Fire Services

OPEN AIR BURNING  To access the Burning By-law, click on the following link and the PDF document will open:        By-law No. 2493/12 

Espanola Fire Services provides fire prevention information, services and programs. We conduct fire inspections, resolve fire safety concerns, enforce the Ontario Fire Code and specific municipal bylaws, issue permits, and review and approve construction plans for fire safety issues.

Espanola Fire Service provides fire and public safety education on a number of topics ranging from fire escape planning to seasonal safety. We provide public education to residents and students on fire safety to help minimize the number of incidents that occur.

Change Your Clocks, Change Your Batteries

Test your smoke alarms regularly by pressing the test button or by using smoke from a smoldering incense stick.

Replace batteries regularly. Install a new battery in each alarm at least once a year.

Maintain your alarm

Dust can clog a smoke alarm, so gently vacuum alarms every six months using a soft brush. Never vacuum electrically connected alarms unless you shut off the power. Test your unit when finished cleaning. When installing, testing, and maintaining smoke alarms, make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

All smoke alarms lose sensitivity as they get older. That’s why every unit comes with a 10 year life span.

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is an invisible, odourless gas that can be fatal.

CO is produced when fuels such as propane, natural gas, gasoline, heating oil or wood have insufficient air to burn completely. This can occur in any appliance or device that burns these fuels such as furnaces, fireplaces, hot water heaters or stoves.

Installing a CO alarm in the home will alert occupants to the presence of this deadly gas. These alarms are now law to have installed when you have any fossil fuel burning appliance  in your home.

If only one alarm is being installed, locate it near sleeping areas.

The following is a list of symptoms that may occur if an appliance is producing low levels of CO and has not activated the alarm. 

When exposed to low levels over a longer period of time you can have any of the following:

• Headache, nausea, burning eyes, fainting, confusion, drowsiness.
• Often mistaken for common ailments like the flu.
• Symptoms improve when away from the home for a period of time.
• Symptoms experienced by more than one member of the household.
• Continued exposure to higher levels may result in unconscious, brain damage and death.
• The elderly, children and people with heart or respiratory conditions may be particularly sensitive to carbon monoxide.

Have a Home Escape Plan

• Install smoke alarms on every storey and outside sleeping areas. It’s the law.
• Develop a home fire escape plan and practice it with the entire family.
• Make sure everyone knows two ways out of each room, if possible.
• Check that all exits are unobstructed and easy to use.
• Determine who will be responsible for helping young children, older adults or anyone else that may need assistance.
• Choose a meeting place outside, such as a tree or a lamp post, where everyone can be accounted for.
• If caught in smoke, get low and go under the smoke to the nearest safe exit.
• Call the fire department from outside the home, from a cell phone or a neighbour’s phone.
• Once out, stay out. Never re-enter a burning building.

Espanola Fire Services is responsible for implementing emergency preparedness strategies and ensuring that businesses and residents in the Town of Espanola have the necessary information to ensure personal preparedness prior to and during an emergency.

For more information, please contact the Community Emergency Management Coordinator at 705.869.3888 or review the Town's Emergency Response Plan.

We’ve Been Waiting for You

If you are:
• 18 years of age or older and live in Espanola
• Want to help others and serve your community
• Enjoy working as part of a team
• Enjoy ongoing learning both in the classroom and on the job

For More Information Contact:
Fire Chief Mike Pichor/Deputy Chief Henry Girard
P: 705.869.3888 
Fax: 705.869.6000

All firefighters will receive extensive training in the latest firefighting and rescue techniques.

Download the Volunteer Firefighter Application   

In 1970, the fire hall as we know it officially became operational. Prior to that, Espanola’s fire services had been managed by the local pulp and paper mill which is now owned by Domtar.

In earlier days prior the use of pagers, the mill’s steam whistle was used to alert firefighters of a fire call. A whistle-code was used to indicate what part of town the fire was in. For example, 3 short whistle blasts would identify a “mill fire” and 3 short and 1 long would indicate a fire in the downtown business section.
Over the years the Espanola Fire Service has had two Fire Chiefs since Chief Shore retired; Chief Ray Langlois and the current Chief, Mike Pichor. There have been three Deputy Chiefs; the first Deputy Chief Bourcier, the second Deputy Chief Jim Ramsay, and the current Deputy Chief, Henry Girard.  The total number of volunteer firefighters was originally 22 which was then expanded to 24 to accommodate the number of volunteers who were shift workers and unable to respond to fires. That number remained the same until 2006 when it was increased to 28 due to the Ontario Fire Marshal’s requirements. Although many of the original volunteers have passed away, some retired firefighters still stop by and visit the fire hall from time to time.