Quebec firefighters who drowned in water rescue lacked training, says workplace safety board

A lack of training,preventive planning andpoor response management resulted in the deaths of two firefighters last year, saysQuebec's workplace health and safety board.

An investigation into the deaths of Rgis Lavoie, 55, and Christopher Lavoie, 23, who were not related also found that they didn't use or havethe proper equipment to intervene in a waterrescue.

In May 2023, the part-time firefighters in the town of Saint-Urbain, located 100kilometres 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'quit, de la sant et de la scurit du travail (CNESST) released more details about their deaths on Thursday, confirming that the firefighterswere swept away and submerged after their amphibious ATVbecame trapped against a tree by the current, while they were en route to a residence to carry out a rescue operation.

WATCH | Heavy rains struck Quebec's Charlevoixregion last spring:

RV swept away by rushing river slams into bridge in Quebec

1 year ago

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As heavy rain caused rivers to swell in Quebec's Charlevoix region, cell phone video captured a recreational vehicle floating down a rushing river in Baie-Saint-Paul, Que., and colliding with a bridge.

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 wasequipped with tracks and anoutboard motor,was used inappropriately said the CNESST, considering the firefighters were venturing into a large body of water with a strongcurrent.

"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 experiencesannual 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 doesnot cast blame on the firefighters, instead pointing to the need for better training.

Last year, Rgis Lavoie's family raised questions about whether he was prepared for the dangerous floodedenvironment 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 concludesthat the municipality was not well prepared for emergency situations such as water rescue. The report notesthe head of fire safety for the townwasn'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 recommendingthat Quebec's firefighting school address the issue of working near water through compulsory fire safety training courses in Firefighter 1 and 2 courses.

The CNESSTis also recommendingthat 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, thecole nationale des pompiers du Qubec (ENPQ), said itisready 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 thegoal ofenhancingits 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.