Item - 2019.EC8.18

The Economic and Community Development Committee:

1.  Requested the Fire Chief and General Manager, Toronto Fire Services, in consultation with the Acting Chief, Toronto Paramedic Services, the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards and the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to report to the April 8, 2020 Economic and Community Development Committee meeting on a process to review and implement potential measures concerning misadventures along the Scarborough Bluffs, including the potential to implement fees for rescue efforts on a cost recovery basis arising from such misadventures, and the creation of new or amendment of existing offences and fines concerning the unauthorized access or use of the Scarborough Bluffs.

The City of Toronto should develop a process to review and implement potential measures to address cost recovery for emergency services provided to individuals arising from misadventure and potential effort to discourage individuals from participating in dangerous behavior along the Scarborough Bluffs through imposition of fines.

Rescues by misadventure along the Scarborough Bluffs are on the rise in so much that the City of Toronto launched a campaign to highlight the issue noting that "Rescue incidents at the Scarborough Bluffs require a significant number of resources that can't be deployed to other emergencies. Mind the signs/fencing when admiring the Bluffs. Crossing into restricted areas/climbing the Bluffs is dangerous and illegal. #dontgetstuckonthebluffs"

The campaign provided a chart demonstrating that 16 rescues along the Scarborough Bluffs took place in 2018, dispatching 413 firefights, 25 paramedic units, utilizing over 382 staff hours and dispatching 123 fire service vehicles.  The actions of these individuals are placing a strain on our city resources diverting staff from other unforeseen emergencies.

In an effort to discourage individuals from participating in dangerous behavior along the Scarborough Bluffs the City of Toronto should develop a process to review and implement measures to fine individuals for rescues by misadventure.