“The results of the audits that we carried out during the year reveal that, in general, the City of Trois-Rivières is taking the necessary measures in terms of fire prevention and fighting,” underlines Jacques Bergeron, general auditor of the City of Trois-Rivières, in his report.
This is the second time in a few months that the results of an audit concerning the Department of Fire Safety and Civil Security (DSISC) of Trois-Rivières have been revealed. In July, an audit by the Ministry of Public Security gave the City of Trois-Rivières a perfect score in terms of fire safety.
These conclusions are published while Trois-Rivières firefighters have fought several large fires in recent weeks, including two fatal ones.
In his report, the auditor general looks at the fire safety risk coverage plan as well as the management and maintenance of fire hydrants (standpipes). In both cases, he did not find any major problems.
Trois-Rivières firefighters have fought several major fires in recent weeks, including the one that virtually destroyed the Notre-Dame-des-Sept-Allégresses church. (Stéphane Lessard/Archives Le Nouvelliste)
Risk coverage scheme
The objective of this audit mission was in particular to determine whether the fire safety risk coverage plan (SCRSI) of the City of Trois-Rivières is complete and whether it meets the requirements of the Ministry of Public Security.
This is the case, according to the Auditor General.
“In summary, we found that the current risk coverage plan contains all of the required elements in accordance with industry best practices and the requirements of the Ministry of Public Safety.”
— Jacques Bergeron, general auditor of the City of Trois-Rivières
It was also implemented adequately. “The action plan resulting from this plan is followed rigorously and the results are disseminated to the regulatory authorities.”
Regarding the maintenance of equipment and accessories of intervention vehicles, it “complies with best practices and current standards”.
Finally, workforce planning helps ensure “the sustainability of the specialized workforce required to ensure fire prevention and fighting.”
As part of this audit, the auditor issues only one recommendation aimed at improving the accountability process.
Fire hydrants are adequately maintained in Trois-Rivières, according to the conclusions of the Auditor General’s report. (Olivier Croteau/Archives Le Nouvelliste)
Management and maintenance of fire hydrants
The General Auditor also conducted an audit on the management and maintenance of fire hydrants (hydrants) by the City of Trois-Rivières.
Again, she earned a star in her notebook. “The quantity and distribution of fire hydrants correspond to firefighting needs and provide an adequate level of confidence,” writes the auditor general.
Note that there are 5,560 fire hydrants in Trois-Rivières, including 450 belonging to private owners.
The Public Works Department has implemented a rigorous management and maintenance protocol for the fire hydrant network, according to the auditor. “In addition, the inspection of all fire hydrants carried out twice a year demonstrates that the City is a leader in this area,” he notes.
“As a result, we consider that the implementation of preventive and corrective maintenance activities corresponds to industry best practices and meets the standards of Canadian regulatory bodies.”
— Jacques Bergeron, general auditor of the City of Trois-Rivières
Finally, “fire department responders have access to relevant information regarding the portrait and condition of fire hydrants during their interventions, in real time on vehicular terminals.”
In this audit, the Auditor General makes four recommendations. They “mainly aim to provide additional alternative means in the event of an interruption of means of communication and to obtain assurance that those responsible for fire hydrants in the private domain respect the same preventive and corrective maintenance criteria as those of the City” .
Furthermore, the General Auditor analyzed a specific event, which occurred on December 2, 2022. The fire hydrant, located near the fire, was out of order. “[…] our verification shows that this situation had no impact on the quality of the firefighters’ intervention,” concludes Mr. Bergeron.
In this sixth report as Auditor General, Mr. Bergeron also looks at the management and maintenance of the vehicle fleet.
Note that the period covered by these audits extends from November 2023 to August 2024. The results of the work are based on the state of the situation which prevailed on August 31, 2024.
