ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: September 3, 2002
Author/Local: W. Ferguson/

665-6054

RTS NO. 02930

CC File No. 3651/3759

Council: October 1, 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 Department's two Hazardous Material Response Teams to provide a response to Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear incidents at a cost of $267,200, on the condition that the net City cost be reduced to a maximum $66,750 by provision of Federal and Provincial financial support. Funding for the City's portion is to be provided from the 2003 Fire & Rescue Services Operating Budget and NNR's subject to 2003 Budget Review.

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) applicationfor Joint Emergency Preparedness Program (JEPP) Grants to fund the development of their capabilities, $327,00 in 1995 and $200,00 in 1998 .

Council approved the Fire & Rescue service application for a Joint Emergency Preparedness Program (JEPP) Grant to fund the purchase of specialized equipment for the Fire Department's two Hazardous Material Response Teams in 2002 for a $326,400 (JEPP) Grant to provide a response to Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear incidents. Funding of $241,681.15 has been received from the Federal Government for the 2002 JEPP application.

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. The Federal Government has 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, 2003 to purchase any needed equipment under this program, though there may be additional funding in future years. We have identified $267,200 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 $66,750 from the Fire Department budget with a recovery of $200,400 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 numerous 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 $267,200 worth of response equipment. Under the joint funding proposal the Fire Department would pay $66,250 and the Federal Government would provide $200,400 through a JEPP grant. For the 2002 JEPP Grant, purchases were completed by the March 31, 2002 deadline. On July 16, 2002 the City of Vancouver received a cheque for $241,681.15 as the Federal Government's 75% share of the purchases.

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 additional equipment needed to prepare our teams to respond to CBRN incidents.

FUNDING

The cost of the equipment requested is approximately $267,200. Under the terms of the JEPP grant the City purchases the total amount and applies for reimbursement of the Federal Government's share of $200,400 with a net cost to the City of $66,750 from Fire Department Operating funds, $26,750 from the Hazardous Material Response Budget and $40,000 as a first draw against the Fire Department's share of the New and Non-Recurring budget. Pre-approval of the JEPP Grant for 2002/2003 in the amount of $267,200 was received on August 12, 2002 with a purchase deadline of March 31, 2003.

CONCLUSION

Upgrading our equipment and the training of Fire & Rescue's 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 City's 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