DAOD 4007-2, Emergency Fire Operations in Respect of DND and CAF Infrastructure

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Definitions
3. Overview
4. Operating Principles
5. Compliance and Consequences
6. Responsibilities
7. References

1. Introduction

Date of Issue: 1998-05-29

Date of Last modification: 2021-01-12

Application: This DAOD is a directive that applies to employees of the Department of National Defence (DND employees) and an order that applies to officers and non-commissioned members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF members).

Approval Authority: Assistant Deputy Minister (Infrastructure and Environment) (ADM(IE))

Enquiries: Canadian Forces Fire Marshal (CFFM)

2. Definitions

emergency fire operations (mesures d’urgence de lutte contre les incendies)

Rescue, fire suppression, emergency medical care and other operations performed at the scene of a fire in respect of DND or CAF infrastructure. (Defence Terminology Bank record number 43058)

infrastructure (infrastructure)

Fixed and permanent installations, fabrications and facilities, including plants, buildings, works, real property, immovables, and natural and cultural environments. (Defence Terminology Bank record number 4534)

life safety (sécurité des personnes)

The protection of persons exposed to specific hazards from fire or the design or maintenance of buildings or other structures. (Defence Terminology Bank record number 43134)

3. Overview

Purpose

3.1 The purpose of this DAOD is to set minimum standards for emergency fire operations based on, in order of priority:

1. life safety for first responders and the occupants of buildings and other structures;
2. the continuation of CAF operations and missions; and
3. the protection of DND and CAF infrastructure.

3.2 This DAOD requires that fire risk assessments be conducted regularly at each defence establishment to ensure mitigating and preventative measures are implemented to reduce the probability and severity of fire incidents.

Local Plans

3.3 In consultation with the base or wing fire chief, base and wing commanders must develop local plans to provide first responders with additional resources and personnel for large-scale or high risk emergency fire operations that could result in significant property damage or potential loss of life on defence establishments. This is typically accomplished through the establishment of mutual aid agreements with neighbouring municipalities or townships, or both.

4. Operating Principles

Minimum Required Firefighting Apparatus and Personnel

4.1 For the conduct of emergency fire operations, base and wing commanders must ensure that there is at least one firefighting apparatus designed to combat infrastructure fires for their base or wing, and that the following number and type of qualified firefighters are available:

Commencement of Emergency Fire Operations

4.2 Base and wing commanders must ensure, if practical, that their fire services can successfully commence emergency fire operations at the scene of any fire at their base or wing, except in conditions of foul weather, hazardous road conditions, training or other extreme circumstances, within 10 minutes of the fire call.

4.3 If the base or wing commander determines that emergency fire operations cannot be consistently successfully commenced within 10 minutes of a fire call, the base or wing commander must request that a risk assessment be carried out by the CFFM to identify options to mitigate the risk of death, injury, loss or damage.

Fire Risk Assessment

4.4 Base and wing commanders must ensure that periodic fire risk assessments are conducted, with guidance from the CFFM as required, to study all relevant features of DND and CAF infrastructure with a view to determining potential fire severity and consequences for emergency fire operations. Following a fire risk assessment, a base or wing commander may, in order to meet the emergency fire operations requirements, investigate alternate delivery solutions.

4.5 Should DND or CAF infrastructure be considered a high life safety risk, the installation of automatic fire suppression systems is recommended to decrease the potential loss of life and property.

5. Compliance and Consequences

Compliance

5.1 DND employees and CAF members must comply with this DAOD. Should clarification of the policies or instructions set out in this DAOD be required, DND employees and CAF members may seek direction through their channel of communication or chain of command, as appropriate. Managers and military supervisors have the primary responsibility for and means of ensuring the compliance of their DND employees and CAF members with this DAOD.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

5.2 DND employees and CAF members are accountable to their respective managers and military supervisors for any failure to comply with the direction set out in this DAOD. Non‑compliance with this DAOD may have consequences for both the DND and the CAF as institutions, and for DND employees and CAF members as individuals. Suspected non‑compliance may be investigated. Managers and military supervisors must take or direct appropriate corrective measures if non-compliance with this DAOD has consequences for the DND or the CAF. The decision of a level one advisor or other senior official to take action or to intervene in a case of non-compliance, other than in respect of a decision under the Code of Service Discipline regarding a CAF member, will depend on the degree of risk based on the impact and likelihood of an adverse outcome resulting from the non-compliance and other circumstances of the case.

5.3 The nature and severity of the consequences resulting from non-compliance should be commensurate with the circumstances of the non-compliance and other relevant circumstances. Consequences of non-compliance may include one or more of the following:

1. the ordering of the completion of appropriate learning, training or professional development;
2. the entering of observations in individual performance evaluations;
3. increased reporting and performance monitoring;
4. the withdrawal of any authority provided under this DAOD to a DND employee or CAF member;
5. the reporting of suspected offences to responsible law enforcement agencies;
6. the application of specific consequences as set out in applicable laws, codes of conduct, and DND and CAF policies and instructions;
7. other administrative action, including the imposition of disciplinary measures, for a DND employee;
8. other administrative or disciplinary action, or both, for a CAF member; and
9. the imposition of liability on the part of Her Majesty in right of Canada, DND employees and CAF members.

Note – In respect of the compliance of DND employees, see the Treasury Board Framework for the Management of Compliance for additional information.

6. Responsibilities

Responsibility Table

6.1 The following table identifies the responsibilities associated with this DAOD:

7. References

Acts, Regulations, Central Agency Policies and Policy DAOD

• Canada Labour Code, Part II, Occupational Health And Safety
• National Building Code of Canada
• National Fire Code of Canada
• QR&O Chapter 30, Fire Protection Services
• Framework for the Management of Compliance, Treasury Board
• Fire Protection Standard, Treasury Board
• DAOD 4007-0, Fire Protection Services

Other References

• DAOD 4007-3, Emergency Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Operations
• A-LM-158-005/AG-001, Transport Manual
• NFPA 1001, Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications
• NFPA 1002, Standard for Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator Professional Qualifications
• NFPA 1021, Standard for Fire Officer Professional Qualifications
• 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
• NFPA 1720, Standard for the Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations, Emergency Medical Operations and Special Operations to the Public by Volunteer Fire Departments