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:	February 10, 2004
	SUBJECT:	USE OF TORONTO FIRE SERVICES TRAINING FACILITIES

RECOMMENDATION:

That Council authorize the Mayor and or 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 April 19 until May 27, 2004.

BACKGROUND:

The Town of Markham Fire and Emergency Services Department needs to conduct scenario-based live fire response training. This type of training was last conducted in 2003. Realistic training needs to be conducted again in order to better prepare the Town’s firefighters for actual fire responses.

In order to provide as much realism as possible, Fire Department staff have made arrangements to rent fire training facilities from the Toronto Fire Services, Toronto East Command site at 4560 Sheppard Ave. East. The Town insurer has been consulted and it is possible for the Town to provide to the City of Toronto with a Certificate of Insurance demonstrating blanket contractual, tenant and cross coverage for $10 million.

However, 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 is working 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

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