Fire Department Establishment By-law No. 324 (Town of Iqaluit) — full text

This is an automated transcription (OCR) of the captured official document — minor recognition errors are possible; the source document governs. Snapshot 8f2bf48aca42 · verified 2026-06-04 · original document · archived snapshot · unofficial consolidation, the official version is held by the municipal clerk.

## THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF IQALUIT, NT BY-LAW NO. 324 Arolane sorter as rouled in a tom of all in d Northwest Territories. PURSUANT to the provisions of the Cities, Towns and Villages Act, S.N.W.I., 1987 (1), c.14, s.98, 99, 100, 101 and 102; NOWTHEREFORE, The Municipal Administrator of the Town of Igaluit enacts as follows: ## 1. SHORT TITLE This by-law may be cited as the Igaluit Fire Department Bylaw. ## 2. INTERPRETATION Pertaining to this By-law: "Chief" - means Chief of the Iqaluit Fire Department, appointed by the Town Council to be directly responsible for the operation of the Department. "Deputy-Chief" - means Deputy Chief of the Igaluit Fire the senior assistance to, and primary designate of, the Chief. In the absence of the Chief he/she acts as, and has the responsibilities and powers of, the Chief. "Department" - means the Igaluit Fire Department which is comprised dispatchers. firefighters, ambulance attendants and "Fire Department" - means the Department responsible for Fire Prevention, Fire Protection, Victim Extrication, and incident or scene where its personnel apparatus/equipment be beneficial amelioration of the situation. "Department Officer" - means an Officer who is a member of the Department holding the rank of Lieutenant, Captain, Deputy-Chief or Chief. "Designate of the Chief" - means the highest ranking Department officer present in the absence of the Chief. "Department Member" - means any person appointed to a position in the Department by the Chief. "Council" - means the Council of the Town of Igaluit. "Town Manager" - means the Senior Administrative Officer of the Town. "Airport Fire Chief" - means the Chief of the Ministry of Transport Crash Rescue Department of the Igaluit Airport. "Incident Commander" - means Department Officer who has assumed command of a specific emergency situation or fire. "Emergency Access Lane" - means any public route or area designated and posted by the Council that is to be kept free of parked vehicles or any other obstruction for the purpose allowing continuous, non-impeded access by Department vehicles and personnel. ## 3. "Ambulance Services" - means the provision of; a conveyance used, or intended to be used and which is equipped for the purpose of transporting injured, incapacitated a person or persons who is (are! attention transportation; and personnel N.W.T. vehicle operator's licence, a valid C.P.R. Basic Rescuer Certificate and at valid St. John's Ambulance Safety oriented First Aid Certificate, to operate said conveyance. "R.C.M.P." - means the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. "R.C.M.P. Officer" - means a Regular Member of Special Constable of the R.C.M.P. ## GENERAL PROVISION This By-law establishes the Iqaluit Fire Department which shall be responsible for Fire Prevention and Suppression, Rescue, Victim Extrication, response to incidents involving substances included in any of the classes listed under the Federal Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, Ambulance Services, and Dispatch Services for fire and ambulance personnel along with other emergency response ## 4. PERSONNEL REVIEW COMMITTEE This Committee is composed of the Department Officers whose to investigate and assess the relevant facts acceptability recruits, probationary recruits, and promotions of Department members make recommendations to the Chief these assessments. This Committee also acts as a Departmental Hearing Board regarding dismissal of members or officers by the Chief upon written request of the said dismissed member/officer. A quorum of the Committee is the Deputy-Chief and four other Officers, excluding the Chief. ## 5. ## DEPARTMENT OFFICERS The Department Officers shall consist of a Chief, DeputyOfficers necessary for the effective operation of the Department. - (a) The Chief shall be appointed by the Council on recommendation of the Town Manager; - The Deputy-Chief shall be appointed by Council on recommendation of the Chief and the Town Manager; and - (C) All other Department Officers shall be appointed by the Chief. Such Officers shall be accountable only to the Chief, and subject to removal by the Chief. written request, The shall be disaring by the Persited even me to review the charges brought by the Chief. ## 6. DEPARTMENT MEMBERSHIP The membership of the Department shall consist of persons as may be appointed by the Chief and shall abled-bodied citizens of Igaluit who meet the membership qualifications "Requirements of Membership Policy" Appendix "A". Any member of the Department may be suspended or discharged the Department by the Chief at any time he/she may deem such action On written request of such member to the Personnel Review Committee he/she shall be given a hearing to review the charges brought by the Chief. ## 7. EQUIPMENT AND APPARATUS - The Department shall be equipped with such apparatus and other equipment as may be required to maintain its capacity and efficiency to protect life and property. All equipment and apparatus of the Department shall be safely and conveniently housed. No person shall use any Department equipment for any private, corporate, permission from the Chief has been granted. demonstrated specific equipment being requested is not available anywhere unavailability to the Department will in no way endanger life or property. Recommendations apparatus equipment requirements shall be made by the Chief to the Town Manager, approval of Council shall be purchased in such manner as set forth by Council and the Town Manager. - (b) NO person shall without proper authorization from the Chief use, take away or conceal any equipment or article belonging to, or used in any way by, the Department. No person shall enter any place where Department apparatus or equipment is stored nor handle any apparatus or equipment belonging to the Department unless accompanied by, or having special permission of an authorized Officer of the Department. ## 8. OPERATIVE CLAUSES - (a) The Chief shall have full authority and command over all Department activities and operations. - (b) The Chief, or his/her designate, is empowered to authorize, or require, qualified, able-bodied adult residing or found within Town Limits to assist as directed in extinguishing or preventing the spread of fire, or to render aid of such type as he/she may be qualified to provide, as required, in emergency situations under the control of the Department. In addition the Chief, or his/her designate, is empowered to commandeer and use without permission any building or structure, equipment and/or supplies existing within the Town Limits as may be required in an emergency situation. - (c) property from fire or related hazards. inspection is not directly related to an existing or imminent emergency such inspections must be carried out during normal business hours and reasonable notice must be given. - (d) and/or members of the Department, under the directions of the Chief, necessary effectively neutralize emergency situations; including entering private property, adjoining or adjacent buildings limiting or curtaining access or structures, and to, or evacuation of specific areas. - (e) The Department shall have full responsibility for, and of, any building, structure or premises which have been involved in fire or similar emergency. remains in effect until such time that it has been declared Commander, investigations have been completed and it has been turned over to the owner, owner's representative or R.C.M.P. such buildings are under the control of the Department, no person, excluding Fire Department members, R.C.M.P. Officers and members of the Fire Marshal's Office, but including owners and representatives, said locations without permission from the Chief. If permission is person (s) Department Officer or R.C.M.P. Officer. In addition, nothing, including valuables, records or personal may be touched, or removed, by anyone R.C.M.P. Officers, Marshal's Office or Department members with authorization from the Chief. - The Chief, Deputy-Chief, all Department Officers Department Members, appointed by the Chief, for proper carrying-out of, but limited to, this By-law are ExOfficers, as per Section 172 of the Cities, Towns and Villages Act. - (9) Members of the Department including all Officers shall not be personally liable for any actions undertaken course of a fire or any other emergency By-law. If any action or proceeding of civil liability is brought against the or any other member of the Department for an committed by him/her performance of his/her duties, within or on behalf of lawyer's the Council shall pay any court costs, fees and all damages awarded against any such the Department. - (h) In the absense of the Chief, the Deputy-Chief, or the highest ranking Officer pre-designated by the Chief or Incident Commander, assumes the powers and responsibilities of the Chief. - Upon inspection of a building or premises the Chief may serve written notice upon the owner or occupant to correct, within a specified time, any and all fire or safety hazards that may have been found. person so served notice to correct any fire or related do so within the specified - It is an offence to hinder, obstruct or Department in the impede a performance of his/her duties. - (k) It is an offence to maliciously turn in, or cause to be turned in, a false alarm. - No person shall burn any garbage, goods or materials of any nature within the designated boundaries of the Town's jurisdiction unless he/she is authorized to do so by the Chief in writing of a Burning Permit. ## 9RIGHT OF WAY All Department vehicles which are properly identified and equipped with visual and audible warning devices shall have right-of-way over all other traffic when responding emergency with warning devices operating. ## 10. EXCEEDING SPEED LIMITS Department vehicles may exceed the posted speed limits when responding to an emergency with warning devices operating and if the weather and driving conditions permit. other pedestrian or vehicular traffic be endangered by responding emergency vehicles or personnel. Exceeding speed limits is permitted only when responding to an emergency. ## WARNING LIGHTS ## 11. The mounting use of flashing or rotating beacons with color combination of red and white is restricted to the Department. ## 12. OBSTRUCTION - (a) It is an offence to park any vehicle or otherwise cause an obstruction at the entrance to an emergency services/fire station or other place where Department vehicles are stored or parked, or within three (3) metres of a fire hydrant. Any such vehicle or obstruction may be caused to be moved by a Department Officer at the expense of the offender. - (b) It is an offence to follow with any type of vehicle within one hundred fifty (150) metres Department vehicle responding to an emergency with warning devices operating and/or park or operate a (90) metres of an emergency scene. Any vehicle which is causing an obstruction at any emergency scene may be caused to be moved by a Department Officer. removal damage done to the vehicle during its removal may be Legitimately parked before the emergency However, if the vehicle was parked or operated at the emergency offender assumes all costs for its removal and any damages which may occur. - (c) It is an offence to park a vehicle or otherwise cause an obstruction in a Emergency Access Lane designated and posted by the Council. In addition, the vehicle or obstruction may be removed by a Department Officer at the expense and liability of the Offender. - (a) Any violation of the most recent revision of the National Fire Code of Canada is an offence under this By-law. ## 13. DRIVING OVER FIRE HOSE It is an offence to drive any vehicle over a fire hose except if proper bridging is used or authorization has been given by a Department Officer. ## 14. OFFENCES AND PENALTIES - (a) Except as herein provided, any person who contravenes or disobeys' this By-law refuses provision of neglects to obey any is guilty of an offence and liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding $1000.00 for an individual corporation, $5000.00 for for or in default of payment, imprisonment a period not exceeding six months, as per section 187 of the Cities, Towns and Villages Act. - (b) The fine for a violation of this By-law shall be the - amount of $50.00, Ticket as as stated on the Summary Conviction the voluntary payment, or, of the amount in the discretion Justice. of the convicting Magistrate or - (c) Nothing in this section shall: - (1) - prevent any person concerned from exercising his/her right to defend any charge of committing a breach of this By-law, - (2) prevent any person entitled to do so from laying an information and complaint against any person - for committing a breach of this By-law, or, - (3) prevent any person from exercising any legal rights that such a person may have to lay an information and complaint against any other person (whether such person has made payment under the provisions of this By-law or not) for a breach of any provision of this By-law. ## 15. ENFORCEMENT - A Department person and/or violating, or has reasonable grounds believe that a person and/or corporation has violated, - any provision(s) Of this By-law, may: - (1) issue said person or corporation a verbal order immediate compliance, and in the event that non-compliance will pose an imminent threat to life safety has the authority to close a public place of business or any public building, and/or order the evacuation of persons until violation(s) have been rectified, and/or; said - (2) give the person or corporation written notice of intention to prosecute in the form of a ticket, - and/or; - (3) issue said person or corporation a written order Of compliance to rectify said violation(s) within a specified time period. From the date issuance of the order until the issuance of a written notice and acceptance of completion - from the authority having jurisdiction, the occupancy and use of the said building,. or part thereof may be restricted as order of compliance. In the event of non-compliance within the specified period said person or corporation is guilty of an offence under this By-law. ## 16. AIRPORT EMERGENCY/DISASTER OR STRUCTURAL FIRE In the event of an Aircraft Emergency/Disaster within the boundaries the Airport the Department may the request of the Airport Fire Chief provide such assistance that is required. Such assistance is provided with the understanding that within the Airport the Fire Chief in command and full responsibility of any actions ordered by him/her. the event of a structural fire within the Airport boundaries the Iqaluit Fire Department will respond and the Igaluit Fire Chief will be in command of the incident, and control of the structure, until such time as he/she has declared the involved structure(s) and related areas safe. structure(s) and related areas have been declared safe the control of and responsibility for said structure(s) /areas will be returned to the Airport Fire Chief. request the Airport Fire Chief the Iqaluit Department will provide such assistance as required in completion of overhaul and determination of fire origin and cause. ## 17. COSTS OF OPERATION In general the operation, maintenance and capital costs of the Department will be borne by the Municipality. However, when the direct benefits of a specific service are limited, to an identifiable person, persons, government or private municipality said beneficiary(ies) a fee. Also when the Department is called to respond undue number of false to the Municipality may charge Itsucturer the structure a fee or fees for some or all of unnecessary responses. are set out in Appendix "B". ## 18. REPEAL This By-law repeals By-law No. 214. This By-law comes into effect thereafter the third and final reading date. Read a First time this 2612 day of deptember, 1994 s.D. Read a second time this 26Tk - day of september, 1994 A.D. MUNICIPAL ÁDMINISTRATOR   Approved by the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs this 27M day of September -, 19.94 A.D.  Mult MINISTER, MUNICIPAL AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS day of Read a Third time and Finally passed this Zsic siplesbia, 1994 A.D.  MUNICIPAL ADMINISTRATOR  ## APPENDIX "A" ## IQALUIT FIRE DEPARTMENT MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS 1. The applicant must have reached the Age of Majority, nineteen (19) years of age. An applicant between the ages of sixteen (16) and nineteen (19) may be accepted as a Junior Member with written permission from his/her parent or legal guardian. Junior Members are not permitted to work in any area of danger and are limited to support 2. The applicant should have a minimum education of N.W.I. Grade Ten (10) or equivalent. 3. The applicant may be asked to provide an affidavit from the R.C.M.P. regarding the existence or non-existence of any criminal record. The applicant must have a recent history of drug/alcohol abuse, mental illness, violence or criminal activity which pose a threat confidence of Department members and the public. and 4. The applicant must be in good health and be able to provide a doctor's certificate stating requested by Department. He/she must be of to perform sufficient size and strength all normal departmental duties. 5. The applicant must be aware of, to, the minimum training requirement of One Hundred and Fifty (150) hours per year and that he/she may absent without just cause from more than Iwo (2) consecutive training sessions or emergency response call-outs. (Just cause is to be interpreted as employment commitments, sickness or travel). 6. The Deplicantist awar-military gree toat hon fand that though he/she may "volunteer" member he/she is required to follow the chain of command, obeying all orders of superior members of the Department, following all Standard Operating Procedures and abiding by all Department Policies and Regulations. 7. The applicant must agree to uphold the good image of the Department. 8. The applicant must agree to hair length and facial hair restrictions the Northwest Territories Industrial Safety Regulations as interpreted by the Chief. 9. The applicant must agree to follow restrictions regarding the wearing jewelry Northwest and clothing articles as per the Territories Industrial Safety Regulations as interpreted by the Chief. 10. The Personnel Review Committee will make recommendations to the Chief in regards to the acceptance of an applicant. ## APPENDIX "B" ## REGARDING SECTION 20 OF THIS BY-LAW: ## SCHEDULE OF CHARGES PER FALSE FIRE ALARMS in the opinion of the Chief, there has been an undue number of false alarms requiring response by the Igaluit Fire Department to a specific building, then he/she will owner in writing that the situation causing the must be corrected within twenty working days of the issuance of the warning. For responses to false alarms to the building in question during immediately following the said twenty working days the owner will be charged at the following rates: | FIRST FALSE ALARM | $ 100.00 | |---------------------------------|------------| | SECOND FALSE ALARM | $ 200.00 | | THIRD FALSE ALARM | $ 500.00 | | FOURTH FALSE ALARM | $1000.00 | | FIFTH & SUBSEQUENT FALSE ALARMS | $2000.00 | The charging and or payment for responses to fire false alarms does not exempt the of the requirements of the National Building Code, National Fire Code, National Electrical code, Fire Prevention Act or this By-law ## CHARGE OUT RATES FOR DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL AND EQUIPMENT NOTE: In all cases there is a one hour minimum, subsequent charges are to the nearest half-hour. | Chief Deputy-Chief Captains Lieutenants All other Department Personnel | $ $ $ $ $ 50.00/hr. 45.00/hr. 35.00/hr. 30.00/hr. 20.00/hr. | |--------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------|