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PORT COQUITLAM FIRE DEPARTMENT
MEMO
November 3, 1992
TO: Gord Voncina
Operations Manager

FROM: Jon Baillie
Fire Chief

SUBJECT: SEWER ALARM SYSTEM

The problems our Departments are having stem from some very basic changes in the operation
of the Fire Department. Simply put, there will be a greatly increased number of occasions
when Fire Department Personnel will not be available to notify your Department that alarms
are activated.

During my tenure, rules have changed. for example, Officers now must be present, outside at
all drills. Company Inspections have been increased from less than 100 to over 1600.

New programs such as map checking and hydrant verification keep perscnnei out of the halls.
Fires and medical emergencies are becoming more numerous and protracted in nature. The
changes I have made will mean that the #1 Fire Hall will be empty for 2-3 hours most morning
and afternoons.

As late as yesterday, the alarm system activated for over 30 minutes. My Secretary was alone
in the building. She first called your office, Steve Brown's office and Blaine Anderson's
office. She did not receive an answer at any of your offices and the alarms continued. Later,
she got through to Steve Brown and he informed her that someone would be over. In the
meantime the electrician from Standard Electric just so happened to be passing by and he
silenced it. Another alarm went off and there again my Secretary tried to call yourself, your
Secretary, Steve Brown and Blaine Anderson and never made contact with anyone. At that
time our Office Assistant arrived at the office and silenced it.

Mr. Zahynacz and I have discussed an automatic calling system for sewer alarms. It is
becoming apparent that such a system should be installed before a flooding situation puts the
City in a liability situation. .

Signed,

Jon L. Baillie
Fire Chief .
Port Coquitlam Fire Department

JLB/cl