Barrie Fire & Emergency Service Department

The Operations Branch performs the following services:

• Respond to reports of fires, fire alarms, technical rescues, hazardous material incidents, medical emergencies and perceived emergencies
• Meet the Ontario Fire Marshal's mandate to have 10 fire fighters on the scene within 10 minutes, 90% of the time to a single-family residential structure fire
• Comply with Council's motion to have a less than 6 minute road response, 90% of the time to a single-family residential structure fire
• Monitor the community's perception of service delivery through monthly questionnaires and public education based events.
• Continually review level of service provision and implement adjustments as required.

The Training Branch performs the following services:

• Provide training and educational opportunities to assist in meeting job specific and Health and Safety standards as dictated under federal, provincial and municipal law.
• Develop qualified and competent fire fighter and officer candidates for the purpose of mitigating emergency situations including disasters.
• Responsible for succession planning within the Department.

The Prevention Branch performs the following services:

• Enforcement of the Ontario Fire Code, the Ontario Building Code and City of Barrie By-laws. Audit, document and inspect buildings to ensure the environment is safe through compliance, legal use of occupancies and legal action, if necessary.
• Create and promote public education programs in schools to ensure children have the necessary tools to protect themselves from fire.
• Educate the public and target specific behaviour in the community for the purpose of creating and developing a fire safe community.
• Conduct cause and origin.
• Legislated requirement to follow-up on complaints, investigate fires and inspect occupancies.

The Communications Branch performs the following services:

• Responsible for the receipt of fire and emergency related calls for the Barrie Fire & Emergency Service and for those municipalities or other agencies with which contractual agreements are in effect
• Receive and process requests for assistance, assess information, prepare data and perform the dispatching function of emergency vehicles for Barrie and client municipalities
• Convey instructions, information and direction to the service requester, provide logistical support to the fire scene and maintain radio communications with emergency responders
• Monitor call dispatching on a monthly basis to identify areas of concern and meet industry standards, guidelines and legislative requirements

The Administration Branch performs the following services:

• Overall administration of 157 staff in five branches:
  • Administration
  • Communications
  • Operations/ Suppression
  • Prevention
  • Training
• Strategic planning for the Department
• Co -ordination with other City Departments and external agencies
• Compliance with municipal, provincial and federal legislated requirements and best practices
• Enhancing the level of service provided to the public