February 8, 2008
2008-02
Under the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997, the Office of the Fire
Marshal (OFM) collects information on fire losses and emergency responses from
fire departments across Ontario. This information captured by the reporting
system – the Standard Incident Report and the Casualty Report
– is used to
create a comprehensive picture of fire risks and trends in the province in an
ongoing effort to reduce fire risks and losses and enhance fire protection. The
OFM, fire departments, agencies, researchers, the public and the media use the
information gathered for research purposes, risk assessment and public
awareness. The data has also been incorporated into the Performance Measures and
Benchmarking System, a program that was developed jointly by fire departments
and the OFM.
During the past year, the OFM conducted a review of the reporting system to
ensure that the information collected was of value and relevant, that it
reflected changes that had occurred, and that it fulfilled the needs of the OFM
and its stakeholders.
This review provided stakeholders with the opportunity to make recommendations.
Selected fire department representatives reviewed the recommended changes, and
suggested additional fields and codes. All fire departments were surveyed and
given the opportunity to comment on the recommended changes.
The review of the fire loss reporting system resulted in adding a number of data
items to the Standard Incident Report. It is important to note that most of
these items were added to the fire reporting sections of the report. Fire
reports are completed for only 5% of incidents to which fire departments
respond.
A summary of the responses to fire department survey is attached. More detailed
information about the survey and responses to the survey is available at
www.ofm.ca, the OFM Web site for fire departments. This information includes
survey comments submitted by fire departments and OFM comments.
The OFM thanks all fire departments that provided feedback on the proposed
changes. Their invaluable input will help the OFM make its reporting system a
tool for shaping fire protection in Ontario that is as useful and comprehensive
as possible.
The OFM has forwarded the changes to the Standard Incident Report and the
Casualty Report to the major software vendors and will be working with them on
the implementation of the new reports. Updates on the implementation of the
revised reports will be provided by e-mail (or hardcopy) over the next few
months.
Attachment
Summary of Fire Department Survey Responses
Disponible en français
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