ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: February 27, 2002
Author/Local: W. Ferguson/

665-6054

RTS NO. 02575

CC File No. 3602

Council: March 12, 2002

TO:	Vancouver City Council
FROM:	General Manager/Fire Chief VFRS
SUBJECT:	Development of Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) response capability

RECOMMENDATION

THAT Council approve the purchase of specialized equipment for the Fire Departments two Hazardous Material Response Teams to provide a response to Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear incidents at a cost of $326,400 on the condition that the net City cost be reduced to a maximum $81,600 by provision of Federal and Provincial financial support. Funding for the City's portion to be provided from the 2002 Fire & Rescue Services Operating Budget and NNR's.

GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS

The City Manager RECOMMENDS approval of the foregoing.

COUNCIL POLICY

In 1982 Council approved the Development of a Hazardous Material Spill Response Team. In 1995 Council approved the development of a second Hazardous Material Response Team to be assigned to and paid for by the University of B.C.

Council approved the Heavy Urban Search and Rescue Team (HUSAR) application for Joint Emergency Preparedness Program (JEPP) Grants to fund the development of their capabilities, $327,00 in 1995 and $200,00 in 1998 .

SUMMARY

Since the terrorist attacks in New York and the continued use by terrorists of Biological and Chemical agents, the government of Canada has recognized the need to develop and equip response teams in Cities that could be terrorist targets. They have provided funding to upgrade the equipment and training of Hazardous Material Response teams across the country. This funding is based on a 75% contribution from the Federal government and a 25% contribution from the Fire or Police Departments. There is a deadline of March 31, 2002 to purchase any needed equipment under this program, though there may be additional funding next year. We have identified $326,400 in equipment and supplies needed to bring our two Hazardous Material Response Teams up to an effective standard. If full funding is authorized, it would involve a net amount of $81,600 from the Fire Department budget with a recovery of $244,800 from the Federal government.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this report is to seek Council's approval to participate with the Federal Government in the JEPP grant program to purchase CBRN incident response equipment for the two Hazardous Material Response Teams.

BACKGROUND

On September 11, 2001 terrorists attacked the World Trade Center in New York destroying both towers. Since that date continued use, by terrorists and others, of Biological and Chemical agents has resulted in the Government of Canada recognizing the need to develop and equip response teams in Canada. Since September 11, 2001 Vancouver Fire & Rescue Service's Hazardous Material Response Teams have attended 9 Chemical, and biological, incidents. While our teams are equipped for Hazardous Material spills, CBRN incidents require more effective chemical suits and a wide variety of additional specialized equipment. The Federal Government of Canada, through the JEPP grants, has offered to pay 75% of the cost of the needed equipment with Cities paying the remaining 25%. The Fire Department has requested that the JEPP grant apply to $326,400 worth of response equipment. Under the joint funding proposal the Fire Department would pay $81,600 and the Federal Government would provide $244,800 through a JEPP grant.

DISCUSSION

Development and equipping of our two Hazardous Material Teams has taken place over the last 20 years. These teams have been trained and equipped to deal with the normal chemical spills which occur in a major city. No one expected that terrorists using Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear material would be a threat in Canada. The purchase of specialized equipment and providing additional training for staff will enhance our ability to deal with CBRN incidents. With the decision by the Federal Government to fund this equipment through the JEPP program we have prepared a list of the minimum equipmentneeded to prepare our teams to respond to CBRN incidents.

FUNDING

The cost of the equipment requested is approximately $326,400. Under the terms of the JEPP grant the City purchases the total amount and applies for reimbursement of the Federal Government's share of $244,800 with a net cost to the City of $81,600 from Fire Department Operating funds, $41,000 from the Hazardous Material Response Budget and $40,600 as a first draw against the Fire Department's share of the New and Non-Recurring budget.

CONCLUSION

Upgrading our equipment and the training of our staff is a high priority which will allow them to operate effectively and safely in the event of a Chemical, Biological, Radiological or Nuclear Incident. The Cities participation with the Federal Government in the joint funding of this emergency response equipment will enhance our ability to respond to CBRN incidents in the City of Vancouver.

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver