Fall General Meeting Canadian Institute of Public
Health Inspectors Sept. 25-26 Fall General Meeting
Wayne Brown Team Leader Coordinated Safety Response Team
Why… Tackle a safety issue that is creating high risk
or is long standing Gain leverage through
Optimum utilization of physical resources Bylaws, Regulations, Legislation
Opportunity to create synergy for other unidentified safety issues or methods of dealing with them
“If you’re not on the edge you’re taking up too much room” Think “outside the box” and “inside the box” Apply Bylaws, Regulations, Legislation to the
maximum Formalize the “Team”, have regular meetings,
ensure sustainability Work cohesively with your partners to ensure
“WE” all meet our goals
History and… Member of the Joint Forces Arson Unit CFD Fire Marshal
Formation of Public Safety Response Team (PSTF), Safe Housing Inspection Program (SHIP), Safe Industrial Inspection Program.
Formation of the BOMA – High Rise Safety Committee
City of Calgary – CSRT and SRU
DBA - SRU CPS
Bylaw Services SCAN
Green Team South
AHS
Issue
Community Standards Bylaw
Safety Codes Act
Public Health Act
Criminal Code
MGA
Criminal Code
MGA
MGO’s Unsafe/Derelict
CSRT model… LEGISLATION
SCAN Act (2008)
Formation of CSRT Building Regulations – deployment of
dedicated resources (Safety Response Unit) Determining agencies First CSRT meetings
Establishment of issues Discuss Strategies
Determining Team Members…
Alberta Health Services Calgary Police Service ALERT – Green Team South City of Calgary – Animal & Bylaw Services City of Calgary – Safety Response Unit (Building
Regulations)
ALERT – Safer Communities & Neighborhoods
Terms of Reference Mandate: CSRT will:
Provide a coordinated approach to identifying potentially unsafe conditions within Calgary and conduct comprehensive joint reviews, inspections and investigations of these sites.
Outline orders, charges, and recommendations based on legislation for owners and contractors of reviewed, inspected and/or investigated sites to ensure a minimum level of life safety and health is available to the citizens of Calgary.
Work collaboratively to mitigate the risk found on identified sites. Identify and advocate improvements and changes to applicable legislation.
• Fires in vacant buildings are more likely to have been intentionally set than other structure fires. • Forty-three percent of reported vacant building fires during this period were intentionally set, compared to 10% of structure fires overall. • Vacant buildings accounted for 25% of all intentionally set structure fires. • Vacant building fires pose a threat to firefighters. • During the ten-year period 1998-2007, a total of 15 firefighters were fatally injured at the scene of vacant structure fires. • On average, 4,500 firefighters were injured at vacant building fires annually during 2003-2006. • These account for 13% of the reported firefighter injuries incurred at structure fires per year during this period.
NFPA Report – Fires in Vacant Buildings
Fires In December of 2009, a fire in Citadel started in an
active MGO 5 homes burned to the ground No deaths, $3M damage City of Surrey estimates that an MGO is 24 times more
likely to catch fire than a typical home
Active MGO’s are unsafe
CSRT – dismantled MGOs
Dangers (Physical): • Negative Impacts including growth of mould on walls, floors and ceilings • The weakening of structural components and surfaces due to high humidity levels • Impaired air quality due to the presence of mould and chemical residues. • A large hole cored through the foundation wall that exposes the premises to penetration of water.
CSRT – dismantled MGOs
Dangers (Physical): • The continuing potential for poor air quality due to the presence of mould and chemical residues that will affect the health and safety of occupants. • Exposed electrical wiring creating the potential for electrical shock • The state of disarray of the premises and unsanitary conditions • Alterations to the mechanical system
CSRT – dismantled MGOs
Dangers (Situational): • Criminal activity after the “bust” • Vagrants use of structure • Entry by juveniles • Local criminals using house as base of operations • Increased call volumes for Police and Bylaw • Increased likelihood of a fire occurring • Increased likelihood of a fire fighter being injured • Decreased property values • Property sold “as is” and not remediated
Early Strategies Review of Current State (UPI information) Stakeholder meetings
Mortgage holders Property Mgmt Companies Remediators and Environmental consultants Insurance providers
CSRT mail-out (Jan. 2011)
CSRT Cover Letter
There were 140 letters sent to identified ownership
We knew that many would not be answered There were 83 replies True benefit was that it signaled the arrival of
CSRT and a change to process.
CSRT Cover Letter…
To: OWNER of ____________________________. Your property was used for the purpose of a marijuana grow operation and has therefore been dismantled by Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) Green Team South. Please carefully read the following information that has been prepared by: The Calgary Police Service, Alberta Health Services, City of Calgary Animal & Bylaw Services and the City of Calgary Building Regulations. These agencies are members of the newly formed Coordinated Safety Response Team (CSRT), a team dedicated to providing safe and liveable communities for the citizens of Calgary. Read each document thoroughly to ensure you completely understand the implications of the information presented. The City of Calgary SAFETY CODES OFFICER’S NOTICE outlines the specific requirements of your Environmental Restoration Permit. The intent of this information package is to make you aware of the safety risks you are posing to the community and to ensure that you remediate your property within a reasonable time. It is critically important that you act now by contacting the Coordinated Safety Response Team to begin the remediation process. Contact CSRT at: Phone: 403-268-1282 or 403-268-1037 Email: [email protected] Wayne Brown - Coordinator – CSRT DBA – Building Regulations City of Calgary
New Approach – Unsafe
Green Blitz launch point (Sept 27/11)
Fencing, securing, and placarding Use of the Municipal Government
Act (MGA) Order use
Address Date of Dismantlement Status MGA Order No.
104 Kincora Glen Rd NW 27-Sep-11 Placard and Fenced MGA2011-0032
68 Sherwood Cres NW 27-Sep-11 Placard and Fenced MGA2011-024
223 Citadel Peak Cr NW 27-Sep-11 Placard and Fenced MGA2011-027
218 Royal Birch Way NW 27-Sep-11 Placard and Fenced MGA2011-029
4320 53 ST NE 27-Sep-11 Placard and Fenced MGA2011-031
52 Castlebrook Pl NE 27-Sep-11 Placard and Fenced MGA2011-023
40 Bergen Cres NW 27-Sep-11 Placard and Fenced MGA2011-026
603 Auburn Heights SE 27-Sep-11 Placard and Fenced (September 29, 2011) MGA2011-030
70 Martha’s Meadow Dr NE 28-Sep-11 Placard and fenced MGA2011-022
186 Saddlemont Blvd NE 28-Sep-11 Placard and Fenced MGA2011-018
1968 Newbrighton Dr SE 28-Sep-11 Placard and Fenced MGA2011-036
2411 42 ST SE no NP 28-Sep-11 Not Fenced or Placard Outdoor grow No order required MGA2011-021
43 Coventry Lane NE 28-Sep-11 Placard and Fenced (October 7, 2011) MGA2011-020
571 Acadia Dr. SE 28-Sep-11 Not Fenced or Placard 8 plants no order required MGA2011-019
58 Saddleback Rd NE 28-Sep-11 fenced on 29th MGA2011-025
203 Deer Ridge Way SE 28-Sep-11 Placard and Fenced (fence provided by owner) MGA2011-037
1295 Northmount Dr NW 04-Oct-11 fenced and placard MGA2011-033
CSRT – Green Blitz activities
WHY??? • Protect the community • Raise awareness of the unsafe
nature of the property • Gain control of the site to
ensure: • no unauthorized entry • authorized remediation is
completed
CSRT – Signage
Process: • MGO dismantled • MGA Order prepared, copy
sent to owner and mortgage holder(s)
• MGA Order placed on site • Structure secured (entry doors
boarded), fenced, and signage placed.
• Cost placed on Tax Roll Early findings: • Community members call in
for information and to report activity
• 2 comments on the fence to date (unsightly)
• Owners are using the contact information
CSRT – Signage
CSR - Automated Response E-mail Notification - DO NOT REPLY
Activity: Email DBA Safety Unit - Close SR was created on Oct 06, 2011 10:32 AM. SR NUMBER: 11-00468901 SR TYPE: DBA - Grow Op Notice SR LOCATION: 1295 NORTHMOUNT DR NW, CALGARY, AB SR COMMENTS:
The details of the call are as below:
1. Is the call regarding "Do Not Enter" sign placed on location advising contact CSRT (Coordinated Safety Response Team) at 3-1-1? Yes
2. What is the nature of your concern? More information required
3. Type of Caller: OWNER or AGENT OF PROPERTY
4. Additional Information: Caller is the owner of this rental property. Caller is wondering what the next step is after this has been locked up
5. Caller has been told: CSRT will be notified by email with all the details of the incident.
---------------------------------------- Caller's Contact Details: Name: FARD, DJ Address: Phone #: 403-284-2061 Email:
Activity: Email DBA Safety Unit - Close SR Activity Assigned To: Review, Safety Response Activity Created Date: Oct 06, 2011 10:32 AM Activity Details: ------------- END OF MESSAGE - THANK YOU FROM 3-1-1--------------
3-1-1
Moving Forward… Continue with current strategies
Securing dismantled MGO’s MGA Order issuance Medical MGO joint safety inspections
Continue to engage stakeholders Bldg. Regs-SRU to add resources