Fire Chief Montone has answered Councillor Pouget’s questions and concerns about emergency access in red below.

Please find attached a photo and comments made on the Amherstburg Residents Forum Website.  Since this article appeared, I have been bombarded with questions, regarding emergency access to our downtown streets, during the 43 days of closures.

Open Air Weekends events is designed collaboratively, appropriately and is approved by the involvement of several Town Departments which includes involvement of the fire department. In terms of Fire Department Access, the foot print includes at all times a 6 m access route for fire apparatus and other emergency services including police and ambulance. This access route is currently designed to ensure we have full access to hydrants, fire department connections on buildings that have suppression systems and easy access throughout the event area.

The Ontario Building Code and the Ontario Fire Code establish an acceptable space for access routes to be maintained on an ongoing basis. OBC Div B Clause 3.2.5.6. (1) (a) sets that size to 6 Meters in width which is why we utilize the criteria. See  Photo (Dalhousie Access route Widths)

Every year, fire prevention staff and Chief officers walk the site to ensure compliance with these requirements. This took place Friday May 31^st for the first open air weekend. We also perform unannounced checks throughout the summer to ensure all the various events are remaining in compliance. Staff have driven the fire trucks down through the event space to confirm the approved access routes work and that our apparatus can make all necessary turns. 

All three emergency services were notified by the town that these roads would be closed throughout the summer with detailed instructions on how to access the site in case of an emergency. We further instructed the Fire Department Training Officer to ensure that all fire department staff are aware of those procedures and the closures. All fire staff have received that information and are aware of what to do. 

Lastly our staff prior to the opening weekend provided detailed training for all Tourism Staff including students relative to what is approved and what is not and the procedures to follow in an emergency situation in terms of how they can assist our response to the site of an emergency. See 5 Photos utilized for their Instructions( titled Access(and the location))

Due to the fact, that you were tied up with an Ontario Land Tribunal Hearing for the last four (4) days, I delayed in sending my concerns to you.  It is ironic, that the OLT Hearing, involved a very contentious proposal for a boutique/hotel on this same street, dealing with fire safety concerns.

I appreciate the Delay

I understand you do not live in our community and the closed streets occur mostly after your working hours and on the weekends, so you might not be aware of these activities, that appear to be blocking the streets.  Due to the fact, that bollards are in place at the Dalhousie/Murray, Dalhousie/Richmond, Ramsay/Murray, Ramsay/Richmond Street intersections and tables, tents and games appear to be obstructing these roadways, I am asking for your advice, if you are aware of these issues and if you are concerned with this matter.

I am Fully aware and approved of the placement and modifications made. The bollards you reference are actually water filled plastic jersey barriers which have been modified to allow for rapid draining when they need to be drained for movement. In our latest tests it took approximately 45 seconds for a full draining and the barrier can be moved after approximately 20-25 seconds. When event staff are aware of our response they are instructed to start the process and if they are not our staff as mentioned above have been instructed to be aware of what is required upon arrival to the area.

I am unclear as to the relevance of where I live…My working hours are whatever is needed to fulfill my duties and responsibilities. Again not that it is relevant but my home in the Town of Lasalle is 16.5 km. from the Richmond and Dalhousie Intersection From McGregor it is 17.1 Km. ( drive time is 17 minute) and from Paquette Corners to the same intersection is 20.7 km.(drive time is 19 minutes). My drive time to My office, Driveway to Driveway is 12.5 min. In an Emergency Response utilizing warning Lights and Siren I am approximately 7 min. if you are raising the issue under the assumption that I do not spend any time in Amherstburg outside working hours, I can assure you that I socialize in Amherstburg, I golf in Amherstburg regularly, I shop in Amherstburg most often daily…and as a senior leader in the Municipality it is a proper professional practice to be aware of what is happening in the community at all times.

Perhaps, as a daughter of a volunteer Amherstburg Firefighter for 35 years and I as a member of Emergency Response Ontario for 23 years, I am very aware of the importance of emergency vehicles to have quick response times, with unobstructed pathways.  The photo provided implies obstruction to a very busy street.  In the case of an emergency, how would our residents and tourists escape, when being blocked in with very large buildings on both sides of the street? Would they have to rush the intersections of Dalhousie/Richmond or Dalhousie/Murray to escape? What about our residents with accessibility issues? 

The angle in the photo is a misleading perspective and I can confirm that area is set up appropriately. The fire route at that location goes from the east side of the road in front of the Artisan Grill to the west side of the road in front of Lot 10. In terms of Pedestrian movement there is ample space for people to exit the area most often the way they arrived. Occupant load for each business has not been increased because of patios… providing patrons with a place of refuge from weather or in cases of emergency. See photos attached

On another note, I am equally concerned about the Rib Fest to be held in the downtown core next weekend.  I copied you on an email on May 23rd, but I did not receive a response from you. 

Your Email of May 23^rd was addressed to the CAO, I was copied as you indicated for my information. Email or correspondence etiquette would suggest that if you require a response that you include me in the To: line or specifically request a response from me. I believe the CAO provided a suitable response of which I had nothing further to provide.

We have also instructed the Ribfest through the special events committee to have a 6 m access route in front the units for the same level of access when that route is closed. See Photo (Ribfest setup and Route)

I am very worried about the placement of 4 large cookers on asphalt on Ramsay Street and the fact that tables will be set up in a confined space behind the Dalhousie, Ramsay, Richmond, Murray Street businesses and apartments.  What effect will this have on emergency vehicles access, when all these streets will be closed? 

I have attached a Photo of the approved layout to illustrate that our needs have been met and that a repository for the Oil and Grease are in an approved location. TSSA (Technical Standards and Safety Authority) will be inspecting the cookers and associated equipment for proper set up prior to use.as is required in Ontario Legislation.

Please note, that as a Councillor for the Town of Amherstburg, I am copying the Amherstburg Residents Forum to inform them, that I am asking these questions on their behalf as well as my concerns, regarding these important issues.