MINUTES - PUBLIC - PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION - 1st meeting - March 14, 2024 - 5:05 p.m. to 8:21 p.m.

7. 2024-2025 Commission Work Plan

The Chair presented the main elements of the work plan, including the plan's files and objectives, while providing examples of the means planned for its implementation. She mentioned that during the presentation of the Commission's work plan to the plenary committee on March 12, some elected officials suggested adding the file on cybersecurity as well as the future police headquarters. She read the additions that were not in the version transmitted to members, which are described as follows:

File: Police infrastructure to meet operational police needs Objective: To analyze the needs regarding police infrastructure based on the decentralization (in several buildings) or centralization (in a single building) of police operations. Means:

1. Preliminary analysis by the administration based on normative and operational criteria, including the cost of renovating current buildings or constructing new buildings;
2. Recommendations to the City Council on a relevant choice to meet police infrastructure needs, regarding decentralization (i.e., renovating existing buildings) or centralization (i.e., constructing a new building).

She added that two other subjects will be addressed for information purposes and that these presentations will be made by external partners, such as:

• Guidelines on best practices regarding municipal cybersecurity;
• Sociological portrait of the firefighting profession in Quebec (reliable data on themes such as: the diversity of fire safety services, the diversity of interventions, training and the level of education of firefighters, the situation of dual employment for part-time firefighters, as well as the motivations leading to firefighters' commitment to their fellow citizens).

Members had no questions on the proposed 2024-2025 work plan.

The Commission recommends to the City Council:

CSP-2024-01

• To adopt the 2024-2025 work plan of the Public Safety Commission with the additions proposed by the Chair.

Proposed by Véronique Charron Seconded by Éric Pilotte Recommended unanimously

The revised version of the work plan will be transmitted to members.

8. Presentation: City of Gatineau Fire Prevention Bylaw

The presentation aimed to inform the Commission of the proposed amendments to the Règlement sur la prévention des incendies (Fire Prevention Bylaw, number 774-2015) following the analysis carried out by the Service de sécurité incendie (Fire Safety Service), and to obtain a recommendation. Context was provided regarding the obligations under the Loi sur la sécurité incendie (Fire Safety Act) to adopt minimum fire safety rules, as well as the revision work carried out by the Fire Safety Service.

In summary, members were briefed on current and desired requirements, as well as the objectives and reasons justifying the proposed changes regarding the following elements:

• Fire alarm system;
• Smoke detector;
• Temporary activities and events;
• Open-air and vegetation fires.

Success factors and next steps were also presented. Some expressed disagreement and concerns regarding the complete ban on open-air fires, as this proposal seems rather radical. It was suggested to explore other options, such as focusing on awareness to better educate people on the risks associated with open-air fires. It was added that this proposal will penalize those who comply with current regulations and that it risks creating confusion and causing reactions, considering that cities near Gatineau allow it. Furthermore, it was mentioned that the proposed ban does not seem to be supported by evidence. According to a summary search by a member, there do not seem to have been any brush fires in recent years. It was also suggested to list and be inspired by best practices that could be replicated in Gatineau and to reflect on ways to implement the existing regulations.

It was asked how the current regulation is applied for those who do not comply. It was answered that a notice of non-compliance is issued first with an explanation of the compliance required by the regulation. Then, if a 2nd visit takes place and non-compliance is maintained, a sanction is then given. It was added that this method will be maintained for the update of the new regulation. Some suggested issuing a sanction from the first visit of non-compliance, and others proposed focusing on information, awareness, and prevention for the first year and sanctioning starting the following year. In summary, members agreed that the implementation of an information and awareness campaign is essential to ensure understanding and compliance with the regulation. Members suggested maintaining the possibility of allowing bonfires during parties, festivals, or large-scale events with authorization. It was answered that the implementation of an awareness campaign is already planned with the Communications Department and that suggestions and reflection regarding the means and action proposals will have to take into account the available human resources. It was also asked which department will be responsible for complaints and what are the reasons motivating the complete ban. It was answered that the Fire Safety Service will be responsible for managing complaints and enforcing the regulation. It was added that the number of complaints is likely to decrease considerably because the complete ban avoids ambiguities.

In summary, the Service recommends completely banning open-air and vegetation fires to prevent brush and forest fires from spreading into residential neighborhoods. It was added that the current context related to climate change considerably increases the risks of facing this type of conflagration. The damage caused by the forest fires of summer 2023 was cited as an example.

Recommendations: Considering that the Schéma de couverture de risques en sécurité incendie 2023-2027 (2023-2027 Fire Safety Risk Coverage Plan) provides for the application and, if necessary, the modification of the various provisions of the Ministry of Public Safety's fire prevention regulations; Considering that it is essential to act to adapt to climate change in order to reduce the risks of fire that could cause conflagrations; Considering that the proposed amendments to the bylaw aim to improve fire safety in buildings on the territory of the City of Gatineau; Considering that the Gatineau Fire Safety Service has analyzed and proposed amendments to Règlement numéro 774-2015 sur la prévention des incendies:

The Public Safety Commission recommends to the City Council:

CSP-2024-02

• The adoption of the amendments to Règlement numéro 774-2015 as proposed by draft bylaw number 926-2024 on fire prevention, with the following modification regarding open-air and vegetation fires: o Complete ban on open-air and vegetation fires except for bonfires during a temporary event or activity by obtaining authorization from the Fire Safety Service.

CSP-2024-03

• The addition of the following measure: o Implement an information and awareness campaign.

Proposed by Jean-René D’Aoust Seconded by Éric Pilotte Adopted