Question 4
There is value in fire department accreditation, however, improving the quality of the service requires dedicated work, investment, and alignment with industry standards. As part of the CFAI accreditation process, OFS establishes its own performance benchmarks using historical response data as a baseline. The industry standard for fire service resource requirements and response time objectives is National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) 1710 “Standard for the Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations, Emergency Medical Operations, and Special Operations to the Public by Career Fire Departments”.
If elected, would you support OFS measuring and reporting its operational performance based on time interval targets set by NFPA 1710?
Brandon Bay, Candidate for Mayor
Yes
Nour Kadri, Candidate for Mayor
Yes. We can augment other KPIs and measures to improve it.
Graham MacDonald, Candidate for Mayor
yes, I believe it's imperative to operate at minimum of official industry standards as anything less would be considered sub-par quality as well.
Mike Maguire, Candidate for Mayor
Sorry, don't know enough about it. I would have to understand why the present standard is insufficient and/or how adopting a new standard makes the OFS a better service.
Ade Olumide, Candidate for MayorYes, based the background you provided this seems reasonable.
Param Singh, Candidate for Mayor
I would love to look at the data and see how much of a difference there is between the NFPA 1710 and OFD’s own baseline data. I believe that as the Capital of the Nation, we should strive to be our best and if this means that we should set our targets set out by NFPA 1710, then we should look into implementing this in Ottawa.
Rosemee Cantave, Candidate for Councillor - Ward 1 Orléans East-Cumberland
Respecting guidelines and listening to expert’s advice is the way to go. Yes, I will support OFS measuring and reporting its operational performance based on time interval targets set by NFPA 1710.
Tessa Franklin, Candidate for Councillor - Ward 1 (Orléans East-Cumberland)
Yes. However, we need to ensure firefighters have the funding and resources to reach these targets. I am committed to ensuring our stations have the resources they need to reach these targets.
Taayo Simmonds, Candidate for Councillor - Ward 3 Barrhaven West
I support
Christine Moulaison, Candidate Councillor - Ward 4 Kanata North
Again, setting up a system that can only improve OFS as a whole seems like something that needs to be implemented asap. This will help both residents and firefighters alike. I don’t know why we wouldn’t want this done.
Stephanie Maghnam, Candidate for Councillor - Ward 5 West Carleton-March
Yes
Greg Patacairk, Candidate for Councillor - Ward 5 West Carleton-March
Yes
Mathew Duchesne, Candidate for Councillor - Ward 6 Stittsville
I think this sounds promising and I believe whatever steps being taken to advance response times and performance, we all stand for that and I support innovation, I would like to hear more from firefighters and fire chiefs to see what they think makes sense for the community they’re serving.
Tanya Hein, Candidate for Councillor - Ward 6 Stittsville
I would be willing to consider this shift.
Kevin Hua, Candidate for Councillor - Ward 6 Stittsville
Yes, setting performance standards and benchmarks are vital to ensuring the quality of our fire protection services.
Robert Hill, Candidate for Councillor - Ward 7 Bay
If the industry standard for resource requirements is NFPA 1710 then we should absolutely be digging deeper into this and seeing how we can implement these standards into our services, I will commit to starting those talks and working with our firefighters to get this done.
Theresa Kavanagh, Candidate for Councillor - Ward 7 Bay
I reiterate my commitment to exploring any options for improved service, and response times, and look forward to hearing more about these in regular reports to City Council.
Laine Johnson, Candidate for Councillor - Ward 8 College
As a non-profit executive I am routinely asked to monitor and evaluate my programs as part of my accountability to the public. I would be supportive of evaluation programs that are simple and easy to administer, easily understandable by the public, and regularly shared out. The flip side of reporting is organizational learning, and it would be well placed to understand how the results of the evaluation then inform the evolution of programs and services.
Sean Devine, Candidate for Councillor - Ward 9 Knoxdale-Merivale
I don’t know enough about the differences between accreditation methods to offer a confident answer.
Myles Egli, Candidate for Councillor - Ward 9 Knoxdale-Merivale
Yes
Michael Wood, Candidate for Councillor - Ward 9 Knoxdale-Merivale
If elected I would support this.
Taylor Houstoun, Candidate for Councillor - Ward 10 Gloucester-Southgate
Being a highly technical question that I would need to dedicate significant investigation and time to understanding, I can’t commit to this presently. It is a subject I know scant little about and it could take weeks of consultations and reviews to understand the nuances and best practices.
Hicham Boutaleb, Candidate for Councillor - Ward 12 Rideau-Vanier
Yes.
However, if it is the best benchmark around (as you say), and it is responsive and inclusive of modern needs and problems, then I see no issue with supporting this change.
Kim Leclerc, Candidate for Councillor - Ward 12 Rideau-Vanier
Data and evaluations are essential to know our performance and to be able to improve things. I am in favour of using North American standards.
Stéphanie Plante, Candidate for Councillor - Ward 12 Rideau-Vanier
Honestly I would need to know more about this issue. It sounds good in theory.
Laura Shantz, Candidate for Councillor - Ward 12 Rideau-Vanier
Using industry standard performance benchmarks makes sense and fits with my goals of more evidence-based decision-making at city hall. I would support this change.
Peter Karwacki, Candidate for Councillor - Ward 13 Rideau-Rockliffe
I am a proponent of data analysis, business intelligence, performance bench marking, and other quantitative analysis. In fact I believe the council itself must use these methods to ensure it is not spining its wheels to ensure that it is focusing the right amount of energy on the priority issues. Sure If elected, I would support OFS measuring and reporting its operational performance based on time interval targets set by NFPA 1710 - but also other generally accepted standards for fire services. What are they?
Rawlson King, Candidate for Councillor - Ward 13 Rideau-Rockliffe
Yes
Stuart MacKay, Candidate for Councillor - Ward 14 Somerset
Yes, I would support OFS measuring and reporting its operational performance based on time interval targets set by NFPA 1710.
Brandon Russell, Candidate for Councillor - Ward 14 Somerset
When it comes to complex legislation that is specific to a public service I think we need to remove the complexion and listen to the experts. In this case I think it is safe to assume the next council will not be fluent in the specifics in the NFPA, however if firefighters, and the experts are telling us its the right thing to do - lets do it.
Ariel Troster, Candidate for Councillor - Ward 14 Somerset
Yes -- being able to measure performance is crucial
Riley Brockington, Candidate for Councillor - Ward 16 River
I would want to learn more about the two standards and why Ottawa hasn’t adopted the NFPA 1710. I remain open minded and would commit to learning about both standards and why we are still using the local model.
Alex Dugal, Candidate for Councillor - Ward 16 River
While in principle I agree with adopting standards, I would need to see the differences in the internal OFS vs NFPA 1710 details to give a more informed answer.
Shawn Menard, Candidate for Councillor - Ward 17 Capital
Absolutely, the monitoring of response times is essential to improving service delivery.
Marty Carr, Candidate for Councillor - Ward 18 Alta-Vista
Yes
Yvette Ashiri, Candidate for Councillor - Ward 19 Orléans South-Navan
Yes. It’s important that our residents feel safe and can count on emergency services when needed, wherever they live. Investing in emergency services is necessary and worth it in the long run, and we need to ensure that these services are the best quality possible. OFS needs to be at the top of its ability to protect our city and I will always advocate that they get the best support from City Council. As mentioned before, firefighters know what is needed and how to best help our communities and I am committed to listening to OPFFA’s recommendations.
Bob Masaro, Candidate for Councillor Ward 20 Osgoode
YES
Patti Searl, Candidate for Councillor Ward 21 Rideau-Jock
I would like to learn more about this and an additional opportunity to share once more knowledge is obtained.
Kevin Setia, Candidate for Councillor Ward 21 Rideau-Jock
Yes, These are critical to provide timely response in disaster and life threatening situations
Mike Dawson, Candidate for Councillor Ward 23 Kanata South
Yes
Rouba Fattal, Candidate for Councillor Ward 23 Kanata South
This is an area that I need to find more information about before I can give a certain answer. I think that data is really important when it comes to public services and risk management. However, if reporting and recording this data is a hindrance to the OFS as of now, or because of a lack of infrastructure, I would like to see how we can provide them with the support they need so that they can participate in this reporting.
Patrick Brennan, Candidate for Councillor Ward 24 Barrhaven East
Yes
Richard Garrick, Candidate for Councillor Ward 24 Barrhaven East
I would support OFS measuring and reporting any data that makes the system more effective and safer for those on the ground. I would consult with experts, research and guidance in order to meet the needs of our emergency services.
Wilson Lo, Candidate for Councillor Ward 24 Barrhaven East
With a standard like NFPA 1710, the OFS can meaningfully compare itself with similar fire services across Canada, the United States, and globally to gain a better perspective on what it’s doing well and where it can improve. We work best when information and knowledge is shared. Where OFS can improve, we can look to similar agencies for examples, and where the OFS is exemplary, we can share our knowledge to help others keep their communities safe.
