Fire & Fire Prevention

Township Services Interior Right

Burn Ban Declaration
Please be advised that there is a Fire Ban in Effect for the Township of Asphodel-Norwood.
Effective Immediately no open-air burning will be tolerated. Unnecessary fires have the potential to affect the health and safety of your Volunteer Fire Department due to possible COVID-19 exposure. Residents will be notified when the Fire Ban has been rescinded. This will not occur until the risks associated with COVID-19 are manageable.
Violations are subject to penalties outline in the Township of Asphodel-Norwood By-law 2016-79.
Order of the Fire Chief

Station 1 Address: 27 Alma Street, Norwood
Station 2 Address: 1818 Asphodel 3^rd Line, Asphodel-Norwood

Public safety, whether emergency responses or active prevention, is our main focus.

Our 35 member team responds to a variety of emergencies, including fire suppression, motor vehicle accidents, medical assistance, shore-based ice and water rescue, public hazards, as well as farm, industrial, and home accidents, to name a few. Fire investigation, prevention, and public education are an integral part of our service and are supported by many volunteer activities in collaboration with our Firefighters Association.

Annual Fire Report

The information in the Annual Fire Report is based on quarterly reports provided by the Asphodel-Norwood Fire & Rescue Department to the Ontario Fire Marshall.

Burn Permits & Open Air Burning

Burn By-law 2016-79 became effective August 23, 2016. There are three types of fires:

Recreational Fires - for cooking or warmth, up to 1m² in size, do not require a permit.
Agricultural Fires - for rural or agricultural properties with a minimum of 5 acres, with the intent of burning only brush or vegetation, to a maximum size of 3m in length or width x 2m in height, a permit is required.
Special Occurrence Fires - any desired fire that does not meet the intent of a Recreational Fire or Agricultural Fire, requires both a permit and a site inspection.

Burn Permits are available at the Municipal Office, Norwood Fire Station, and the Norwood and Westwood Libraries. List of fines and fees can be found in the Fees and Charges By-Law.

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

As of April 15^th, 2015, you must install carbon monoxide (CO) alarms in your home if you have a fuel-burning appliance, a fireplace or an attached garage. Exposure to CO can cause flu-like symptoms such as headaches, nausea and dizziness, as well as confusion, drowsiness, and loss of consciousness. In high concentrations, it can be fatal.

DOs

√ Purchase and install a CO detector that meets Underwriters Laboratories standards.

√ Have a heating professional inspect, clean, and adjust your fireplace, woodstove, gas appliances and chimneys every fall before the start of the home heating season.

√ Read and follow all instructions that accompany fuel-burning devices.

√ Pay attention to symptoms.

DON'Ts

X Ever cook or heat a grill indoors - even if you put it inside the fireplace.

X Run vehicles in the garage - even if the door is open. CO can accumulate quickly and enter your home.

X Use fuel-powered machines or tools in building or semi-closed spaces.

X Use gas stoves or ovens to heat your home.

X Use an un-vented kerosene space heater.

X Close the damper to the fireplace unless the fire is completely out and the coals are cold.

Community Safety Awareness

Indoor and outdoor portable ethanol burning fireplaces have become more popular in recent years. While these products provide ambiance and a little warmth, keep in mind the fuel, device and open flame can be dangerous. Find out more on Portable Fireplace Safety.

Power Outage - is your family prepared?

Fire Department's Mission Statement & Goals

A full description of the Fire Department's services and mission statement can be found in By-Law 2013-43 Establish and Regulate a Fire Department for Fire/Rescue Services.

Fire Inspections

Effective fire inspections, plan reviews and public education efforts conducted by the Township of Asphodel-Norwood can prevent fires and the loss of life.

Main Points of Fire Prevention

Engineering to eliminate hazards through design, correcting hazards, or reducing hazards.
Educating the public to develop a positive attitude toward fire safety and educate people to be safe.
Enforcing the codes, standards and regulations that are developed to help prevent fires.

What is a Fire Inspection?

Is a visual inspection of a building and its property that is conducted to determine if the building complies with all pertinent codes and regulations of the jurisdiction.
Inspections are conducted to reduce the risk of fire and maintain a reasonable level of protection of life and property from the hazards created by fire, explosion and hazardous materials.
Fire inspections are conducted at businesses, apartment buildings, schools, hospitals, places of public assembly and other occupancies with the exception of one or two family dwellings.
Safety surveys can be performed at the request of the owner.

To schedule a Fire Inspection please contact the Fire Chief at 705-639-5343.

Fire Inspection Fees can be found in the Fees and Charges By-Law.

Smoke Alarms

It is the homeowner's responsibility to install and maintain smoke alarms on every storey of their home and outside all sleeping areas. In rental properties, it is the landlord's responsibility to ensure their rental property meets smoke alarm rules and regulations.

Maintaining Smoke Alarms

Test your smoke alarm every month
Change your batteries at least twice a year
Vacuum your alarms to clean at least once a year
Replace smoke alarms every 10 years

Remember that it is against the law to remove the batteries or tamper with smoke alarms.

Tanker Shuttle Accreditation

What is Superior Tanker Shuttle Accreditation?

It is when the first pumper arrives on the scene of the fire and is able to flow a minimum of 900 litres (200 imperial gallons) of water per minute within 5 minutes and maintain the flow uninterrupted for two hours.

The site must be within eight kilometers of the sub-station and must be at least five kilometers from the location where the tankers are being reloaded.

The water source must be available 24 hours a day and 365 days a year.

The Asphodel-Norwood Fire Department possesses a Superior Tanker Shuttle Accreditation Certificate.