DND Fire and Safety Requirements

• All volunteers at Rocky Point are required to know and are subject to the personal and environmental safety requirements put forth by DND. Please read these before coming out to the station and review them from time to time.

DND Safety Briefing 2010

You shall accept full responsibility for ensuring adherence and compliance with all regulations.

You shall ensure that you use the property for the purpose described in the permit and for no other purposes whatsoever. 

The Permit is valid only for specific activities in the specified areas and for the dates identified on the Permit.

You must comply with DND policies, such as Range Standing Orderss

There will be arranged site visits and periodic spot checks by ESAC and Range Control staff to monitor your permit activities. 

Safety - Hazards

UXO, (Unexploded Ordinances) - DO NOT pick up any metallic, unfamiliar or unusual objects that do not belong to you, report it to Range Control - That’s our job, not yours.

HAZMAT – All vehicles entering CFB Esquimalt Ranges and Training Areas must be equipped with a spill kit or groups must have a spill kit capable of dealing with all the vehicles in their group.

Danger Area Templates – All the Ranges and some of the Training Areas have danger area templates within their boundaries. These templates are the safety zones for active ranges and no one can enter them when that range is in use or active.

Wildlife

CFB Esquimalt areas have Bears and Cougars inhabiting them.

If you encounter dangerous wildlife please contact Range Control

If you come across sick, abandoned or injured wildlife please contact the Pacific Forestry Centre.

 

The following is taken from the Ministry of Environment Website and provides direction in the event you encounter a cougar or bear:

Cougar Encounters - The following are guidelines in the event that you do encounter a cougar:

• Stay calm and keep the cougar in view. 

• Pick up children immediately - children frighten easily, the noise and movements they make could provoke an attack. 

• Back away slowly, ensuring that the animal has a clear avenue of escape. 
• Make yourself look as large as possible. 
• Keep the cougar in front of you at all times.
• Never run or turn your back on a cougar.  Sudden movement may provoke an attack.
• If a cougar shows interest or follows you, respond aggressively.  Maintain eye contact with the cougar, show your teeth and make loud noise.  Arm yourself with rocks or sticks as weapons.  Crouch down as little as possible when bending down to pick up things off of the ground.
• If a cougar attacks, fight back.  Convince the cougar you are a threat and not prey.  Use anything you can as a weapon.  Focus your attack on the cougar's face and eyes.

For more information, visit the provincial website at: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/cos/info/wildlife_human_interaction/docs/cougars.html

Bear Encounters - The following are guidelines in the event that you do encounter a bear:

• Reduce the chance of surprising a bear.

• Always check ahead for bears in the distance. If one is spotted, make a wide detour and leave the area immediately.
• Make warning noises and loud sounds.
• Watch for bear sign: tracks, droppings, overturned rocks, rotten trees torn apart, clawed, bitten or rubbed trees, bear trails, fresh diggings or trampled vegetation.
• Stay clear of dead wildlife.
• Take note of signs that may indicate carrion - such as circling crows or ravens, or the smell of rotting meat.
• Carcasses attract bears. Leave the area immediately!
• Report the location of dead wildlife to DND staff.

In general:

• Never approach or feed bears.

• If you have an encounter with a bear, please leave the area immediately and report it to DND staff as soon as possible.

For additional information, visit the provincial website at: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/misc/bears/bearsaf.html

 

Safety - Emergencies

• All groups must have at least one cellular phone with them.

• If calling 911 from a cellular phone at Rocky Point and some areas of Albert Head, tell the operator you are calling from Victoria, as the call usually goes to Port Angeles.

• If at Rocky Point, contact the commissionaire at the main gate, so they can call the appropriate emergency groups.

• If you see or start a fire, call 911 - be sure to say that you are calling from Victoria--many calls will go to the 911 in Port Angeles--, or the commissionaire if at Rocky Point.

• All vehicles must be equipped with a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit, or groups must have a large first aid kit with them.

• All groups must have an emergency plan as follows:

Those alone must have a check in time with someone who knows:

Where they are, when they left and what they’re wearing;

 

Groups must have a set meeting place in the event of an emergency. For RPBO, there are two meeting places: in the event of an emergency which does not require leaving the site, meet at the banding station; in the event of an emergency which does require leaving the site (e.g. a fire), meet at the gatehouse. Do not leave the area without notifying the Bander-in-charge unless directed to do so by military or emergency personnel. If you must leave, ensure that your departure is noted by the commissionaires at the gate.

Groups must have a list of all who are out with them; and

• Everyone in a group must be aware of what the emergency plan is.

• Reporting - In the event of an emergency contact the appropriate first responders’ immediately then contact Range Control ASAP.

• All accidents (personal or environmental) must be reported to Range Control and anything that requires police involvement, such as vehicle accidents or theft, must be reported to and administered by the military police, (number provided below).

• Any observed environmental impacts must be reported to the Pacific Forestry Centre.

Restrictions - General

• A limit may be placed on number of vehicles entering DND property, recommend car pooling to and from site from sites.

• No motorized vehicles or equipment are used on the Property unless authorized.  Parking will occur only in designated areas.  Vehicles may NOT be taken off road or onto closed roads. 

• Parking is only authorised in designated areas, keep all roads and access points clear – [The parking area for the boat shed and launch in Rocky Point Area-B, is restricted to DND vehicles only].

• Smoking is only authorised in non flammable areas, (on roads, parking lots…) and only during low and moderate fire conditions. RPBO policy prohibits smoking on site.

• No pets or unauthorised animals may be taken onto DND lands.

• You may not construct any facilities (buildings, structures, sheds or shelters) on the Property.

Restrictions – Environmental

• Procedures and methods must be minimally disruptive to the natural environment of the area.

• Ensure that no plants, animals or other material are damaged, destroyed or removed from the Property, unless it has been authorized in your permit.

• You may not collect or conduct research on any wildlife species listed in the Species at Risk Act, unless it has been authorized in your permit.  If you are conducting research on any SARA-listed species, a copy of your SARA permit must be provided to the ESAC.

• Ensure that no foreign objects, animals or other material are introduced to or deposited on the Property, unless it has been authorized in your permit.

Seibert Stakes

• Seibert Stakes (Figure 1) have been installed at Rocky Point – Area B and Albert Head to identify sensitive areas and to establish a perimeter of No-Go Zones.
• The stakes are approximately 6 feet tall; the white, red and yellow tube is 17 inches long.

Figure 1. Seibert Stakes
 
Outside No Go Zone                                 Inside No Go Zone

• When Seibert Stakes are approached the red and yellow sticker will appear with no vertical white stripe visible.  However, if you enter a No-Go Zone, the Seibert Stakes will have a vertical white stripe through the red and yellow sicker (Figure 1).  To transit around a No-Go Zone, simply follow the stakes around the perimeter.

• If a No-Go Zone is entered:
1. Stop;
2. Assess the situation and inspect for damage to the avoidance area;
3. Exit the location the way you came in; and
4. Notify the Pacific Forestry Centre ASAP.
   • Please be aware that not all no-go zones and sensitive sites are marked with Seibert Stakes in the field.  Refer to the Natural Resources Map Series maps for each property to identify sensitive areas around your study sites.  

 

Wetlands Preservation

• Wetland areas, including water bodies, streams and the adjacent riparian area are protected under the Fisheries Act. 

• Activities in these areas should avoid damaging vegetation and activities that cause sedimentation in the water; these areas are outlined on the Natural Resources Map Series for DND properties. 

• Any observed environmental impacts or sediment in local waterways must be reported to the Pacific Forestry Centre.

Cultural Sites

1. Red flagged areas (Figure 2) mark Sensitive Zones at Albert Head and Rocky Point - Area B and are indicated on the Sensitive Area maps.  In areas where flags are visible do not physically alter or disturb the immediate landscape including the groundcover, boulders and soil.  Report disturbances in these areas to the Pacific Forestry Centre.

Figure 2.  30 Inch High Red Flag Indicating Sensitive Zone.

• In the past, artefacts and burial sites with significant First Nation’s cultural importance and items with heritage value have been found on DND property.  If items or artefacts are discovered that are suspected of having archaeological or heritage value, stop activity in the area immediately and report the location to Formation Environment. 

 

• Please be aware that not all cultural sites are marked in the field; Refer to the Natural Resources Map Series maps for each property to identify sensitive areas around your study sites. In these areas, please be especially sensitive to avoid any disturbances to the features present.

Culturally Modified Trees (CMT) and Wildlife Trees

• Culturally Modified Trees are marked with (blue or yellow) tape (Figure 3) around the tree and Wildlife Trees are marked with a labelled tag.  Do not cut, nail, climb, or damage these trees.

 

Figure 3.  Culturally Modified Tree.

 

Hazard Trees

• If you encounter hazard trees, or if trees have fallen across trails that you use in your research, please contact the Pacific Forestry Centre.

• A hazard tree is any tree that is leaning, lodged in another tree, rotten, burned or dead, and that has the potential to fall and cause injury to people or damage to infrastructure.  Some large limbs on trees may also be hazardous if they are dead, rotten or partially broken.

 

• ESAC permit holders are advised to stay at least a tree-length away from hazard trees, and may not move fallen trees. Stay well away from areas with hazard trees during periods of wind. Stay away from all wooded areas during heavy winds. 

• Identified hazard trees will be assessed and either topped and retained as wildlife trees, or if it is not safe to retain them, they will be felled.

 

ESAC Research Plots

• ESAC researchers are encouraged to label their research installations (i.e. plots, cages, traps, etc.).  ‘RESEARCH IN PROGRESS’ signs (Figure 4) are available from the Pacific Forestry Centre. 

• Please do not disturb any research plots or installations that do not belong to you.

 

Figure 4.  RESEARCH IN PROGRESS sign.

Access Control – General

• Access is only granted based on authorised lists, which must be approved through an ESAC Permit or a permit amendment; requests for permit amendments must be sent to Andrea Schiller.

• All persons entering DND property must have valid picture ID with them and must be prepared to show a copy of the Permit on request.

• Personnel must sign in and out with the commissionaire at the main gate for Rocky Point and with Range Control in building 1030 for Albert Head.

• To prevent possible conflicts and to protect from security breaches, there may be no access to any of the ranges or training areas when they are in use.

CONTACT INFORMATION

PHONE NUMBERS:

Range Control Duty Pager                            (250) 978-3778

Rocky Point Commissionaires                       (250) 363-5139

CFB Esquimalt Military Police                       (250) 363-5546

EMAIL ADDRESS:

Range Control                         RangeControl AT forces.gc.ca