The Riverview Fire & Rescue Department has taken a significant step by introducing its first formal service mandate, endorsed by town council.
Fire Chief Robin True explains the service mandate is a step in formalizing a list of services the department has been providing for years.
“We hadn’t had a formal service mandate provided by the council before, so this is tying up a loose end,” True told our newsroom in an interview.
The mandate aligns with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 1710, which recommends municipal councils provide a written statement detailing the services required from their fire departments.
Findings from community risk assessment
In support of the proposed service mandate, a community risk assessment was conducted in early 2024.
Key findings from this assessment include:
- Riverview’s population is increasing and aging.
- Residents aged 65-74 have a 2.2 times greater risk of dying in a fire.
- Those aged 75-84 face a 3.1 times higher risk.
- Older single-family homes, now 35-50 years old, present higher fire risks.
- Expanding trail networks and their increased use add to the community’s risk profile.
- Riverview is bordered by forests with highly flammable softwood trees, posing a significant fire threat.
- There is a shift towards multi-unit residential buildings, necessitating different skills and equipment for firefighting.
- The department’s call volume increased by 89.5 per cent from 2021 to 2023, driven by medical calls, fire alarms, and motor vehicle collisions.
True said the department is planning a risk mitigation strategy this year that includes looking at fire prevention within the community.
He added that the Riverview Fire & Rescue will receive two new apparatus later this year, further enhancing their capabilities to address the evolving needs of the community.
“We appreciate the support from the council and the community,” True said.
“These steps will help us better serve Riverview as it continues to grow and change.”
