Item - 2020.EC16.4

The Economic and Community Development Committee:

1.  Requested the Fire Chief and General Manager, Toronto Fire Services, the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, and the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, to provide signage and education materials in traditional Chinese language to promote safety and prevent misadventures at the Scarborough Bluffs.

The Fire Chief and General Manager, Toronto Fire Services, is reporting back to the Economic and Community Development Committee on a process to review and implement potential measures concerning misadventures along the Scarborough Bluffs including cost recovery measures for rescues. Parks, Forestry and Recreation, Municipal Licensing and Standards, and Toronto Fire Services will continue to work collaboratively to develop proactive strategies to prevent these misadventures.

The responsibility for promoting safety and preventing misadventures of the Scarborough Bluffs relies on the efforts of multiple City divisions working in collaboration. Current mitigation efforts include signage and fencing, public education focused on increasing awareness of safe park usage, and by-law enforcement. In the event the aforementioned measures fail to prevent misadventures, Toronto Fire Services responds. This report has identified that while possible, it is not recommended to implement fees for rescue efforts on a cost recovery basis arising from misadventures at the Scarborough Bluffs. Toronto Fire Services strongly believes that this would impact the public's view and trust in emergency services and may result in individuals hesitating to call for assistance for fear they will be subject to a fee. After the October 16, 2019 Economic and Community Development Committee meeting, staff identified and evaluated potential mitigation options to reduce misadventures. Through this review, a number of recent changes were identified that will allow for enhancements to the existing mitigation strategies.