Member of Northumberland County Council Says Enforcing Fire Code at Transition House “Quite Silly”
(Today’s Northumberland file photo)
By Cecilia Nasmith/Today’s Northumberland
Following this week’s press release from the Town of Cobourg announcing orders issued in connection with fire-safety violations at Northumberland County’s homeless shelter at 310 Division St., a discussion of the details was held at Wednesday’s county council meeting.
Northumberland Chief Administrative Officer Jennifer Moore offered details of the complaints and of modifications made to operations as a result.
Though the orders had been issued by the town’s bylaw-enforcement officers, they related to the fire code – largely about people sleeping in the recliners in the downstairs warming hub in spite of no sleeping being allowed there,
“It’s been generally understood for a period of time that people would nod off, they would get some rest for short periods,” Moore said.
“It’s a room that is active and busy. The lights are on, the TV is on, people are coming and going. It’s not set up for permanent sleeping in any way, but people would sleep from time to time – and that was found to be an infraction and not strictly compliant with the fire code.”
While the bylaw requires a staffing ratio of one to every 10 clients, Moore pointed out that staffing ratios vary across the province between 1:10 and 1:20, putting Cobourg’s requirements on the high end. At the time of the inspection at 310 Division St., the staffing ratio worked out to 1:10.75.
“And there was also security on-site, but they are not included in the count for purposes of the fire plan,” Moore said. She added that there may also have been confusion with staffers who were present misidentifying themselves as duty managers.
She also acknowledged confusion over who carries they keys for the two-phase fire alarm, promising more education in this regard.
Given current staffing challenges, Moore said that their mandated capacity under bylaw regulations will sometimes be less than their maximum capacity.
“With respect to sleeping, we did make the decision we would put more tables and chairs into the warming area and remove the recliners, so it’s less conducive to folks getting that type of rest. When they are in the warming hub, they do need to remain awake,” she said.
“We have reached out to the town staff to have meetings to say what we can do to try and move forward, and restore that use of the warming hub. It’s still open and available, but in a slightly different format at the moment.”’
Councillors in attendance were dismayed at the crackdown on the odd warming-hub resident nodding off, Councillor Mandy Martin terming it “quite silly.”
“I hang out a fair bit at Victoria Hall for Art Gallery matters and other events, and I have observed people nodding off in the foyer of Victoria Hall, and I wonder how strictly Cobourg enforces their bylaw at Victoria Hall,” Councillor Mandy Martin said.
“I find this whole thing really quite ridiculous, if you want to know the truth.
“These are people we are gearing up to rehabilitate, to give a leg up, and they are not allowed to sit in a recliner and nod off.
“Who are these sleep police?”
“I think if we are going to force them out of there, where are they going to go?” Councillor John Logel asked.
“We are just asking for an encampment.”
“I complete agree,” stated Port Hope Councillor Todd Attridge, who was filling in for Mayor Olena Hankivsky.
“The purpose of the building is to make sure we are caring for people and of course, as human beings, they will nod off.”
