Fire protection in the Township of Rideau Lakes is provided by 4 fire stations, 15 fire vehicles and 80 volunteers. In addition to this, fire protection in the ward of South Elmsley is provided under contract agreement with the Smiths Falls Fire Department.
The Rideau Lakes Fire Department provides a range of services which include: fire suppression, fire prevention and public education, search and rescue, ice water rescue, auto extrication and medical aid. All four fire stations within Rideau Lakes are capable of providing emergency medical first response, including defibrillation.
Fire Chief - Jay DeBernardi
Township of Rideau Lakes
1439 County Road 8, Delta, Ontario K0E 1G0
Tel: 613-928-2251 ext.237 or 1-800-928-2250 ext.237
Fax: 613-928-3097
E-mail: fire.j@twprideaulakes.on.ca
Station locations and areas of coverage are:
Station #1 Area Chief: Brian Abrams
35 William Street Delta, Ontario, K0E 1G0 Tel: 613-928-2003
Coverage area - the former township of Bastard, now part of the Ward of Bastard and South Burgess.
Station #2 Area Chief: Keith Strickland
20 Colborne Street
Portland, Ontario. K0G 1V0
phone 613-272-2311
Coverage area - the former township of South Burgess, now part of the Ward of Bastard and South Burgess.
Station #3 Area Chief: Steve Gordanier
32 Halladay Street
Elgin, Ontario. K0G 1E0
phone 613-359-5373
Coverage Area: Ward of South Crosby
Station #4 Area Chief: John Struthers
31 Spring Street
Westport, Ontario. K0G 1X0
phone: 613-273-2992
Coverage Area: Wards of North Crosby and Newboro
Smiths Falls Fire Department Fire Chief: Joel Gorman
77 Beckwith Street North
Smiths Falls, Ontario
Phone 613-283-5869
Coverage
Area: South Elmsley Ward, North of Otter Lake
Smoke Alarms - It's The Law!
Under the Ontario Fire Code, every home in Ontario is required to have working smoke alarms. On every level, statistics show
that smoke alarms save lives.
In a fire situation, you may have as little as two minutes to make your escape. A working smoke alarm may very well give you that edge, especially in the middle of the night. Battery operated smoke alarms, either CSA or ULC approved, are acceptable. They are low cost and they do work, with a minimum amount of maintenance.
Homeowners must ensure that smoke alarms are installed between sleeping and living areas. They are also required to maintain the smoke alarms in working order. In rental accommodation, the obligation to install and maintain smoke alarms in operating condition falls to the landlord. Landlords must also provide smoke alarm maintenance information to the occupant of each unit. It is an offence for any person to disable a smoke alarm. This requirement applies equally to homeowners, landlords and tenants. Failure to comply with smoke alarm requirements can result in a $200.00 fine.
Does Your House have Working Fire Alarms? - In Ontario approximately 70 percent of fire deaths occur in homes that are
not protected by working smoke alarms. If you do not have smoke alarms in your home, install them today. If you do have smoke alarms, test them regularly to ensure they work. For more information see the Fire Alarm News Page.
OPEN AIR BURNING
Please be advised that the Township has a new Open Air Burning By-Law, which does not allow burning during the day between 8 am to 6 pm (with the exception of campfires, defined as a fire 2’x2’x2’), during Fire Season (April 1 to October 31).
From November 1 to March 31, you may burn in the daytime, with a permit as long as you follow the rest of the regulations.
To check fire conditions you may call the Fire Condition Hotline at 613-928-2251, Ext. 600 or 1-800-928-2250, Ext. 600; this line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
BURNING REGULATIONS
The Ontario Fire Code prohibits open burning unless approved by the Chief Fire Official.
Township By-Law #2005-70 allows for such approved open burning through a permit process. Any unauthorized burning may result in a fine pursuant to the Ontario Fire Code, and the Provincial Offences Act.
BURNING PERMITS
Burn Permits are required for all Open Air Burning (no permit is required for a campfire, 2’x2’x2’) and are valid for calendar year only, January 1 to December 31.
The following locations are where Open Air Burning Permits may be picked up during regular business hours:
Rob’s Ultramar
- Portland
Country Market
- Delta
Hearth and Home
- Westport
Gordanier’s Freshmart
- Elgin
Rideau Lakes Township Office
- Chantry
For Residents living north of Otter Lake in the Ward of South Elmsley, you may ONLY pick up Burn Permits at:
Rideau Lakes Township Office
- Chantry
Smiths Falls Fire Department
- Smiths Falls
Please get a copy of the By-Law for full information as to the Open Air Burning Regulations, they are available at permit issuers and will be found under By-Laws on the Township Web Site.
Residents are asked to give 24 hours notice before using their Open Air Burning Permits.
Your Fire Department is available for fire prevention and public education presentations to various groups, clubs and associations. Please take advantage of this service. Civic Addressing
Every residence and/or business in the township has been assigned a "9-1-1" emergency civic address number. These numbers in addition to aiding in emergency response, are also useful in helping others find you. Unfortunately not all residents in the township have taken advantage of this. Signs are available from the township at a cost of $40.00 each, including installation. These signs are reflective and easily seen day or night. To order your civic address sign simply call Chief Building Official, Dean Pattermore at 1-800-928-2250, ext.225
REMEMBER - If we can't find you - we can't help you!
Cell Phones and 911
When using 911 for an emergency call, please be sure to use a land-based telephone whenever possible. The 911 system can only identify your exact calling location from land-based phones. Cell phone 911 calls are routed directly to the OPP and not to the 911 call centre.
However, if you need to use a cell phone for an emergency call, please be sure to stay on the line as long as you can to ensure that the details of your location and the emergency are clear to the operator.
Cell phones, because of their portability, do not have a connection to 911 call centres. If you have a choice, please use land based phones for 911 calls whenever possible.
Emergency Response Plan
The Township of Rideau Lakes has the responsibility for dealing with any emergency affecting, or likely to affect, the people and property situated within Township boundaries. It has an Emergency Response Plan that governs the arrangements, procedures, as well as the roles and responsibilities of agencies and individuals during an emergency. To view details of the plan please see the Emergency Response Plan page.
APPLICATION FOR VOLUNTEER FIRE FIGHTER
Please submit the following application form which will be used to determine your eligibility for employment as a Volunteer Fire Fighter.
Questions about the form should be directed to the Fire Chief of Rideau Lakes Fire Department, 1439 County Rd. 8, Delta, Ontario K0E 1G0. 613-928-2251 Ext. 237
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Township of Rideau Lakes, 1439 County Road 8, Delta, ON, K0E 1G0
email: info@twprideaulakes.on.ca
For general inquiries, administration, planning, public works, parks & rec, and fire department: Tel: 613-928-2251 or 1-800-928-2250 - Fax: 613-928-3097
For the tax office: Tel: 613-928-2896 or 1-866-677-4577
Download or view the 
Volunteer Fire Fighter Application Form
Volunteer Fire Fighter Application Form