The Community Property Safety Team was developed to address the problem of fires occurring in unsecured vacant properties.
The Community Property Safety Team (CPST) is a bold, innovative and proactive approach to reducing fire risk in the City of Edmonton.
Utilizing the National Fire Code - 2023 Alberta Edition (Division B Section 2.4.6.1) and the Municipal Government Act, the CPST is responsible for securing and holding landowners accountable for unsecured and vacant buildings that pose a fire risk to the surrounding community.
If owners do not comply with an order issued by an Edmonton Fire Prevention Officer, the work will be carried out on the behalf of the owner with all costs charged to the owner's tax roll. Securement requirements can include robust board-up procedures, fencing, and up to 24/7 security patrols ordered through an escalating model of enforcement.
Community Property Safety Team Process
The Community Property Safety Team Process follows an escalating model of enforcement. The model includes extremely thorough boarding, fencing, intermittent on-site security and up to 24/7 on-site security, all billed to the non-compliant property owner. If a property owner fails to pay the invoice, the amount owing will be added to their tax roll account.
Property owners have the option of boarding up the properties themselves, which the City will accept as long as rigorous standards are met. If an owner has complied with the order to secure their property, the property will be placed on a monitoring list to ensure that compliance with the order is maintained.
In extreme cases (under specific circumstances) and only with approval from the Deputy Fire Chief of Public Safety, the CPST can order demolitions.
The expected result of the escalation model is that voluntary, owner-initiated demolition or securement will become common, as property owners will likely want to avoid the cost-intensive security options.
Definition
A vacant building is considered unsecured if the structure has any openings that allow for unauthorized entry such as windows or doors.
A building is considered unsecured if there is an unauthorized person inside, if there is evidence of unauthorized people having been in the building, or if there is a way for an authorized person to access the building.
This applies to both residential and commercial buildings.
The Concern
Fires in unsecured vacant properties have been identified as the most dangerous fire problem facing Edmontonians and firefighters.
All of the fires that occur in these properties are caused, either intentionally or unintentionally, by illegal occupants. Securing these properties will drastically reduce fire frequency at these properties.
Reporting an Unsecured Vacation Property
Call 311 (780-442-5311 outside of Edmonton)
Email communitypropertysafetyteam@edmonton.ca
Include
- Name and contact information of the person reporting the property
- Address of the property in question
- Description of the building including supporting details confirming it is unsecured and vacant
A Fire Prevention Officer will open an investigation into the complaint within 3 business days of the initial call.