Hanover Fire Department doing detailed review of service delivery model

For the first time, the Hanover Fire Department is conducting a review this spring with the hopes that it will highlight efficiencies and where the department can improve.

“It’s just a complete evaluation of our current service delivery model,” said Fire Chief Paul Wiebe, noting the department will be evaluated against the standards set forth by the National Fire Protection Association and best practices and workplace safety measures.

The review, by SeaHawk Consulting, will look at levels of service, leadership and administrative practices, staffing, recruiting, retention, training programs, risk assessment and hazard analysis and liabilities, occupational risks, fire station location, call volume, response times, apparatus and equipment, infrastructure, personal protective equipment, operating guidelines or procedures, bylaw, and budgets.

“We’re about halfway through, so we’re looking forward to seeing some results in the next month or two,” said Wiebe.

Wiebe has been wanting to do a review such as this from an outside third party for a couple of years. He said since the 1950s when the department came into being, it has grown, especially in the past 20 years.

“With the rate of growth that our municipality is moving at or is experiencing, it’s probably a good time to look at the overall operation just to see if there’s any overlap, any potential savings as well…see what we’re doing right, where we need improvements,” he said.

Wiebe said he doesn’t expect any fire hall closures to come out of the report, but there might be the establishment of a new fire hall, saying it all depends on the findings and what is approved by council.

The $90,000 evaluation will guide the department as it begins to craft its long-term plan.

“We’re hoping to put a 10, maybe even a 15-year master plan together,” said Wiebe, who stated the review might be done again every 10 or 15 years.

Wiebe has had a 35-year career as a firefighter and has been fire chief for 22 years, 11 of which have been spent leading Hanover’s fire department.

He said along with other fire departments in the Southeast, he feels Hanover is doing well.

“I think we’re doing quite well. As are all the other fire departments in the Southeast. I think we’re all at a really good place operationally…But I think we’re at a very good place. I think, like everyone else, we deliver quite a high standard of service…I can only see that improving.”