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Toronto Fire Services

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Toronto Fire Services ( TFS ), commonly called Toronto Fire , provides fire protection , technical rescue services, hazardous materials response, and first responder emergency medical assistance in Toronto , Ontario , Canada. Toronto Fire Services is currently the largest municipal fire department in Canada.

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31-510: Fire services in Toronto began in 1874 in the former City of Toronto, and still consisted of volunteer fire companies. Prior to 1874, fire services were composed of poorly trained volunteer companies in the city. The first company was created in 1826 and hook and ladder in 1831. Most were able bodied men who were trained to operate pumps to draw water from the lake. A wooden pumper truck presented to Toronto by British America Assurance Company c.1837

62-458: A hotel , a church , and a one-room schoolhouse . A core of buildings built by the Stong family are on their original sites, while others have been moved in from across Southern Ontario . The majority of the buildings were moved from their original sites (notably the large Halfway House and Mennonite Meeting House), and some re-built on their current locations. The board and batten blacksmith shop

93-789: A light utility boat built in 1982 for the Canadian Coast Guard . The Sora was retired from TFS on October 31, 2015, replaced by Fireboat William Thornton . Fireboat William Thornton is a type 400 cutter, built in 1982 for the Canadian Coast Guard, and was acquired by the Toronto Fire Service in 2015. While not part of the fleet, Box 12 (Box 12 Association) and Support 7 (Greater Toronto Multiple Alarm Association) are canteen trucks run by volunteers and are present at large emergencies to provide food and beverages for Toronto firefighters. Formed in 1949,

124-524: A modified Tugboat hull. William Lyon Mackenzie operates 12 months a year, providing emergency services within Toronto Harbour and the adjacent waters of Lake Ontario. The boat is mainly docked at 339 Queen's Quay West next to Fire Station #334. It is the main fireboat for Toronto Fire Services as well as an icebreaker for the City of Toronto. William Lyon Mackenzie is one of a few fireboats to ply

155-657: A specialized call is dispatched. TFS also has a fleet of various mechanical support trucks. Smaller compact cars bearing the TFS colours and logo are driven by fire prevention officers and other commanding officers. Toronto Fire will also acquire use of a long-range acoustic device . It was one of three purchased by the Toronto Police Service for use during the G20 summit in 2010 (1 for marine unit, 2 for public safety unit). Toronto Fire Services operates and manages both

186-735: Is a regular destination for field trips by schoolchildren from the Greater Toronto Area . It was opened in 1960 and is operated by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority . Napier Simpson, a restoration architect in Ontario devoted his professional life to raising public awareness of the importance of heritage conservation including the Black Creek Pioneer Village project. The pioneer village consists of over forty 19th century buildings , decorated in

217-608: Is an open-air heritage museum in Toronto , Ontario, Canada. The village is located in the North York district of Toronto, just west of York University and southeast of the Jane and Steeles intersection. It overlooks Black Creek , a tributary of the Humber River . The village is a recreation of life in 19th-century Ontario and gives an idea how rural Ontario might have looked in the early-to-mid-19th century. The village

248-656: Is in (1-north, 2-East, 3-South, 4-West). The second digit identifies the District within the Command that the station is in. The last digit identifies the station within the District within the Command that the apparatus is assigned to. A list of types of vehicles used by the TFS: (prefix letter in brackets with "xxx" as the station placeholders) is listed below: The Toronto Fire Department and successor Toronto Fire Services has operated fire boats since 1923. Fireboat Charles A. Reed

279-636: Is now found at Black Creek Pioneer Village . The city's poor fire fighting services were highlighted by the Great Toronto Fire in 1849 and again in the Great Fire of Toronto in 1904. After the latter fire, which destroyed much of Bay Street from The Esplanade West to Melinda Street, the Fire Department in Toronto became a critical city service and has evolved into the full-time service that exists today. The Toronto Fire Services

310-588: Is presented by the Toronto Professional Fire Fighters Association to a fire service member for voluntarism. Formed in 1975, the GTMAA vehicle is painted with TFD scheme, but not the logo (using the GTMAA patch instead). In addition, there are various hazardous materials support trucks and a trench rescue support truck that respond to specialized calls. These trucks are unmanned and are only used by trained personnel when

341-621: The Canadian Heritage Information Network , and the Virtual Museum of Canada . Ontario premier Doug Ford said on August 23, 2019, that the Ontario government has no plans to close the village, despite the government's instructions to conservation authorities in Ontario to wind down activities unrelated to protecting watersheds and drinking water or preventing floods. In September 2023, Black Creek Pioneer Village announced that it would be renamed

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372-568: The Toronto Harbour . Built by Russel Brothers in 1964, it is named after William Lyon Mackenzie , the first mayor of Toronto . In 2004 the fireboat was refurbished and it is expected to be in service until 2037. As designed, the vessel was to be equipped with radar, echo sounder, radio, and daytime accommodation for the off-duty shift. The fireboat is equipped with: Built in Owen Sound , Ontario by Russel Brothers Limited with

403-498: The 10% reduction target. As well the cuts will lead to fewer firefighters on staff. In 2014, four pumpers (P213, P215, P413, P424) were taken out of service and Station 424 was shut down. In 2017, under Fire Chief Matthew Pegg , the TFS Transformation Plan was developed and introduced, which included a comprehensive Inclusion Plan. An update on the status of the numerous initiatives that are included in this plan

434-746: The Box 12 Association is Toronto's oldest fire canteen unit and serves firefighters in the west end and the downtown core. The unit is named after alarm box #12, which was pulled to trigger the response to the Great Toronto Fire of 1904. This canteen has served in a number of high-profile multiple alarm fires in recent history, including the Badminton and Racquet Club of Toronto six-alarm fire in 2017. The Box 12 Association celebrated 70 years of continuous volunteer service in 2018, with Mayor John Tory in attendance. Each year, an award named after this canteen

465-684: The Great Lakes, Edward M. Cotter is operated by Buffalo Fire Department and operates in Lake Erie . William Lyon Mackenzie does duty during the Canadian International Air Show , using its spray to make a very visible visual point of reference at the centre of the display area. In 2004, the vessel completed a CA$ 1+ million refurbishment that will extend the in-service life of the vessel by approximately 30 years. The main propulsion diesels engines were replaced and

496-462: The TFD and previous fire companies used horse drawn engines and ladders. Prior to the 1970s, the TFD had open air vehicles (driver cab not enclosed and mostly aerial trucks), but since then both the TFD and TFS use fully enclosed cab vehicles. Prior to the 1950s, TFD used tiller-ladder trucks and since have reverted to smaller aerial units that can operate in narrow streets in Toronto. The TFS inherited all

527-485: The Village at Black Creek by the first quarter of 2024. The decision was made by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) Board of Directors. The Village will also be expanding its museum and visitor centre. William Lyon Mackenzie (fireboat) William Lyon Mackenzie , is a fireboat operated by Toronto Fire Services (TFS) which provides marine fire fighting and icebreaking capabilities within

558-586: The aerial platform was refurbished. In 2015, the TFS purchased the William Thorton , a mid-shore patrol built in 1982 for the Canadian Coast Guard . The Thornton will be staffed by the crew of the Mackenzie as a backup/additional boat. The Thornton replaced the Sora which the TFS had bought in 2006. The Thornton is named after William Thornton , the first known Toronto firefighter to die fighting

589-551: The central headquarters for both Toronto Fire and Toronto Paramedic Services . There are four division commanders (C6, C7, C8, C9). Each division commander is based in their respective commands – north, east, south and west. Alan F. Speed became the first fire chief of the amalgamated Toronto Fire Services in November 1997. He served in that post until his retirement in April 2003. Following Speed's retirement, William (Bill) Stewart

620-439: The city, organized into 15 districts. A 16th district (District 12) was disbanded in 2013. Its 4 stations were absorbed into the surrounding districts. Each district is part of one of four geographical divisions of command. There are 4 command areas: north, east, south and west. With the exception of North Division, the other geographic divisions are divided into four districts. Several companies have been disbanded or reassigned over

651-668: The exception of Sales, Toronto Fire Services and Toronto Fire Department chiefs have been promoted within the department's ranks. Peter Ferguson was deputy chief of the North York Fire Department before becoming fire chief of the Toronto Fire Department Toronto Fire Department began using motorized vehicles after 1911. The first motorized pumper was placed in the College St station on October 18, 1911. Before that,

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682-522: The fire trucks were a patchwork of the various schemes used by the former boroughs. All had "Toronto" decaled or painted where the former borough's name used to be and the new Toronto Fire crest was added with the new numbering scheme. Over the past 19 years since amalgamation, the majority of the older vehicles have either been retired or repainted to match the new scheme: fire engine red with yellow reflective trim and markings. The Toronto Fire Services currently operates out of 83 fire stations throughout

713-545: The heavy urban search and rescue (HUSAR) team and the chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives (CBRNE) response team on behalf of the City of Toronto and under contract with the Province of Ontario for provincial deployment as required as CAN-TF3. Prior to amalgamation, the Scarborough Fire Department had their fleet painted yellow. In the years following amalgamation, the markings on

744-522: The style of the 1860s with period furnishings. It is operated by historical interpreters and craftspeople housed in the restored buildings. The site also features historical re-enactments and visiting artisans, along with an annual Mennonite fair. Buildings include the Dalziel Barn , period houses, the original Stong family farm buildings, a water-powered grist mill , a general store , a blacksmith 's shop along with over ten other trades buildings,

775-403: The vehicles of the fire departments prior to amalgamation. The current strength of TFS consists of 179 vehicles. Since amalgamation, apparatus assignments consist of an alpha-numeric callsign. The alphabetic prefix identifies the type of apparatus. The following three numerical digits identify the station the apparatus is located in. The first digit identifies the division (Command) that the station

806-1021: The years. The North Command's office (Command 1) is located at Fire Station 114. There are 21 stations in the North Command The East Command's office (Command 2) is located at Fire Station 221. There are 22 stations in the East Command. The South Command's office (Command 3) is located at Fire Station 332. There are 22 stations in South Command. The West Command's office (Command 4) is located at Fire Station 442. Fire Station 424 at 462 Runnymede Road closed permanently in 2014. There are 19 stations in West Command. Other members of Toronto's Emergency Services structure include: Black Creek Pioneer Village The Village at Black Creek , previously Black Creek Pioneer Village, and before that Dalziel Pioneer Park ,

837-886: Was appointed fire chief on May 1, 2003, and served until his retirement on April 30, 2012. Jim Sales worked as a political bureaucrat in the Town of Markham and as general manager with the City of Barrie prior to his appointment as Toronto fire chief in 2012. Sales was fire chief in Markham from 2000 to 2001 and in Edmonton from 1988 to 2000. Matthew Pegg was appointed as interim fire chief in May 2016, following Sales' departure. Pegg became permanent chief in April 2017. Pegg served as deputy fire chief of Administration prior to being appointed fire chief. Pegg retired October 4, 2024 and will be replaced on interim by Deputy Chief Larry Cocco. With

868-669: Was created in 1998 from the merger of the former fire departments of the original City of Toronto , East York , Etobicoke , North York , Scarborough and York . It is the largest fire department in Canada and the 5th largest municipal fire department in North America. As part of the city's 2013 Budget plans, the City of Toronto demanded a 10% cut by all city departments. TFS, under then Fire Chief James Sales, recommended vehicle reductions at several stations (Stations 213, 215, 324 and 413) and one station to close (Station 424) to meet

899-869: Was originally built in the 1850s in Nobleton . The gunsmith shop was built in Bolton , and the Taylor Cooperage building was built in the 1850s in Paris . The weaver shop is within what was originally a Temperance Hall built in Kettleby in 1850 by the Sons of Temperance . The Roblin Mill has been relocated from Ameliasburgh . The museum is affiliated with the Canadian Museums Association ,

930-492: Was provided as part of the 2018 budget process. In 2018, 10 additional staff were added to support the creation of a permanent Toronto Community Housing Fire Safety Task Force. Also in 2018, one additional crew of 21 Operations Firefighters was approved to support the opening of the new Downsview fire station. The fire chief (C1), as well as the 4 commanding deputy chiefs,(C2, C3, C4, C5), are all based at 4330 Dufferin Street

961-501: Was the first fireboat operated by the service; it was a wood-hull boat that entered service in 1923 and remained in use until 1964. The service presently has two fireboats in service. Fireboat William Lyon Mackenzie entered service in 1964, replacing Charles A. Reed . Fireboat William Lyon Mackenzie serves as the department's main fireboat and icebreaker. In 2006, the Toronto Fire Services acquired Fireboat Sora ,

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