Fire and Emergency Services
Holiday Donation Drive December 1-15: Make the holiday season brighter for someone in need. Drop off non-perishable food items, new clothes and unwrapped toys to any of our Fire Stations. Learn more at RichmondHill.ca/DonationDrive.
RHFES Celebrates 100 Years of Service of Historic 1924 Mason Fire Truck
This year marks a significant milestone for Richmond Hill Fire & Emergency Services, as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of our very first motorized fire truck, the 1924 Mason. This historic vehicle represents a pivotal moment in our department's history and symbolizes more than a century of dedication, honour and service to our great community.
As a department, we are planning a series of events throughout the year, from public displays of the 1924 Mason to a highlight of the firefighters involved in restoring the truck back to its original splendor and more. We invite all members of our community to join us in commemorating this momentous occasion and look forward to celebrating the 100th year of the Mason fire truck as well as the history of our Fire Service, with the community we proudly serve.
Richmond Hill Fire and Emergency Services
Richmond Hill Fire and Emergency Services is a full-time, career department that proudly provides fire, medical and rescue services to the citizens and visitors of the City of Richmond Hill. We are committed to protecting the lives and property of our community through excellence in prevention, education, training and emergency response.
Richmond Hill Fire and Emergency Services (RHFES) staff work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help keep our community safe.
In addition to fighting fires, RHFES responds to emergency calls including:
- Medical assistance
- Rescue
- Auto rescue
- Public assistance
- Spills and the release of hazardous materials
Mission Statement
We are committed to protecting the lives and property of our community through excellence in prevention, education, training, and emergency response.
Motto
Help Others, Be in the Community, Stay Safe
Message from the Fire Chief
I am extremely proud of our firefighters and their accomplishments and particularly proud that our service has a 98% satisfaction rating from the community. I know, together with the City, Council and our community, we are all committed to help keep the citizens of Richmond Hill safe.
Fire Service Divisions
Find out more about each of the six divisions of Richmond Hill Fire and Emergency Services below.
| Administration |
| One full-time fire chief, and two full-time deputy fire chiefs oversee and administer the operations of six (6) fire stations and the Fire and Emergency Services' Headquarters, comprising of fire fighters, fire inspectors and public educators, training officers, dispatchers, and an emergency vehicle technician. |
| Communications and Dispatch |
|
The Richmond Hill Fire & Emergency Services Alarm Room is staffed by 12 members, on 4 different crews. Lead by 4 Communications Officers, the RHFES alarm room provides dispatch services for the municipalities of Richmond Hill, Aurora and Newmarket (Central York Fire Services), East Gwillimbury, Georgina, and Whitchurch-Stouffville. |
| Fire Prevention |
|
The Fire Prevention Division provides information about emergencies, fire regulations, institutional, industrial, commercial and home inspections during and after construction to ensure important fire safety standards are met. Fire Prevention staff are also responsible for fire and life safety education through education and safety programs are offered to the public. They run events, fire station tours and conduct presentations to schools, seniors and new residents. Fire Prevention staff, with the support of fire crews also run our Home Safe Home program, visiting homes to check for working smoke alarms. The Fire Prevention Division currently includes a Chief Fire Prevention Officer, two Fire Prevention Officers, four Fire Inspectors, one Public Education Officer, one Public Educator and one Plans Examiner. Learn about fire prevention and find out what programs and presentations we offer. |
| Mechanical Division |
|
This department is the home of our Emergency Vehicle Technician. The EVT ensure that all firefighting equipment and trucks are operating and ready when needed. The EVT also ensures all vehicles are up to date on all currents standards. |
| Suppression Division |
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The Suppression Division provides fire, medical and rescue services to the citizens and visitors of the City of Richmond Hill. Suppression staff work out of six strategically located fire stations, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Suppression crews work on four different Platoons, each with a Platoon Chief, Captains and firefighters. They provide a variety of emergency services including medical assistance, auto extrication and motor vehicle collisions, public assistance, general rescues and technical Rescues such as high/low angle rope rescues, trench rescues, confined space rescues and ice/water rescues Spills and the release of hazardous materials. Non-emergency services include public education, public relations, and pre-incident planning. |
| Training Division |
| Our fire service is growing and the needs and demands of our business are constantly changing. The Training Division is responsible for training new recruits. They also ensure firefighter skills are upheld and enhanced through the development of training programs and ongoing training of all fire service members. They are also responsible for the operation of our Training Centre.
Our Training Division is comprised of a Chief of Training and two Training Officers. |
Emergency Management
RHFES is also responsible for overseeing Richmond Hill’s Emergency Management Program and ensuring annual compliance under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. They provide annual training for the City’s Municipal Emergency Management Group, maintain the Emergency Operations Centre and represent the City at Regional and other stakeholder meetings.
Learn how to be prepared for an emergency.
Maintenance
Our staff maintain six fire stations strategically located throughout Richmond Hill.
Learn about Richmond Hill's fire stations.
Recruitment
Our fire service is growing.
Learn about Fire and Emergency Services jobs.
2021 Annual Report
We are proud to share our 2021 Annual Report. This report illustrates our commitment to our community and reflects the excellent work accomplished by our staff. Please be aware this is a large file, so may take a minute to load fully.
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