North Middlesex Fire Department
The Fire Department is comprised of one Fire Chief, one Deputy Fire Chief, two District Chiefs, one Chief of Training, two Captain/Trainers, six Captains and approximately forty firefighters. Each station is divided into squads of firefighters, each reporting to one Captain. The Fire Department responds to approximately 100 calls per year. The apparatus includes two fire engines, two tankers, two rescue units and two pickup trucks.
The municipal fire service is divided into two districts and operates a fire station in both Ailsa Craig (159 William St, Ailsa Craig) and Parkhill (194 Parkhill Main St, Parkhill). The Municipality also purchases fire services under a fire protection agreement for an outlying area and is part of the Province of Ontario Mutual Aid plan.
Are you prepared for an emergency?
Emergencies can happen quickly, without warning, at any time of day, and in any season. When it comes to emergency preparedness, it all starts at home.
Visit our Emergency Preparedness webpage for information to make sure you and your family are safe and prepared for any emergency.
North Middlesex Firefighter Recruitment
Do you have a desire to help keep your community safe? Becoming a Firefighter is one of the most challenging, fast-paced, and rewarding opportunities available.
The North Middlesex Fire Department provides emergency response from 2 fire stations in the communities of Ailsa Craig and Parkhill. If you're interested in a paid, on-call Firefighter position in North Middlesex, the information on this page will help you through the process and answer any questions you may have.
Firefighter Recruitment
The Municipality of North Middlesex has a dedicated crew of paid on-call/part-time firefighters that are committed to providing fire protection, prevention, and public education services to the community.
Firefighters play an important role in keeping the community safe from fire and other hazards. If you are dedicated, have excellent teamwork skills, good health and physical fitness, then consider joining our team! Firefighting is a great way to learn valuable skills, give back to your community, and make extra income.
Contact North Middlesex Fire Chief Greg Vandenheuvel gregv@northmiddlesex.on.ca
Open Air Burns
Controlled burns need to be approved by the Fire Chief prior to burning. Please see below for details.
Open Air Burns
- Controlled burns need to be approved by the Fire Chief prior to burning.
- Please contact Greg Vandenheuvel at 519-294-6244 ext 235, or 519-494-6001 (cell).
- Open Burns regulations and fine schedule are subject to our Open Air Burn By-Law
- Please allow up to 24 hours for a return call and permission to burn.
- Please have the 911 address of the location of the burn.
- Size of pile is required
- Contents of the pile is required, for example, scrap lumber, brush, etc.
- Winds can't be more than 15 km/h
- Must have constant, competent supervision
- You are required to contact Fire Dispatch in Strathroy at 519-245-1300 or 1-844-220-1300 before the burn, and when the fire is out.
For more information view:
Fire Safety Saves Lives
Make sure you and your family members practice fire safety in your home and in your workplace. Everyone has a part to play in fire safety, know yours.
- Make sure your home is equipped with working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Remember to test them monthly!
- Did you know there were 133 fire fatalities in Ontario in 2022. Most, if not all, could have been prevented. Protect yourself and your family from fire-related fatalities by making sure your home has working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
- Create a home escape plan, so that in the event of a fire, everyone in the house knows what to do and where to go.
- Cooking is the number one cause of residential fires in Ontario. It only takes seconds for a fire to spread and become deadly. Be sure to keep an eye on what you are cooking and don't leave your kitchen unattended.
For more safety tips, visit https://www.oaf.on.ca/public-safety.
Services
Fire Prevention services, including public education, inspection, enforcement and fire scene assessment, are contracted to the Municipality of Middlesex Centre. North Middlesex firefighters also deliver fire prevention public education initiatives within their respective districts.
Fire Inspection Services & Complaints
- Middlesex Centre Fire Services offers fire safety inspections on a request and a complaint basis on behalf of the municipalities of Middlesex Centre, Thames Centre and North Middlesex.
- It is the municipality's responsibility to ensure fire safety inspections are conducted upon complaint, request, and as necessary to meet the mandatory requirements of the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997 (FPPA) and associated regulations.
- Inspection requests can be submitted through the Municipality of Middlesex Centre's online form or by contacting the Fire Inspection Officer.
Emergency Management
In accordance with the Emergency Management Act RSO 1990, Chapter E. 9 as amended, the municipality is required to conform to standards set out by Emergency Management Ontario in accordance with international best practices, including the four core components of emergency management, namely:
- mitigation/prevention
- preparedness
- response and
- recovery