Fire fighters did not have proper guidance to respond to the Upper Tantallon Wildfire last year.
That’s according to a new staff report from the city, which outlines 13 areas where the fire department could improve.
It says the regular operating plan for the fire departments could not account for such a massive fire and “did not provide clear guidance.”
However, the report authors say crews should be commended for how they responded to the emergency, despite the lack of clear guidance. Some off-duty firefighters, some in leadership roles, showed up to help without any ” formal activation.”
The Upper Tantallon fire started the afternoon of May 28, 2023 and quickly turned into the worst wildfire the region has ever seen.
“Despite extensive efforts to control and extinguish the Upper Tantallon fire, it consumed more than 900 hectares, required the evacuation of 16,400 people, and resulted in the loss of approximately 200 structures, including 151 homes,” the report said.
The report recommends work in:
- Major Event Response
- Evacuation
- Accountability
- Safety
- Wildland Urban Interface Fire
- Firefighting
- Water Supply
- Mutual Aid
- Logistics
- Emergency Fleet Services
- Telecommunications and Technology
- Emergency Public Information
- Fire Investigation
The report suggests an adaptable “all-hazards approach” is a better response to major events than several plans catered to specific emergencies.
The report suggests the city work to develop a plan specific to the Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency.
The report also includes a detailed timeline of when the fire started and the response as it spread.
The report is being presented to city council today.
