Fire Reporting / Cause Determination   

If you’ve had a fire we want to hear from you!
Determining fire cause helps identify trends in fire occurrences /causes at both the local and provincial level.  Fire prevention programs can be developed to address a concern related to a series of fires having a common cause – these programs can be developed at both the local and provincial level.

• Limited Fire Protection Area – while the municipality does not provide structural fire suppression services within this area, the fire department is mandated to determine fire cause for all fires reported.   Please provide details of any structural fires to the fire department as soon as possible.  Depending on the information provided, an investigator may be sent out to do a fire investigation.  If arson is suspected it is vital the fire department, and police, are contacted as soon as possible.
• Full Fire Protection Area – fire cause determination is just one of the many components of the fire department’s response to a structural fire.  If you have had a small fire, and extinguished it yourself without calling the fire department, we still want to hear from you.

Smoke Alarms

It’s the law – a working smoke alarm on every level of the home.

• Smoke alarms are designed to provide you and your loved ones with the necessary time to escape from the deadly effects of fire. 
• Failure to have, and maintain, a working smoke alarm on every level of your home is a serious, life threatening situation; not only placing you and your loved ones at risk, but also the lives of our brave volunteer firefighters that will respond and try and rescue you. 
• Our smoke alarm program involves random door to door smoke alarm inspections through out the year, promoting compliance with fire code legislation.

For more information, please see Municipal Bylaw 07-693

More About Woodstoves

The Ontario Building Code Act requires that building permits be applied for, issued and inspections carried out for installation of woodstove, fireplaces and chimneys.  Please contact the building department for a building permit application and further information.
Existing Installations Our fire departments occasionally receive requests to inspect woodstoves and chimney installations, often a result of an insurance company request.  Although able to recognize most common woodstove installation deficiencies, our volunteers are not trained to recognized industry standards for conducting wood stove inspections, and despite our best intentions for fire safety, even a verbal inspection report carries the risk of a liability claim against the fire department.  Current policy is that our fire services will not conduct wood stove or chimney inspections services. 
Inspection Service Municipal fire services recommend using WETT certified inspectors for all woodstove and chimney inspections.
Visit the WETT website to find qualified inspectors that service the area.  When shopping for an inspector, check adjacent areas to obtain a more comprehensive list of WETT qualified inspectors that may conduct inspections in the Temagami area. Wood Energy Technology Transfer Inc. (WETT Inc.) is a non-profit training and education association that promotes the safe and effective use of wood burning systems in Canada.  Through its administrative designate, WETT Inc. functions as the national registrar of the WETT program, and maintains a list of WETT certified inspectors, technicians and chimney sweeps.