REPORT TO COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
	TO:	Mayor and Members of Council
	FROM:	Don McClean, Fire Chief
	PREPARED BY:	Shayne Mintz, Deputy Fire Chief
	DATE OF MEETING:	March 8, 2005
	SUBJECT:	USE OF TORONTO FIRE SERVICES TRAINING FACILITIES

RECOMMENDATION:

That Council authorize the Mayor and Clerk to sign a Permission, Release, Covenant and Indemnification to the City of Toronto and the Toronto Fire Services respecting the use of Toronto Fire Services training facilities for training exercises by Town of Markham firefighters, in a form satisfactory to the Town Solicitor.

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this report is to have Council endorse the indemnification of the City of Toronto and the Toronto Fire Services in order to allow Markham firefighters to use Toronto Fire Services training facilities from March 29 until April 21, 2005.

BACKGROUND:

The Town of Markham Fire and Emergency Services Department needs to conduct scenario-based live fire response training. This type of training is conducted annually since the program began in 2003. Realistic training needs to be conducted again in order to better prepare the Town’s firefighters for actual fire responses. As is done annually, Fire Department staff rent the Toronto Fire Services training facilities at 4560 Sheppard Ave. East.

A condition of this arrangement is the approval of the Mayor and council that the Town provide the City of Toronto with a Certificate of Insurance demonstrating blanket contractual, tenant and cross coverage for $10 million. In addition to the insurance coverage, the City of Toronto also requires Markham Council endorsement indemnifying the City of Toronto from any liability claims arising from the use of its training facilities by Markham firefighters. The City of Toronto has provided a form of Permission, Release, Covenant and Indemnification that it requires the Town to execute.

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

In the event an accident does occur, Markham firefighters are covered under Workers Compensation and the Town’s insurance coverage.

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

The Legal Services Department has been consulted and works with solicitors from the City of Toronto to meet the needs of Toronto. The Clerk’s Department has arranged and has provided the Certificate of Insurance for the additional insurance coverage through the Town’s insurance provider.

Shayne Mintz Deputy Fire Chief	Don McClean Fire Chief
Jim Sales, Commissioner Community & Fire Services