Fire
Fire Services are provided by a dedicated and highly qualified group of volunteer firefighters. Stone Mills Volunteer Fire Department is established and regulated under By-law 2015-810.
Regulating The Setting of Fires
All open air fires within the Township are regulated through By-law 2015-810. This includes camp fires, fire appliances such as chimineas, burn barrels and brush fires. Grass fires are prohibited as well is the burning of certain materials. Persons considering having an open air fire, should consult By-law 2015-810 prior to the setting of a fire.
Persons failing to comply with the requirements of By-law 2015-810 could be subject to penalties imposed by Fines authorized by this bylaw and the Attorney General's Office Of Ontario.
In addition, persons setting a fire not authorized by By-law 2015-810 could be responsible for costs incurred by the Township in responding to a fire call. Such costs are authorized by By-law 2012-645 which can be found on the "Application Forms" page of this website
Stone Mills Township Fire Advisory Line
Residents are responsible for safe Burning, and must follow the burning By-Law 2015-810. If you would like a full copy of the burning by-law you can pick one up at the Stone Mills Township Office, or download a copy . The Stone Mills Township Fire Department has a Fire Advisory Line for all residents to call and find out if there is a Total Fire Ban in a place and to also find out what the fire meter readings are for that day.
Please call either of these two numbers:
Local Phone: 613-379-5255
Long Distance: 1-877-554-5557
If you have any further questions feel free to call James Richmond, Deputy Fire Chief: 613-378-2475
Forest Fire Hazard and Burn Ban Restrictions
Burn Bans are not entirely based on the conditions within the Municipality when it comes to Burn Bans throughout the Township.
From Camden-Sheffield Boundary Road North to the boundary of Stone Mills, the municipality is under the restrictions of the Province of Ontario Provincial Forest Fire regions.
In order to reduce enforcement confusion, the Township elects to utilize the same rules for the entire Township. Therefore, when restrictions are prevalent in the Forest Fire Region, those restrictions are also applied to the remaining portions of the Township.
These limitations are put in place to mitigate the risk associated to the community and protect the regions from out of control fires.
For additional information relating to forest fire conditions, existing fire locations and status, please consult the Ontario Government Forest Fire Information Map
Volunteer Opportunities
Opportunities presently exists with the Fire Department for volunteer fire fighters. For additional information, please contact James Richmond, Deputy Fire Chief at jrichmond@stonemills.com or please see the Fire Fighter Application Form.
Additional Information
The department is managed by Fire Chief, Jeff Thompson, Deputy Fire Chief, James Richmond, as well as a Station Chief for each of the fire stations. The Fire Department is a volunteer organization staffed by approximately 100 dedicated men and women from across the Township. These volunteers are deployed from the four stations located at:
Yarker Fire Station (Station 1)
District Chief - David Petrie
Enterprise Fire Station (Station 2)
District Chief - Ken Travers
Newburgh Fire Station (Station 3)
District Chief - Rodney Myers
Tamworth Fire Station (Station 4)
District Chief - Richard Easterbrook
The firefighters and officers of the Township of Stone Mills fire department have in the past and continue to receive considerable training to ensure their work is conducted in the most efficient and safest means possible. On October 23, 2010, the department and staff were tested and accepted for accreditation by Fire Protection Survey Services. This accreditation allows many of our residents and business owners to enjoy lower insurance rates on their properties.
To be eligible for a reduction in insurance premiums, a residence must be within 8 kilometers of the fire station and within 5 kilometers of an acceptable water source. Commercial Buildings must within 5 kilometers of the fire station and 5 kilometers of an acceptable water source. The determination of an acceptable water source is made by Fire Protection Survey Services. An unofficial map of the eligible areas is available at the Township Offices.
Residents are encouraged to present the Accreditation Certificate to their insurers that may make them eligible for a premium discount.
Persons who own or who are considering the purchase of a property serviced by a privately maintained road should be aware that the maintenance of that road, which includes:
- winter snow removal,
- tree and brush removal,
- the application of gravel,
- the filling of holes, and
- the draining of water
is the sole responsibility of the persons who use the private road for access to their property. Fire Department or other emergency services may not be able to respond to an emergency call if road conditions do not permit the passage of emergency vehicles.
It is the responsibility of each land owner to ensure that the civic address assigned to your property is upright and clearly visible and un-obstructed by trees or snow banks. Please contact the Public Works Department if you have any questions respecting your civic address.
The Technical Standards and Safety Association (TSSA) have published information relating to good safety practices while enjoying the summer season including: safety issues around the home, during recreational activities and suggestions for the safe operation of fuels and cooking and heating devices. Visit the TSSA Website for additional information and suggestions.
Key Contacts
Jeff Thompson
Fire Chief
James Richmond
Deputy Fire Chief / Compliance Coordinator