Fire and Rescue Annual Report 2023
District of North Vancouver Fire & Rescue Services (DNVFRS) provides our community with essential emergency response, public education, and support services.
We are committed to protecting life, reducing property loss due to fire and promoting public safety through community education and outreach campaigns.
This report is a concise summary of our work and achievements in 2023.
Report Sections
Click on a tile to view a brief summary of the report section. If further interested, click the "read more" button to launch a detail page addressing the section.
Learn More About the DNVFRS
We are a mission-oriented emergency services agency focused on the safety of our community
We are a mission-oriented emergency services agency focused on the safety and well-being of our community.
Our members provide caring and compassionate fire, rescue, and emergency medical services to our citizens and visitors.
We deliver services through an integrated approach encompassing emergency response for fire, rescue, life safety and community risk reduction through public safety programs, including risk-based inspections, fire investigation, and public education.
Reducing Risk
A primary focus is mitigating the impacts of fire and reducing the number of fires that start in the first place
A primary focus is mitigating the impacts of fire and reducing the number of fires that start in the first place.
We pursue this goal by investigating fires to determine cause and origin and working with builders and developers to ensure that measures are in place to limit fire risk. We also regularly inspect commercial, industrial, and multi-family buildings to check for compliance with all fire codes and standards.
Fire Service Accreditation
We are proud to be one of nine formally accredited fire departments in Canada
In 2022, DNVFRS became formally accredited through the Commission on Fire Service Accreditation (CFAI).
Accredited agencies are often described as being community-focused and data-driven. They are well-organized, adequately equipped, and their teams are properly staffed and trained.
Responding to Incidents
Our highly trained firefighters respond to a wide range of incidents
Our highly trained firefighters respond to a wide range of incidents, including vehicle accidents, rescues, medical emergencies, and fires of all types — from structure blazes to fires in vehicles and boats.
Planning for Emergencies
Our fire department prepares to respond to all types of emergencies
Helping prepare for, respond to, and recover from major North Shore-wide emergencies is a priority for our fire department.
The comprehensive Major Emergency Operations Plan and Pandemic/Infectious Disease Plan are living documents that are continually updated to stay relevant and effective.
In the Community
DNVFRS takes great pride in the work we do to care for, connect with, and give back to our community
We are a community-based service and pride ourselves on being available to support residents, businesses and visitors to the District in emergency situations and beyond.
Being a part of the fabric of our community is important to us, and we prioritize it in our daily business.
Wildfire Preparedness
We enhance wildfire preparedness and readiness capabilities through programs, partnerships, training, and grants
The District has a significant area where our community meets the forest, which makes it especially vulnerable to wildfire damage.
DNVFRS enhances its wildfire preparedness and readiness capabilities through programs, partnerships, training, and grant and funding opportunities.
Training
The women and men of DNVFRS are our greatest asset, and we’re proud of the work they do every day to keep our community safe
We continually seek out and provide opportunities to attract and develop our staff.
To ensure we deliver the highest level of service that our community deserves, the DNVFRS provides comprehensive ongoing training to its members. In 2023, the DNVFRS training budget was $443,000, which allowed DNVFRS to provide 10,748 hours of specialized training to 141 firefighters.
Physical and Mental Wellness
Our five-year well-being plan supports staff to help ensure a positive and healthy workplace for all
Firefighters face significant occupational stress due to the nature of their work, which often involves responding to emergencies, witnessing traumatic events and dealing with life-threatening situations.
The DNVFRS Health and Wellness (H&W) Committee built a five-year well-being plan in support of staff to help ensure a positive and healthy workplace for all. We recognize the importance of having a strategy for an organized and proactive approach to injury prevention and rehabilitation and supporting the mental and physical well-being of all DNVFRS staff.
Financial Highlights
Our 2022 operating budget was $23,846,451.00
Our 2022 operating budget was $23,846,451.00
Fire rescue and operations accounted for the largest piece, at almost 62% of the total budget.
Looking Ahead to 2024
When looking to the future, we are paying close attention to the changes facing our community
We anticipate 2024 to be another year of change, innovation, engagement, and growth.
Our efforts continue to focus on ensuring that every citizen who calls 911 receives an effective response from our well-trained, well-equipped, and well-supported personnel. We continue to be committed to playing a leadership role within the BC Fire Service. Collaborating with regional and provincial partners and remaining actively engaged with new initiatives and best practices remain core to our approach.
