About Ottawa Fire Services

Ottawa Fire Services prides itself on being a modern fire service that evolves with the community it serves. We are committed to recruiting a broad range of skills, knowledge and experience, fully understanding that sustaining our modern service begins with our personnel.

As one of the largest composite fire services in Canada, teamwork is critical to our service. Our many divisions work together to protect the 2,796 km2 of our nation’s capital, while remaining committed to continuous improvement and innovation.

Although fire suppression is the Service’s most visible division, Ottawa Fire Services does much more than fight fires. Our Fire Service is equipped with industry-leading special operations groups that provide hazardous material responses and a variety of technical rescues including water rescue, auto extrication, wildland fire operations, and confined space. In addition to these capabilities, Ottawa Fire Services boasts a robust public education team that serves as the first line of defence against fires. This team also includes investigators who determine the cause of each fire, while inspectors ensure buildings meet the Fire Code.

Our Service is prominent within our city, making community leadership a crucial part of serving in the Fire Service. Our people are dedicated to providing an elite and professional service, which has been entrenched in our long history.

As Chief, I assure you that Ottawa Fire Services can provide a challenging and rewarding career that will foster personal growth. I’ve dedicated my career to the Fire Service and would do it all over again, if I could.

I want to personally thank you for considering joining the Ottawa Fire Services and the City of Ottawa.

Thank you,

Kim Ayotte
Fire Chief
Ottawa Fire Services

OFS responds from 45 stations located across the City of Ottawa. Collectively, these stations provide service to over 950,000 residents across 2,796 square kilometres.

The OFS team is comprised of career fire fighters, volunteer firefighters as well as inspection, education, safety and communications personnel.

When compared to the largest metropolitan fire departments in Canada, OFS serves a geographic area that exceeds the total combined area served by fire services in Vancouver, Montreal, Toronto, Edmonton and Calgary. Additionally, OFS’s coverage is more than four times that of Toronto, Canada’s most populous city.

OFS personnel provide many valuable services to the community including:

• Public fire safety education;
• Application of fire safety standards and enforcement, including thorough fire cause, origin and circumstance evaluations, Fire Code compliance, investigations, fire inspections and risk assessments;
• Effective emergency response, including fire suppression and medical emergency calls, and rescue operations (e.g. water/ice rescue, automobile extrication, confined space, trench, collapse and high angle) and special operations such as responding to hazardous materials calls; and
• Recruitment outreach and community engagement campaigns such as Camp FFIT (Female Firefighters in Training).

Learn more about Fire Prevention and Public Education service offerings.

Operations (Urban, Rural and Special Operations)

This division is responsible for Fire Suppression which consists of fire rescue, tiered medical response, training and incident management.

Special Operations is responsible for water/ice rescue, auto extrication, confined space, trench, Fire Support Unit, collapse and high angle rescue; hazardous material responses; wild land fires; Urban Search and Rescue; Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive response)

Training and Safety

The OFS Training Division plays an integral role in helping the Service live up to its mission. Certified instructors are responsible for researching and providing the most up to date training for the entire Fire Service. Suppression staff receive the bulk of training, in the form of monthly or in-station training.

The Training Division also plays a key role in the recruitment and training of new fire fighters to the city.

The goals of the Safety Division are to develop, implement and maintain programs to meet the highest possible level of safety for all Ottawa Fire Services’ personnel. The Division is actively engaged in fostering a culture of safety, learning and service excellence that is supported by a highly reliable Occupational Health and Safety Management System.

Community Standards and Communications:

OFS prides itself on being highly visible within the community and takes as many opportunities as possible to engage and educate the public on fire safety. Education, inspections, investigations and code enforcement are crucial tasks carried out by our Fire Prevention Officers.

We continue to advance our public education programs as the community and population continue to grow. Fire safety programs include inspecting for smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, educating the public on the need for escape plans, distributing fire safety educational materials to residential owners and occupants, releasing public service announcements and connecting with residents through social media.

The Communications Division is the nerve center that enables OFS to provide effective fire protection and emergency response across the City of Ottawa. The Communications Division contributes to reducing intervention time (total time from the moment a call for service is received to the moment personnel are on-scene), injuries and loss of life and property due to fires and other emergencies. The Communications Division creates a safer working environment for emergency responders through the transfer of information from bystanders/witnesses to responding personnel.

Operational Support Services:

Provides services requiring expertise to support core operations, programs and/or activities (i.e. shift schedulers, performance analyst, purchasing and contract administration, GIS and FDM support).

Mission

Ottawa Fire Services protects the lives, property and environment for the citizens of and visitors to the City of Ottawa.

Vision

Ottawa Fire Services will be a modern and integrated fire service that operates seamlessly, employs highly-productive and highly-motivated people, uses innovative practices and technology, and strives to be better each and every day.

The goal of Ottawa Fire Services is to reduce or eliminate loss of life and property. In order to meet this goal, Ottawa Fire Services:

• Encourages a culture of public fire safety and strives to empower members of the community with the knowledge and tools required to prevent fires, and
• Enhances emergency responses through continual training of staff, identifying change opportunities and managing service priorities.

Values

OFS values are standing together, working together, serving together, as reflected by teamwork, honour, integrity, commitment and pride. Its motto is “Protecting Our Nation’s Capital with Pride”.

Key Reports and Documents

• OFS Annual Report (2013)
• OFS Annual Report (2014)
• OFS Annual Report (2015)
• Station Location Study (2015)
• OFS Annual Report (2016)
• OFS Annual Report (2017)

Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI)

In 2014, Ottawa Fire Services (OFS) received accredited agency status with the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI), becoming one of only six (6) accredited agencies in Canada. Since first being accredited, OFS has implemented the Commission’s accreditation model and recommendations, by strengthening our internal culture and labour relations, building positive relationships within our community and by bring at the forefront of innovation and improvement.

OFS is proud to have received its first re-accreditation in 2019, where our efforts were demonstrated by the continuous improvement models developed through the process, including a comprehensive Strategic Plan, a Self-Assessment Manual and a Community Risk Assessment Standards of Cover.

These documents provide a comprehensive look at each division within OFS and its deployment strategies to ensure that we are operating efficiently and effectively in comparison with industry standards. These documents were examined by peer evaluators from the CFAI which includes leaders from fire services around North America and then defended against in front of the board of the Commission for CFAI.

CFAI accreditation is an important pledge to our community that we are striving to offer the best services possible. It is also a confirmation that we are holding ourselves accountable to keep the City of Ottawa safe and secure.

Looking Ahead 2020-2022

OFS is developing a new strategic plan for 2021-2024 that will include clear objectives and priorities that align with the City of Ottawa’s Strategic Plan and in accordance to the CFAI model. It will also include strong performance measures to ensure OFS is successful in achieving its goals. Feedback from staff and residents will be incorporated into the new strategic plan which will help guide OFS for future planning.

Since the implementation of a new performance measurement framework developed as part of the CFAI process, OFS will continue collecting data that is aligned with its new response standard. This performance measurement framework forms the basis of the annual compliance report that is a requirement to maintain ‘accredited agency’ status for CFAI while ensuring continuous improvement.

As the population of Ottawa continues to grow, OFS will continue to focus on fire prevention, code enforcement and education outreach to reduce the number of fires and ensure residents and property owners are taking proper measures to stay safe. OFS will continue to implement new technology to make the service more efficient in delivering quality services, as it works towards development and implementing a modern traffic pre-emption system and a new scheduling solution. OFS will remain a versatile and innovative force that is seen as a leader amongst fire services in Canada.

Property owners in rural communities (Districts 6, 7, 8 and 9) may be eligible for improved property insurance rates. 

On September 16, 2015 Ottawa Fire Services underwent the Commercial “Superior Tanker Shuttle” testing as part of the Fire Underwriters Survey. 

The purpose of the testing is to measure OFS’ ability to deliver an uninterrupted water supply of over 400GPM at the five (5) minute mark of arriving on scene in areas without hydrants (rural). This ability is a key factor (measure) used in the development of Commercial and Personal property insurance rates.

OFS exceeded test requirements, maintaining water flows of over 500GPM for an indefinite period and demonstrated they can meet the emergency needs of the rural communities within the City of Ottawa.

Here is how to see if you qualify for a decreased insurance rate:

(Note: Not all insurance companies recognize this accreditation) 

1. If you live in or are moving to a home located in District 6, 7, 8, or 9 you should advise your existing (or potential) home insurance company that the area has achieved Superior Tanker Shuttle Accreditation
2. Should the insurance agent require further information to recognize the accreditation, please contact Diane Logan at Diane.Logan@ottawa.ca

By Phone

Telephone Directory: 613-580-2860

Fax: 613-580-2864 

Please note phone lines are monitored during standard office hours Monday to Friday. For after-hours information and non-emergency support or assistance please dial 3-1-1 and a City of Ottawa client service agent will assist you. Call 9-1-1 for emergencies only.

By Email

For Fire Prevention: FirePrevention@ottawa.ca  

For Public Education: FireEducation@ottawa.ca

For all other general inquiries and complaints: FireRequests@ottawa.ca   

For general OFS Training questions or requests: FireTrainingGeneral@ottawa.ca

Not sure who to contact with your inquiry? Visit our contact information guides for Fire Prevention and Public Education.

Please visit the Annual Burn Permits and Superior Tanker Shuttle Accreditation  webpages for email contact and important information. 

In Person/By Mail

When submitting requests and payments for any of the following (see items in bullets below) in person, please visit any Client Service Centre location. This service is currently not available in person due to COVID-19 closures.

Please complete a Fire Prevention Request form for each type of request by selecting the correct category in the drop-down options and bring it with you to a Client Service Centre (CSC) location for payment.

Methods of payment include: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, debit, cash and cheque.

If you are mailing in your request, please include your completed Fire Prevention Request form and cheque (made payable to the City of Ottawa) to the mailing address below:

• Fire Drill and Safety Planning Review
• Fire Inspections
• Fire Safety Plans (Completed Request form and payment ONLY)
• File Searches
• Fire Summary Reports
• Liquor Licenses
• Risk Safety Management Plan Review
• Specific Event Open Air Fire Permits
• Replacement Documentation

The completed form and payment; will only be accepted if they are received together.

Please allow 2-3 business days for an initial response after leaving a voicemail or sending an email.

Discover the closest fire station to your home or a new home you may wish to purchase by utilizing the bilingual In My Neighbourhood interactive map.

Fire Stations

District 1

District 2

District 3

District 4

District 5

Fire Stations - Volunteer

District 6

District 7

District 8

District 9

Administration

Education & Prevention

Additional information about our fire stations

Ottawa Fire Services consists of forty-five (45) fire stations strategically located within the City of Ottawa. This is based on population density and road networks utilizing the best station response to the emergency. The City of Ottawa is divided into nine response districts which are broken down into forty-five (45) station response zones. Career firefighters staff twenty-nine (29) Urban stations (4) of which are composite stations with a combination of career and volunteer resources). Volunteer firefighters service sixteen (16) Rural stations. Together they provide a response capability which includes, but is not limited to; fires, auto extrication, medical services, hazmat response, technical rescues (water, trench and high angle) fire prevention and education. Stations are equipped with a combination of various apparatus, strategically located throughout the City, including; Pumps, Tankers, Ladder Trucks, Rescue Trucks, Boats, Brush Trucks  and  ATV’s.  

Ottawa Fire Services (OFS) Frequently Asked Questions

Fire Prevention 

• What are your user fees? (Fees below include taxes)
• What methods of payment do you accept & where do I go to pay in person?
• What are the turnaround times for paid requests?
• Who do I contact with a Lock Box inquiry?
• How do I make a Fire Safety Plan Request?
• Where can I find out more about an Agency Letter of Approval & Business Licenses?

Fire Education

• Do you offer birthday party events?
• Do you offer fire extinguisher training?
• Do you offer display tables at events and fairs?
• What is the availability of the Fire Safety House & Learning Centre?
• Do you offer Fire Station Tours?
• Can you send a fire truck to an event?
• Do you do Fire Safety Presentations?
• Do you offer Youth Fire Safety Programs?
• Does OFS observe Fire Drills?

General

• What is your mailing address?
• Where can I dispose of fire extinguishers?
• Do you offer car seat inspections?
• How do I obtain an Annual Fire Permit or Special Event Fire Permit?
• What is allowed for an outdoor fireplace?

What are your user fees? (Fees below include taxes)

1. Residential File Search: $123.17
2. Commercial File Search: $247.47
3. Inspection for residential building 3 stories or less & Inspection for warehouse & other commercial buildings under 5,000 sq ft: $489.29
4. Inspection for residential building 4-6 stories  & Inspection for warehouse & other commercial buildings between 5,000 – 15,000 sq ft: $784.22
5. Inspection for residential building 7-12 stories  & Inspection for warehouse & other commercial buildings between 15,000 – 25,000 sq ft: $980.84
6. Inspection for residential building 13 stories or higher & Inspection for warehouse & other commercial buildings over 25,000 sq ft: $1,274.64
7. Inspections for Daycares, Nurseries, or Group Homes: $129.95
8. Fire Summary Reports: $99.44
9. Replacement Documentation: $99.44
10. Fire Safety Plan: $194.36
11. Fire Safety Plan when 3 or more buildings are under 1 address: $562.74
12. Fire Drill & Safety Planning Review: $285.89
13. Risk Safety Management Plan Review:
    1. Level 1: $649.75
    2. Level 2: $1,299.50

What methods of payment do you accept & where do I go to pay in person?

When submitting requests and payments for Fire Prevention, please visit any Client Service Centre location. This service is currently not available in person due to COVID-19 closures.

Please complete a Fire Prevention Request form for each type of request by selecting the correct category in the drop-down options and bring it with you to a Client Service Centre (CSC) location for payment.

Methods of payment include: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, debit, cash and cheque.

If you are mailing in your request, please include your completed Fire Prevention Request form and cheque (made payable to the City of Ottawa) to the mailing address below:

Client Service Centre

110 Laurier Avenue West

Ottawa, ON K1P 1J1

The completed form and payment; will only be accepted if they are received together.

 Unfortunately, we are unable to process your Debit or Credit payment over the phone or online.  

What are the turnaround times for paid requests?

1. Inspections: Within 10 Business Days
2. File Search: Within 3 Business Days
3. Fire Summary Report: Within 3 Business Days
4. Business Licenses: Within 10 Business Days
5. Liquor Licenses: Within 10 Business Days

Who do I contact with a Lock Box inquiry?

For information on lock boxes please contact fireprevention@ottawa.ca or 613-580-2424 x 15371. Please note the lock box must be installed prior to the Fire Prevention Officer’s on site inspection.

How do I make a Fire Safety Plan Request?

For information please contact firesafetyplans@ottawa.ca or contact 613-580-2424 x 15371

Where can I find out more about an Agency Letter of Approval & Business Licenses?

Apply for both at any Client Service Centre locations. For more information please visit the Business License Application webpage.

For more information please visit the Agency Letter of Approval business resource.

For more information visit the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) website.

Do you offer birthday party events?

No, although we’d like to wish everyone a Happy Birthday, we are an emergency service that provides educational information such as station tours, fire extinguisher training, and fire safety presentations.

Do you offer fire extinguisher training?

Yes*, free of charge. We visit 1 work location every 6 months.

• Bullex Training: Indoor training all year round
• Tutor Training: Outdoor training held from spring to fall *Please note for the Tutor training you must provide your own fire extinguisher. (One 10lb extinguisher can train 3-4 people)
• For more information please contact the Fire Education Division at 613-580-2424 x 15376 or at fireeducation@ottawa.ca

Do you offer display tables at events and fairs?

We offer a free display tables at fairs, and events with a Fire Prevention Officer who will promote fire safety and hand out information material. For more information please contact the Fire Education Division at 613-580-2424 x 15376 or at fireeducation@ottawa.ca

What is the availability of the Fire Safety House & Learning Centre?

Fire Safety House is only available for grade 3-4 students through the spring and fall & The Learning Centre is only available for grade 7-8 students through the spring and fall

For more information please contact the Fire Education department at 613-580-2424 x 15376 or at fireeducation@ottawa.ca

Do you offer Fire Station Tours?

Yes, minimum of 10 people and a maximum of 25 people per group, this is an educational tour only and does not offer a party room to hold events.  For more information please contact the Fire Education Division at 613-580-2424 x 15376 or at fireeducation@ottawa.ca

Can you send a fire truck to an event?

Yes, if it is a non profit event with a minimum of 50 participants.  We require a minimum of two weeks’ notice in order to schedule the trucks.

Friendly reminder: Personnel in the Fire Station are emergency responders and at any time and point may have to leave or may not be present if an emergency occurs.

Do you do Fire Safety Presentations?

Yes for high rises, ESL schools, elementary & high schools, as well as for senior residences. For more information please contact the Fire Education Division at 613-580-2424 x 15376 or at fireeducation@ottawa.ca

Do you offer Youth Fire Safety Programs?

We offer a Juvenile Fire Setters Program. For more information please contact the Fire Education Division at 613-580-2424 x 15376 or at fireeducation@ottawa.ca

Does OFS observe Fire Drills?

Yes, fees are applicable; please contact fireprevention@ottawa.ca or 613-580-2424 x15371 for more information  

What is your mailing address?

Ottawa Fire Services
Fire Prevention Division
1445 Carling Avenue
Ottawa, ON K1Z 7L9

Where can I dispose of fire extinguishers?

Use the Hazardous Waste/ Take it Back Program tool offered by the City of Ottawa to confirm a drop-off location near you.

Do you offer car seat inspections?

No, Fire Services does not offer inspections on car seats. Please see the S.E.A.T.S for kids website for more information or contact Ottawa Public Health (OPH) at 613-580-6744 x 28020.

How do I obtain an Annual Fire Permit or Specific Event Open Air Fire Permit?

1. For annual fire permits please visit any Client Service Centre locations or contact 3-1-1.
2. Specific Event Open Air Fire Permits cost $59.89 (taxes included) payable at any Client Service Centre location by debit, credit, cash or cheque made payable to the City of Ottawa. We require an application form filled out along with written permission from the property owner. Please allow for a 15 business day turnaround prior to your event for a site inspection and to prepare the permit. For more information please contact specificeventfire@ottawa.ca or 613-580-2424 x 15371

Read the Open Air Fire By-law to learn more.

What is allowed for an outdoor fireplace? 

1. Natural gas or propane fire pits are allowed in urban areas of the city
2. No open air fires are allowed within the urban areas of the city, for more information please visit our Outdoor Fireplaces resource on Ottawa.ca.