Fire Department

• Emergency response including water and ice rescue, firefighting, motor vehicle accidents, hazardous materials
• Public education
• Fire administration
• Fire investigation

There are four fire halls located in the Township of Lake of Bays. Volunteer firefighters are prepared to respond 24 hours per day. Pagers are used to notify our firefighters in the event of an emergency. Fire hall locations do not have office hours for the public.

• Station 2 Port Cunnington – 1230 Fox Point Rd (also known as Muskoka Rd #21)
• Station 3 Hillside – 1007 Limberlost Rd (also known as Muskoka Rd #8)
• Station 4 Baysville – 12 University Street

As per resolution #5(f)(i)/06/18/19, Council proceeded to officially close Station 50 Interlaken -  2309 Limberlost Rd (also known as Muskoka Rd #8) due to the inability to successfully recruit members to the Fire Service. Station 30 Hillside personnel and apparatus will continue to provide fire service coverage for the Interlaken area. 

Calling 9-1-1 in an Emergency

View information about outdoor burning

In general, the regulation contained in the Ontario Fire Code addresses four fire safety issues:

• Fire separation for each dwelling unit;

• Means of escape from each dwelling unit;

• Smoke alarms;

• Electrical safety.

The owner has three options for compliance with the fire separation for dwelling units. Four options are provided for compliance with the means of escape from each dwelling unit.

Depending on the option selected for fire separation and means of escape, it may be necessary to install electrically wired, interconnected smoke alarms throughout the house. Where interconnected smoke alarms are not installed, every dwelling unit must be equipped with a battery operated or electrically wired smoke alarm on every level that contains a bedroom or sleeping area.

The owner is responsible for complying with the provisions of the Ontario Fire Code. You can read more about the provisions of the Ontario Fire Code by visiting the Ontario Office of the Fire Marshal or view the Ontario Fire Code on e-Laws.

Types of smoke alarms

Smoke alarms operate on one of two basic principles: ionization or photo electronic. For maximum protection, you should understand the advantages and disadvantages of both types.

Keep in mind only smoke alarms that are ULC approved should be used.

Ionization

The ionization alarm uses a small amount of radioactive material to make the air within a sensing chamber conduct electricity. When very small smoke particles enter the sensing chamber, they interfere with the conduction of electricity, reducing the current and triggering the alarm. The particles to which the alarm responds are often smaller than can be seen with the human eye. Because flaming fires produce the greatest number of these invisible particles, ionization detectors respond slightly faster to open flaming fires than do photo electronic alarms.

Photo electronic

The photoelectric alarm uses a small light source – either an incandescent bulb or light-emitting diode (LED) – that shines its light into a dark sensing chamber. The sensing chamber also contains an electrical, light-sensitive component known as a photocell. The light source and photocell are arranged so that light from the source does not normally strike the photocell. When smoke particles enter the sensing chamber of the photoelectric alarm, the light is reflected off the surface of the smoke particle, allowing it to strike the photocell and increase the voltage from the photocell. When the voltage reaches a predetermined level, the alarm activates.

Power supply

Batteries or household current can power residential smoke alarms. Battery-operation detectors offer the advantage of easy installation – a screwdriver and a few minutes are all that are needed. Battery models are also independent of house power circuits and will operate during power failures. It is critical that only the specific battery recommended by the alarm manufacturer be used for replacement.

Smoke alarm location

A smoke alarm in every room will provide the fastest detection. 85% of all fire deaths and injuries occur in homes where there are no working smoke alarms. Remember, only a working smoke alarm can save your life! Most fatal fires occur at night when people are asleep. Often, victims never wake, due to carbon monoxide poisoning. A working smoke alarm will alert you, giving you precious time to escape.

Installing a smoke alarm on every level of the living unit provides good all-around protection. Because smoke rises, they should be placed on or near the ceiling, according to your user's manual.

Smoke Alarms – It's the Law

Under the Ontario Fire Code, every home in Ontario is required to have working smoke alarms installed between sleeping and living areas. Homeowners must ensure that smoke alarms are installed on every level of a home and are required to maintain the smoke alarms in working order.

In rental accommodation, the obligation to install and maintain smoke alarms in operating condition falls to the landlord. Landlords must also provide smoke alarm maintenance information to the occupant of each unit.

It is an offence for any person to disable a smoke alarm. This requirement applies equally to homeowners, landlords and tenants.

Testing

The smoke alarm should be tested regularly. Remember to check the batteries in your smoke alarms. Vacuum out the dust and change the batteries every spring and fall when you adjust your clocks for daylight savings time.

Note: Smoke alarms do not last forever; they should be replaced after ten years. Replace smoke alarms that malfunction in any way.

CO Alarms – It's the Law

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless and deadly gas. It is almost the same density of air, not heavier or lighter, so it mixes freely with it. Because you can't see, taste or smell it, carbon monoxide can kill you before you know it's present. CO is breathed in and bonds with the hemoglobin in your blood, displacing the oxygen you need. It will eventually displace enough to suffocate you from the inside out, resulting in death or brain injury.

Where does Carbon Monoxide come from?

It is a by-product of anything that burns. It comes from gas or oil fired appliances such as furnaces, dryers, stoves, water heaters, fireplaces and barbecues. It can also come from wood burning stoves and fireplaces and automobile engines.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms can be mistaken for those accompanying the flu. They may include headache, fatigue, nausea, dizzy spells, and confusion. If you feel better after being away from the house for a period of time, you could be suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Carbon Monoxide detectors

Look for a detector that is ULC listed to the Canadian Gas Association (CGA) standard #619. The ULC mark guarantees that the product has passed tests in the areas of performance, safety and accuracy.

Where do I put my Carbon Monoxide detector?

Near the sleeping area, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which recommends at least one detector per household. A second detector located near the home's heating source adds an extra measure of safety.

Fire extinguishers are for use in small fires only. Never place yourself or others in jeopardy by attempting to extinguish a fire that is too large or if smoke presents a hazard to the operator. Never fight a fire if the fire is spreading beyond the spot where it started. If there is a fire, sound the alarm, and get everyone out. If possible, try to confine and contain the fire by closing doors to it. Call the Fire Service from a safe location. Buy only an extinguisher, which has been approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory such as U.L.C. Familiarize yourself with the location and operating instructions of extinguishers, which are at your disposal.

How to identify the proper fire extinguisher

All ratings are shown on the faceplate. Some are marked with multiple ratings such as AB, BC and ABC. These extinguishers are capable of putting out more than one class of fire.

The ABCs of fire extinguishers

Class A and B carry a numerical rating that indicates how large a fire an experienced person can safely put out with an extinguisher.

Class A extinguishes ordinary combustibles or fibrous material such as wood, paper, cloth, rubber and some plastics, etc.

Class B extinguishes flammable or combustible liquids, such as fuel, oil, gasoline, kerosene, paint, paint thinners, cooking grease, solvents and propane, etc.

Class C extinguishers have only a letter rating to indicate that the extinguishing agent will not conduct electrical currents. Class C extinguishers must also carry a Class A or B rating. Used for energized electrical equipment, such as appliances, switches, wiring, fuse boxes, electrical motors, power tools, panel boxes, etc.

Class D carries only a letter rating indicating their effectiveness on certain amounts of specific metals. Combustible metals such as magnesium, sodium, titanium and potassium burn at high temperatures and give off sufficient oxygen to support combustion. They may react violently with water or other chemicals and must be handled with care.

How to use a portable fire extinguisher

Remember the acronym: P.A.S.S.

P: Pull the pin

A: Aim extinguisher nozzle at the base of the flames

S: Squeeze trigger while holding the extinguisher upright

S: Sweep the extinguisher from side to side, covering the area of the fire with the extinguishing agent

Leave the area immediately if…

• Your path of escape is threatened
• The extinguisher runs out of agent
• The extinguisher doesn't work
• You can no longer safely fight the fire

The Ultimate Elderly Home Safety Checklist is a great way to assess an entire living space and determine where potential hazards could arise.

For children's fire safety check out Sparky the Fire Dog.

Learn important information about Fireplace and Wood Stove Safety and First Aid from HomeAdvisor. 

Cooking is the #1 cause of home fires

• Cooking oil and grease are the major cause of residential fires in Canada
• Kitchen fires cause the fastest-spreading destruction of any kind of residential fires when cooking oil or grease catches fire

Kitchen

• Do not leave cooking unattended
• Do not wear loose clothing with long sleeves
• Have your wood stove installed by a qualified installer

Living room

• Provide fire screens for fireplaces
• Provide sufficient electrical outlets for your needs
• If there are smokers in your home, check the furniture for fallen cigarettes or embers before your leave the room

Bedroom

• Unplug the iron after ironing clothes
• Check electrical appliances for safe operation e.g. electric blankets
• Never smoke in the bedroom

Basement & attic

• Remove all unnecessary combustibles
• Have your furnace, chimney and flue connections checked for leaks
• Clean the furnace at least once a year
• Remove flammable liquids from the house
• Never store gasoline in basements or other confined areas

Garage & workshop

• Most garages and workshops contain flammable materials such as thinners, gasoline, paints and industrial cleaners
• Keep them properly covered, stored neatly and kept from ignition sources such as space heaters
• Keep your workshop free of combustibles like papers and wood shavings and oil rags