About Us
Our mission is to protect life, property, and the environment in Port Colborne through education, prevention, investigation, training, rescue, fire suppression, dangerous goods, containment, and life support services.
Our Fire Prevention Division ensures life safety through education, inspections and enforcement.
Our fire service is a composite department consisting of full time and volunteer fire fighters.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer firefighter, please visit the City of Port Colborne’s Human Resources page for recruitment opportunities.
Port Colborne Fire and Emergency Services is regulated by By-law No. 6745/109/19.
Response Area
Fire & Emergency Services is responsible for responding to emergencies across an area of 51 square miles as well as servicing over 19,000 residents. Our department actively participates in the Regional Mutual Aid System and is dispatched by the City of St. Catharines Fire Department as part of the regional wide enhanced 911 system.
Fire Inspections
| Request an Inspection |
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The owner of a property may request a fire safety inspection. Inspections that are conducted by Port Colborne Fire & Emergency Services may be subject to fees in accordance with the City of Port Colborne by-law to establish fees and charges for various services. |
| Complaint Inspection |
| If you have reason to believe that a property within the City of Port Colborne does not comply with the Ontario Fire Code, or if there are fire hazards, you may file a complaint
Anonymous complaints will not be addressed. Personal information is collected in accordance with Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Inspections that are conducted by Port Colborne Fire & Emergency Services may be subject to fees in accordance with the City of Port Colborne by-law to establish fees and charges for various services. |
| Open Air Burn Inspection (Farmers) |
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As per By-law No.6788/38/20, no person shall conduct or permit to be conducted an open air burning within the boundaries of Port Colborne unless permission has first been granted by the Fire Chief or their designate. Inspections that are conducted by Port Colborne Fire & Emergency Services may be subject to fees in accordance with the City of Port Colborne by-law to establish fees and charges for various services. |
| Book an Inspection |
| If you require an inspection complete the Request for Inspection Form. |
Education
| Port Colborne Annual Community Safety Day |
| In May of each year, Port Colborne Fire & Emergency Services hosts a fun-filled community safety day for the whole family at no cost. We host a bicycle rodeo where your child can bring their bike and be taught bicycle safety. |
| Fire Prevention Week |
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Fire Prevention Week occurs in the week of October 9 of each year. Fire Prevention Week teaches you what you can do to prevent fires from happening and prevent fire-related injuries and deaths. The Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management (OFMEM) announces the National Fire Protection Association theme each year. Our Fire Service also hosts a day during Fire Prevention Week kick-off where your family can participate in fire prevention activities at no cost. Sparky is always on hand for your special photos. |
| Port Colborne Fire & Emergency Services educational safety programs |
| Port Colborne Fire & Emergency Services offers several educational safety programs that are available to the residents of Port Colborne. Programs include classroom public education, fire extinguisher training, smoke alarm program, and more. |
| Public Education Request Form |
| If you are interested in one of our fire safety presentations, complete the Public Education Request Form. You must book a presentation at least three weeks in advance of the date. |
911 Emergency Signage
| 911 Signage (Rural Areas) |
| Do you live in a rural area and have a green municipal address sign in front of your home?
These signs are very important during an emergency. Emergency Services (police, ambulance and fire) use these signs to locate your home when an emergency call is placed from 911. It is very difficult to see house numbers on your home when you are set so far back from the road. Time is everything and a civic address at the driveway of your home could make all the difference. Is your green municipal address sign missing or damaged? Contact Port Colborne Fire & Emergency Services to make us aware. We will have a new sign installed after locates are made. |
| Emily Project - FARM 911 - Municipal Addressing |
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The Emily Project - FARM 911 permits address signage to be installed on rural farm lands that normally do not have civic addresses. The address signs help to provide a street address location in case of an emergency, which can lead to a more efficient and effective emergency service response. Think of this scenario, you just broke down on the side of the road out in the country, all you can see for miles is farmland, how do you notify someone that you require assistance, let them know where you are. The Emily Project - FARM 911 will help tremendously in this situation. Property owners of rural farm lands can now submit an application to have a FARM 911 addressing sign installed. HOW TO APPLY: The application fee per address sign is $122.93 (including HST) Applications can be submitted on-line by completing the Emily Project - FARM 911 - Application Form. PAPER APPLICATION:
ABOUT THE EMILY PROJECT This program is inspired by the Emily Project, in memory of Emily Trudeau. Farm accidents can occur in the most remote locations, making it difficult for first responders to easily locate the situation. In the event of an emergency, no one should have to wait helplessly for first responders to find them. Time is everything and an address at the entrance to a vacant farm land could make all the difference. Learn more about the Emily Project - FARM 911 (https://www.farm911.ca/) |
| Carbon Monoxide |
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Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless, tasteless, toxic gas that enters the body through the lungs during the normal breathing process. It replaces oxygen in the blood and prevents the flow of oxygen to the heart, brain and other vital organs. More information on carbon monoxide symptoms and alarms can be found on our Carbon Monoxide Page. |
| Fireworks |
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Before you decide to purchase and use fireworks, ensure you know the laws and your space, and please read all the instructions. There are only a few days a year that you are allowed to use fireworks in the City of Port Colborne and usually there is a public display of fireworks scheduled. More information on by-laws and permits can be found on our Fireworks Page. |
| Home Fire Escape Plan |
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A home fire escape plan is a map of your house that shows how to get out when there is smoke or fire. It is important to have one and know it well so that you and your family can escape in case of an emergency. Once a fire has started, you may have only seconds to safely escape your home! Identify all possible exits (doors and windows) and make sure they work. Everyone must know what to do when the smoke alarm sounds
Practice your home fire escape plan
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| Smoke Alarms |
| Every home in Ontario must have a working smoke alarm on every story and outside all sleeping areas. This applies to all single family, semi-detached, and town homes, whether owner occupied or rented. A working smoke alarm in the home gives you early warning of a fire. Most fatal fires happen at night when people are sleeping.
Remember to replace smoke alarms that are more than 10 years old. Smoke alarms do not last forever. More information on smoke alarms can be found on our Smoke Alarm Page. |
| The Arson Prevention Program for Children (TAPP-C) |
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TAPP-C is a program that brings fire service and counseling professionals together to help families deal with children and teens involved in fire-play. The fire service educates children and their families about fire and helps in the development of good fire safety practices. Counseling professionals asses the risk of continued fire involvement and help children and their families deal with the issues that may add to fire setting behaviour. TAPP-C is free of charge and is available to children from 2-17 years of age. View more information on the Arson Prevention Program for Children. |
| Wood Burning Appliances |
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Do you have a fireplace in your home?
Many people do, a fireplace can make a house very cozy on a cold day.
Is your woodstove or fireplace insert safe?
Improperly installed and maintained wood stoves and fireplaces can lead to dangerous conditions that put you, your family and neighbours at risk.
View additional safety tips.
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| Open Air Burning and Recreational Fires |
Recreational Fires (campfire)Every person is permitted to conduct a campfire providing it meets the following criteria: Minimum distance from buildings, property lines and combustible materials of not less than 3 m (10') Minimum of 5 m (16.5') vertical clearance from the top of the fire pit to combustibles Not be larger that 1 m (3') in diameter and a height of .6 m (2')
Review the top 10 violations of a recreational fire (camp fire). Non-Recreational Open Air BurningFarmers wishing to burn fruit tree clippings and brush must follow the non-recreational open air burning guidelines.
Important NoticeFailure to adhere to any of the above noted guidelines or failure to receive approval for fires will result will result in a fee as set out in the City's Fee Schedule. For further clarification review By-law No. 6788/38/20 open air burning and recreational fires. Fire BansThe Fire Chief may declare a complete ban of any burning of any kind in the City. |
Contact Information
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