Bradford is making changes to help ensure access for firefighters and other first responders.
Based on a report from Fire Chief Michael Rozario, and Brent Lee, director of corporate services, committee of the whole recommended Jan. 21 that council approve a new fire route bylaw which updates the town’s standards.
The report explains fire routes are designated areas intended to allow quick access to buildings for emergency vehicles and easy access to water supply, which “play a vital role” in improving response times for first responders and without which there could be “devastating outcomes.”
“I’m certainly in support of this so we protect our residents and protect our businesses from any further damage when it comes to a fire,” Mayor James Leduc said.
While fire routes are already required under the building code and Planning Act, the report explains the process of designating the fire route is done through a municipal bylaw. As a result, the new fire route bylaw is intended to standardize the process for designing, designating and signing a fire route while also allowing for enforcement if a fire route is blocked by a vehicle or other material.
If approved, the bylaw could see anyone parked in a fire route face a ticket of $350 under the town’s administrative monetary penalty system, and anyone blocking the fire route with other materials could face compliance orders and/or charges under the Provincial Offences Act.
The bylaw also sets out conditions for auditing and redesignating existing fire routes.
No new staff are needed to enforce the bylaw, according to the report.
Recommendations from committee of the whole are considered for approval at the next regular council meeting.