensure that measures are in place to limit fire risk, and by regularly inspecting commercial, industrial, and multi-family buildings to ensure they comply with fire codes and standards. In 2019, we conducted 88 fire investigations, and completed 5,971 fire inspections and 122 fire safety plans.
Responding to incidents
We responded to 4,443 incidents in 2019, either on our own, or as part of a tri-municipal effort.
Our firefighters are highly trained, experienced, and industry certified to fight fires of all types, from those in structures to fires in vehicles and boats.
In addition to fighting fires, our firefighters routinely respond to calls for medical assistance, rescues of all kinds, hazardous material concerns, requests for public assistance, and more. In all, we responded to 4,443 incidents in 2019, either on our own, or as part of a tri-municipal effort. Our average turnout time was 1 minute and 31 seconds, and our average response time was 5 minutes and 36 seconds.
Planning for emergencies
By developing a team and participating in exercises, our capacity to deal with major emergencies increased significantly.
Helping prepare for, respond to, and recover from major North Shore wide emergencies is a significant focus of our fire and rescue service.
From developing a team to help us strengthen our response to local natural hazards/emergencies and facilitate speedy community recovery, to participating in rigorous emergency preparedness exercises designed to recreate real-life emergencies, we significantly increased our capacity to deal with major emergencies.
In the community
We hosted 172 events and connected with over 10,000 people learn about fire safety and get to know our firefighters.
Serving in and caring for our community is our number one priority, and we take pride in the work we do for our residents and businesses.
Whether it’s teaching fire safety to children, helping our seniors plan and practice evacuation in an emergency, or demonstrating the tools and techniques we use daily to help keep everyone safe, we are always looking for opportunities to connect with people.
Throughout 2019 we offered a number of events aimed at increasing public awareness and safety.
Wildfire preparedness and response
Our wildfire preparedness and readiness capabilities are enhanced through training opportunities, programs, and partnerships.
Our wildfire preparedness and readiness capabilities are enhanced through annual training opportunities, programs, and partnerships, as well as grant and funding opportunities.
The District of North Vancouver has a significant amount of wildland urban interface — areas where our community meets the forest — which may be especially vulnerable to wildfire damage.
Team building
The women and men of DNVFRS are our greatest asset. We provided 9,392 hours of specialized training during 2019.
Building a diverse and inclusive team of dedicated professionals, helping them develop in their roles, and caring for their well-being, is our ultimate concern.
In 2019, we had a training budget of $399,768, which allowed us to provide 9,392 hours of specialized training to 126 men and women.
Financial highlights
Our operating budget for 2019 was $21,220,723.
Our operating budget for 2019 was $21,220,723.
Fire rescue and operations accounted for the largest piece, at 63% of the total budget.
Looking to 2020
In 2020, our focus will be on continuing to develop a strategic plan for the organization that will guide our decisions.
While we had many successes and made much progress during 2019, we continue to look for more opportunities to improve the tools and strategies we use to care for our community.
In 2020, our focus will be on continuing to develop a strategic plan for the organization that will guide our decisions — from budget considerations to recruitment to public engagement — for the coming years.