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VILLAGE OF FRASER LAKE
REGULAR MEETING OF COUNCIL
AGENDA
Date:
October 21, 2024
Time:
3:00 PM
Location:
210 Carrier Crescent, Fraser Lake, B.C.
Municipal Chambers
Pages
1.
Adoption of the Agenda
Recommendation:
THAT Council adopt the agenda as presented.
2.
Bylaws
1.
Bylaw 862, Fire Services Bylaw
2
Recommendation:
THAT Council give first, second, and third reading to Bylaw 862, Fire
Services Bylaw.
3.
In Camera
4.
Adjournment
Recommendation:
THAT The meeting be adjourned.
VILLAGE OF FRASER LAKE
BYLAW NO. 862, 2024
BEING A BYLAW OF THE VILLAGE OF FRASER LAKE TO ESTABLISH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, FIRE SERVICE
LEVELS, AND FIRE REGULATIONS
The Council of the Village of Fraser Lake in open meeting assembled enacts as follows:
1. GENERAL ADMINISTRATION
a) TITLE
This Bylaw may be cited as "Bylaw 862, Fire Service Bylaw".
b) REPEAL
a) Village of Fraser Lake Fireworks Regulation By-Law No. 405, 1991, and any amendments
thereto, are hereby repealed.
b) Village of Fraser Lake Fire By-Law No. 497, 1996, and any amendments thereto, are hereby
repealed.
c) Village of Fraser Lake Outdoor Solid Fuel Combustion Appliances Bylaw 692, 2008, and any
amendments thereto, are hereby repealed.
d) Village of Fraser Lake Fire Department Service Level Bylaw No. 780, 2016, and any
amendments thereto, are hereby repealed.
c) SEVERABILITY
If one or more provisions of this Bylaw are, for any reason, declared to be invalid by a court of
competent jurisdiction, the invalid provision shall be severed, and all remaining provisions shall
remain in full force and effect.
d) APPLICATION
a) This Bylaw and the accompanying jurisdiction of the Fire Department extend to the
geographical boundaries of the Village, as amended from time to time.
b) No fire Apparatus will be used beyond the limit of the boundaries without:
(i) A Mutual Aid Agreement or Service Agreement providing for the supply of fire
protection services outside of the Village boundaries;
(ii) The express authorization of Council, or;
(iii) A legislative requirement or authorization by the Province of British Columbia.
c) Notwithstanding Section 1.4.(a), in the event of a significant emergency or threat to the
Village, Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako Area D, or neighbouring community, it shall be
at the Fire Chief's discretion to allow for response outside any existing boundaries.
Page 2 of 8
2. INTERPRETATION
a) Except as otherwise defined in this Bylaw, words and phrases in this Bylaw are to be
interpreted consistently with the British Columbia Building Code, Fire Code, Fire Safety Act,
Community Charter, and the Interpretation Act.
3. DEFINITIONS
Apparatus
Any vehicle provided with machinery, devices, equipment, or materials
for firefighting, first response, medical aid, or rescue by the Fire
Department, including vehicles that are property of the Fire
Department used to transport fire fighters or supplies but not including
personal vehicles used by volunteer Members to travel to the fire
station when responding to a call
Council
The elected Council of the Village of Fraser Lake
Campfire
An open, outdoor fire not exceeding 0.5 metres in diameter or height,
and is lit, fueled, or used by any person for a recreational purpose
Consumer Fireworks
Low-hazard firework articles designed for recreational use by and for
sale to the public
Display Fireworks
High-hazard firework articles for use by certified professionals
Equipment
Any tools, contrivances, devices, or materials used by the Fire
Department to combat and assist at an incident or other emergency
Fire Department
The Village of Fraser Lake Volunteer Fire Department
Fire Protection
All aspects of fire safety including but not limited to fire prevention, fire
fighting or suppression, pre-fire planning, fire investigation, public
education and information, training, or other staff development and
advising
Fireworks
Any article containing a combustible or explosive composition, or any
substance or combination of substances prepared for, capable of, or
discharged for the purpose of producing a pyrotechnical display and/or
explosion. This does not include flares, fuses, or similar pyrotechnic
devices when used for signaling purposes or illumination in the event of
an emergency.
Incident
A fire, explosion, or any event or situation that may constitute a threat
to life, property, the environment, or any combination thereof, to
which the Fire Department has attended
Inorganic Material
Any material that is not yard waste, wood or wood products, or paper
or paper products
Member
Any person duly appointed to the Fire Department
Mutual-Aid Agreement
An agreement between two or more jurisdictions to provide response
on behalf of the respective Fire Departments
Nuisance
An unreasonable interference with personal health, safety, or comfort
of an individual and/or their use or enjoyment of their property, and
without limitation, includes the emission of smoke
Page 3 of 8
Officer
Includes the Fire Chief and any Member acting in the capacity as a
supervisor or designated by the Fire Chief as an Officer
Service Agreement
An agreement between the Village and any entity outside of the
jurisdiction of the Fire Department to provide Fire Protection services
Village
The Corporation of the Village of Fraser Lake
4. ESTABLISHMENT
The Fraser Lake Volunteer Fire Department, as previously established and identified, is hereby
continued under this Bylaw.
5. FIRE CHIEF
a) The Fire Chief shall be appointed by a resolution of Council.
b) The Fire Chief shall report to the Chief Administrative Officer.
c) The Fire Chief is responsible and accountable for:
i.
The management and supervision of the Fire Department, including all buildings, Apparatus,
Equipment, Members, and Officers
ii.
The Training of Members
iii.
The administration and enforcement of this Bylaw
iv.
The duties of a Fire Inspecter, as defined in Section 8 of the Fire Safety Act
v.
The duties of a Fire Investigator, as defined in Section 23 of the Fire Safety Act
vi.
Providing Fire Protection services within the boundaries and jurisdiction established in
Section 1.4
vii.
Providing other safety and life-saving services regardless of jurisdiction as authorized by
Council and any other enabling legislation
d) The Fire Chief may exercise the following powers:
i.
Enter any property within the jurisdiction at any reasonable time to inspect the premises
ii.
Take all measures deemed necessary and legal for the prevention, control, and extinguishing
of fires and for the protection of life and property
iii.
Institute a ban on all outdoor fires or specific types of fires at any time
iv.
Provide advice and recommendations to Council and other Village employees regarding any
Equipment, Apparatus, and the provision of adequate water supply and pressure.
6. MEMBERS AND OFFICERS
a) The Fire Chief may:
i.
Appoint and regulate Members of the Fire Department
ii.
Appoint any Member of the Fire Department as an Officer and may designate that Member
to act as the Fire Chief in the Fire Chief's absence.
b) In the absence of the Fire Chief or any appointed Officer to act in their place, Members may act
in place of the Fire Chief and/or take command of an Incident.
Page 4 of 8
c) All Members and Officers are, during any Incident, authorized to access and use any property,
Apparatus, or Equipment for which they are trained and are deemed necessary and legal for the
prevention, control, and extinguishing of fires and for the protection of life and property
d) Council may, on the advice of the Fire Chief, establish minimum membership in the Fire
Department for continued operations and maximum membership prior to waitlisting applicants.
7. REMUNERATION
The rates of remuneration for the Fire Chief, Officers, and Members shall be established by Council.
8. SERVICE LEVEL
The Fire Department is authorized to provide Incident response activities in accordance with and
subject to the limitations of the Exterior Operations Level, as determined by the Office of the Fire
Commissioner.
9. PERMITS, EXEMPTIONS, AND PROHIBITIONS
a) PERMITS
Unless otherwise exempted by this Bylaw:
i.
All outdoor fires or other outdoor activities which may reasonably be considered likely to
ignite a fire require a valid permit from the Village
ii.
The Permitting Officers for the Village will be:
a) The Fire Chief
b) Any other Member designated by the Fire Chief
c) Any other Village staff person designated by the Fire Chief
iii.
Permits will be in a form prescribed by the Fire Chief
iv.
No permit will be issued until a complete application has been submitted
v.
Permits may be issued for:
a) Category 1 fires (campfires and yard waste fires)
b) Category 2 Open Fires (material not exceeding 2 metres high and 3 metres wide)
c) Fireworks, subject to Section 9
vi.
The Permitting Officer may inspect for compliance any material for which a permit
application has been submitted prior to issuing any permit
vii.
The Permitting Officer may deny or revoke a previously approved permit at any time if:
a) There is demonstrable risk of the fire burning out of control or otherwise spreading
b) There are inorganic materials present, save for a reasonable and safe amount of fire
accelerant required to ignite the fire
c) The fire is a Nuisance to the Village and its residents
d) The applicant does not abide by this Bylaw or any other stipulation in the permit
viii.
All permitted fires must be attended by a responsible adult at all times
ix.
No Category 1 or 2 burning is permitted between the hours of 10:00PM and 7:00AM
Page 5 of 8
b) EXEMPTIONS
The following activities are allowed without a permit:
Indoor fires whose primary purpose is heating a home or business, provided they do so using
approved, maintained, and certified appliances
c) PROHIBITIONS
Prohibited fires, appliances, and related activities include:
i.
Outdoor solid fuel combustion appliances
ii.
Category 3 or 4 fires
iii.
Any fire or activity resulting in the burning of any inorganic materials
iv.
Any fire or activity subject to a municipally or provincially mandated fire ban
10. FIREWORKS
a) SALE
No person shall sell or otherwise distribute Fireworks within the Village
b) CONSUMER FIREWORKS
i.
Consumer Fireworks are permitted only at White Swan Park
ii.
Consumer Fireworks are permitted from 6:00PM to 10:00PM, with the exception of New
Year's Eve, where they will be permitted until 12:15AM
iii.
Once lit, Consumer Fireworks must be at least 5 metres from the nearest structure, person,
tree, or animal and aimed away from any structure, person, tree, or animal.
iv.
All permit applications for Consumer Fireworks must be received at least 3 business days
prior to their use to allow for public notice
v.
Consumer Fireworks permits may be denied or revoked at any time if the activity is deemed
dangerous or a Nuisance by the Permitting Officer
c) DISPLAY FIREWORKS
i.
Display Fireworks are permitted anywhere in the Village
ii.
Any permit for Display Fireworks will require the names, contact details, and official
certification for all personnel involved in the display
iii.
All permit applications for Display Fireworks must be received at least 10 business days prior
to their use to allow for public notice and appropriate planning
iv.
Display Fireworks permits may be denied or revoked at any time if the activity is deemed
dangerous or a potential nuisance by the Permitting Officer
11. FIRE HYDRANTS
a) No person may park any vehicle at any time within 5 metres of a fire hydrant.
b) This provision does not apply to any municipal employee or contractor performing necessary
maintenance or upgrades to or around the fire hydrant.
Page 6 of 8
c) Any motor vehicle left parked, stopped, or standing in violation of this section may be towed
and impounded in the storage area of a towing company with a secure compound, and
reclaimed at the owner's expense.
d) Any person on whose property a fire hydrant is located must keep the fire hydrant clear of
obstructions, debris, and shrubs or trees at a radius of 1 metre around the fire hydrant
12. FIRE ALARMS
a) No person shall intentionally activate a fire alarm unless:
i.
There is a fire
ii.
The person reasonably believes there is a fire or other Incident for which the Fire
Department is required to respond
iii.
The activation is carried out for testing purposes by persons authorized to do so
b) Any owner or occupant of a structure which contains an automatic fire alarm system will inform
the Fire Chief prior to any service, testing, repair, or maintenance which might activate a false
alarm resulting in an emergency response.
13. ENFORCEMENT
a) Any person designated as a Bylaw Enforcement Officer as per Section 20 of Bylaw 856, Bylaw
Enforcement Bylaw, is authorized to enforce the provisions of this Bylaw by Bylaw Notice, or as
otherwise provided by this Bylaw.
b) Any person who contravenes this Bylaw is subject to the penalties, as amended from time to
time, in Bylaw 856, Bylaw Enforcement Bylaw.
Page 7 of 8
That Bylaw 856, Bylaw Enforcement Bylaw be amended as follows:
1. by adding the following table to Schedule A:
Bylaw 862, Fire Services Bylaw
Bylaw
Section
Description
A1
Penalty
A2 Early
Payment
A3 Late
Penalty
A4
Compliance
Agreement
Available
862
8.1(a)
Unpermitted outdoor fire
$400
$200
$500
Yes
862
8.1(g)(ii)
Burning inorganic materials
$200
$100
$400
No
862
8.1(g)(iii) Nuisance fire
$100
$50
$200
Yes
862
8.1(h)
Unattended fire
$400
$200
$500
No
862
8.1(i)
Burning outside permitted
hours
$400
$200
$500
Yes
862
8.3(b)
Fire larger than permitted
$400
$200
$500
Yes
862
8.3(d)
Burning while under a fire ban
$500
$250
$500
No
862
9.1
Sale or distribution of fireworks
$400
$200
$500
Yes
862
9.2(a)
Fireworks outside permitted
area
$200
$100
$400
Yes
862
9.2(b)
Fireworks outside permitted
hours
$200
$100
$400
Yes
862
9.2(c)
Fireworks too near structures,
people, trees, or animals
$400
$200
$500
No
862
10.1
Parking within 5 metres of a fire
hydrant
$200
$100
$300
Yes
862
11.1
Unwarranted fire alarm
$200
$100
$300
Yes
862
11.2
Service, repair, test, or
maintenance of fire alarm
without informing Fire Chief
$200
$100
$300
Yes
READ A FIRST TIME THIS
___
DAY OF OCTOBER,
2024
READ A SECOND TIME THIS
___
DAY OF OCTOBER,
2024
READ A THIRD TIME THIS
___
DAY OF OCTOBER,
2024
RECONSIDERED AND ADOPTED THIS
___
DAY OF OCTOBER,
2024
Mayor
Corporate Officer
Page 8 of 8