Revisiting the Safety of Smart Meter Installations in British Columbia Analysis of Residential Structure Fires in BC between July 2010 and June 2013

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In June of 2011, BC Hydro commenced implementation of its Smart Metering Program, which involved converting every residential property in BC from legacy metering to wireless technology smart meters. This Smart Metering Program involves replacing existing electrical meters that are now becoming obsolete, with a comprehensive wireless smart metering system. As of August 2013 an … Read more

Targeting Marihuana Growing Operations in British Columbia

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Marihuana growing operations are an enduring crime and social problem for British Columbia. At the end of the 20th Century, the province had witnessed a surge in the number of marihuana growing operations coming to the attention of police forces. Growing in sophistication and increasingly moving indoors into residential neighbourhoods to avoid detection by law … Read more

Report on the Feasibility of a Canadian National Fire Information Database

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This document examines the feasibility of creating a National Fire Information Database for Canada. In pursuing this, we examined what data are currently collected and the structure of organizations responsible for maintaining national databases in other countries. Because of the allocation of jurisdictional responsibilities relating to the services provided by fire departments in Canada, creating, … Read more

Cleaning Up Former Drug Operations in our Residential Neighbourhoods

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Communities across British Columbia are conducting safety inspections of suspected marihuana grow operations and clandestine drug labs to address the health and safety hazards associated with these sites, including fire, unsafe structural alterations, illegal and unsafe wiring, mould and chemical spills. Marihuana grow operations are 24 times more likely to catch fire than a typical … Read more

Regulatory Options to Prevent the Unsafe Use of High-powered Hydroponic Equipment

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Both hobbyist gardeners and criminals who cultivate marihuana use the same types of high-powered hydroponic equipment in a residential setting, with no monitoring by authorities. The equipment’s power requirements (e.g., 1,000-watt bulbs and transformers) exceed a typical home’s electrical capacity, and therefore require professional installation. However, due to a lack of regulation, this installation is … Read more

Characteristics of Offenders Arrested on Outstanding Warrants by BC Transit Police Officers 2013

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The purpose of this research note is to describe the population of individuals arrested by BC Transit Police officers on outstanding warrants. This analysis is based on the 606 arrests for outstanding warrants made by BC Transit Police officers in 2011. Of these 606 arrests, 72% were as a result of officers simply doing fare … Read more

Surrey Fire Services’ Attendance Management Program

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The Surrey Fire Service introduced an Attendance Management Program (AMP) in 2003 to reduce employee absenteeism. The program outlines a procedure for managing unsatisfactory staff attendance, using a series of progressive steps that include letters, counseling and positive reinforcement. The first of its kind in the province, the program was a response to a gradual … Read more

Taller Wood Buildings and Fire Safety

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Recently, Vancouver architect, Michael Green, issued a report entitled Tall Wood, arguing that skyscrapers and other tall buildings should use more wood as a primary construction material. His argument is that wood is up to the task, is less polluting, and is more environmentally sustainable than the materials currently used. Green’s (2012) buildings would employ … Read more

What the Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations Overlook

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The Marihuana Medical Access Regulations (MMAR), which are currently administered by Health Canada, permit Canadians access to marihuana for medical use provided they have been deemed to require this medical treatment by a physician. The MMAR enable individuals to grow marihuana for themselves, empower a third- party to grow marihuana on their behalf, or purchase … Read more