Fire and Emergency Services

Rescue and Operations

Responsible for the third line of defense, Emergency Response, and provide pre-hospital medical care (defibrillation, standard first aid,  CPR, symptom relief). 

• Protection for an area​​​ of 333 sq. kms and a population of 28,000 residents
• Serviced by three (3) Firehouses and a compliment of one hundred and fifty (150) dedicated volunteer firefighters.

• Fire suppression services delivered in both an Offensive and Defensive mode, including search and rescue operations, forcible entry, ventilation, protecting exposures, salvage, and overhaul as appropriate.
• Offensive and Defensive modes of delivery (Strategies) include:
  • Rescue Ops
  • Forcible Entry
  • Ventilation
  • Protection from Exposure
  • Salvage and Overhaul
• Emergency pre-hospital medical care will be provided such as defibrillation, standard first aid, CPR, symptom relief, at the Emergency First Responder level.
• Specialized Rescue capabilities include the following:  vehicle rescue, trench rescue at the Awareness Level, rope rescue, ice/water rescue and hazardous material response up to the Operations Level and large animal rescue.

• NFPA Standards:
  • 1670
  • 1006
  • 1720 
  • 1001
  • 1002
  • 1021
  • 1041
  • 1072
  • 1142
  • 1407

• FUS - Uninterrupted supply of water at a minimum of 400gpm for (120) minutes (Commercial)
• FUS - Uninterrupted supply of water at a minimum of 200gpm for (120) minutes (Residential)

How Much

• (#) of emergency responses / type
• (#) residential fire alarm responses vs. (#) of commercial fire alarm responses

How Well / Better Off

• (#) of fires by source location
• (#) of residential structure fire responses in compliance with NFPA timelines / type (urban, suburban, rural, remote)

Inspections and Investigations

Provision and management of fire prevention and investigations initiatives/operations to reduce the threat to life and property due to the adverse effects of fire. Compliance and enforcement management in accordance with the FPPA and Ontario Fire Code and for Fire Investigations including origin and cause.

• 24/7 intake of burning complaints
• Quarterly inspections per year per school
• Annual business inspections
• Commercial and industrial – quarterly inspections
• Occupancy fire safety inspections
• Investigations completed after every fire incident or in response to complaints

• Emergency burning complaints responded to within (1) hour
• Investigations completed within (2) business days of an incident or complaint
• Statutory reporting on incident origin and cause

How Much

• (#) of inspections completed
• (#) of investigations completed

How Well / Better Off

• (#) Hrs. spent on investigations by type

Administration

Administration and effective management of all Fire Protection services, issuance of burn and sale of fireworks permits, and responsible for the care and protection of facilities, equipment, materials, services, and supplies.

• Burn and Sale of Fireworks Permits
• Annual (1) month Emergency Preparedness Campaign including promotional content via all Township communication outlets, SpeaKING digital engagements and FES demonstrations
• Management and coordination of volunteer recruitment, onboarding, and training
• Management of Fire Underwriters Superior Tanker Shuttle Service (STSS)

• NFPA Standards
  • 1006 
• Sale of Fireworks permits allowed (7) days in advance of Victoria Day, Canada Day, Diwali.
• Burn Permit applications for new applicants processed within (2) business days
• Burn Permit applications for recurrent applicants processed within (1) business days
• 20 recruitments (volunteer FFs) per year; recruitment initiates in October with training commencement the following January
• Fire Underwriters Survey portal entry updates as required, annual reaccreditation 
• Superior Tanker Shuttle Service Accreditation re-certification every (5) years

How Much

• (#) of burn and fireworks permit applications received
• (#) of Customer Cases cases triaged

How Well / Better Off

• (%) of rejected burn / firework permit applications due to non-compliance

Emergency Management

Management of public safety through enhanced risk understanding and proactive emergency preparedness planning. Implements and continuously improves corporate and community emergency management and Township business continuity to ensure delivery of critical and essential municipal services in times of an emergency.

• Development and implementation of the (5) year Emergency Plan
• Administration of the Township’s Emergency Management Program
  • Centralized Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), coordination and training
  • Emergency Management Team (internal) has the authority to initiate an EOC at any time
  • Hazard Identification Risk Assessment (HIRA) ongoing throughout the year
  • Emergency Management Team responses dictated by Emergency Activation Levels
  • Mutual Aid agreement within York Region – aid provided at the discretion of Chief / Deputy (Township service levels must be maintained in order to provide aid)  
•  (2) standby-generators installed at the following facilities (managed by Facilities):
  • Trisan Centre
  • King City Fire Hall

• Emergency Plan reviewed annually (updated as needed upon review)
• Emergency Management Program
  • Annual hazard identification risk assessment (HIRA) review with York Region and N6 partners
  • Annual statutory reporting
• Annual review and update of Business Continuity Plan 

Life and Safety Education

Delivery of public education events and programs to promote fire and life safety practices, and fire prevention.

• All Hazards Recognition Trailer for residents and children at Township events and public education programs
• Fire extinguisher training program offered by request only
• Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Installations – per request OR as identified via Township-wide home visit campaigns 
• Annual (ongoing) Door to Door Smoke Alarm Program
• Year-round 911 Sign Program includes Township wide canvassing for sign erection / condition
• Bi-annual Community Preparedness Presentations

• (1-3) fire truck visits per elementary school / year
• Community Preparedness presentations given in May during Emergency Preparedness week and in October during Fire Prevention Week 

How Much

• (#) of homes visited for the smoke alarm campaign program
• (#) of educations opportunities by type of opportunity

How Well / Better Off

• (%) of homes visited for smoke alarm campaign program in compliance vs. (%) non-compliant