Quebec firefighters who drowned in water rescue lacked training, says workplace safety board
Report highlights need for mandatory water safety training for firefighters
A lack of training, preventive planning and poor response management resulted in the deaths of two firefighters last year, says Quebec's workplace health and safety board.
An investigation into the deaths of Régis Lavoie, 55, and Christopher Lavoie, 23, — who were not related — also found that they didn't use or have the proper equipment to intervene in a water rescue.
In May 2023, the part-time firefighters in the town of Saint-Urbain, located 100 kilometres northeast of Quebec City, were helping residents trapped by rising river levels when they were caught in the current.
The Commission des normes, de l'équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CNESST) released more details about their deaths on Thursday, confirming that the firefighters were swept away and submerged after their amphibious ATV became trapped against a tree by the current, while they were en route to a residence to carry out a rescue operation.
Since the municipality's boat was already being used for other operations, it was decided that the firefighters would use one of their own vehicles. The vehicle, which was equipped with tracks and an outboard motor, was used inappropriately said the CNESST, considering the firefighters were venturing into a large body of water with a strong current.
"The management of the response, both at the municipal and fire department level, has some gaps that led to the vehicle being put in the water," says CNESST inspector Caroline Pelchat.
She said the municipality has no specific plan for flood response even though it experiences annual floods.
The CNESST also found that the men were not wearing any flotation devices. It notes that the available life-jackets were not adjusted to be worn over firefighting equipment.
The report does not cast blame on the firefighters, instead pointing to the need for better training.
Last year, Régis Lavoie's family raised questions about whether he was prepared for the dangerous flooded environment he found himself in when he died. The two men were wearing heavy firefighting gear and were driving Regis's personal vehicle, the amphibious ATV.
"To prevent accidents during interventions on or near water, municipalities have to ensure their firefighters are properly trained and equipped to intervene in a secure manner," read the report.
Recommendation for flood response training
The safety board concludes that the municipality was not well prepared for emergency situations such as water rescue. The report notes the head of fire safety for the town wasn't made aware of his role in the municipality's security plan.
"Despite the forecast of rain, the municipality was not adequately prepared on May 1, 2023 to face the different possible hazards," read the report.
The board is recommending that Quebec's firefighting school address the issue of working near water through compulsory fire safety training courses in Firefighter 1 and 2 courses.
The CNESST is also recommending that the school develop or approve specific flood response training — and ensure that it is offered to municipalities.
In an emailed statement, Quebec's firefighting school, the École nationale des pompiers du Québec (ENPQ), said it is ready to review its training courses for interventions near water and will study the report and analyze its recommendations.
"ENPQ stays on the lookout for new fire safety techniques and standards, and adapts its training courses to reflect new realities in the field," read the statement.
It adds that the ENPQ has been awarded a $2.5-million subsidy by the government for the 2024-2025 to 2028-2029 financial framework, with the goal of enhancing its training offering in line with today's regional needs.
Quebec's Public Security Ministry should also develop guidelines to help regional authorities and local municipalities establish civil protection plans to reduce vulnerability to the risks of major disasters, the board says.
Saint-Urbain mayor Claudette Simard declined to comment on the report. She wishes to wait until the end of the public inquiry by the coroner's office, which will take place in the coming weeks.
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With files from Radio-Canada