Access Richmond Hill
The Access Richmond Hill Contact Centre provides assistance for general inquiries, responds to questions or concerns regarding programs and services as well as accepts in person payments.
Contact Us
905-771-8800
Hours of Service:
Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Report Feedback
Report a problem with a service, e.g. missed garbage collection, overnight parking, potholes, street lights, etc.
Fire and Emergency Services
Help Us Help You Faster - Clear the snow from fire hydrants
In the winter months, it’s especially important to be conscious of how snow-covered fire hydrants. Although there are few rules concerning who should clear hydrants, it’s generally considered the responsibility of the residents occupying property near a hydrant.
Fire hydrant markers make fire hydrants easier to locate in emergencies, at night and in snowy conditions, and are placed on hydrants in areas where we expect a fair amount of snow accumulation. Markers may make them easier to find, and hydrants are checked on throughout the winter months by City crews, but with over 4,500 hydrants we need your help to keep them clear during snowfalls.
Adopt your local hydrant - the work of just a few minutes might later prove to be vital to the safety of you or your neighbours!
- Please make it a point to uncover your fire hydrant after every snowfall.
- Clear a path approximately 3 feet (1 metre) around the hydrant. This gives the fire department room to work with this hydrant should the need arise.
- Please consider helping a neighbour who is elderly or has a medical condition by shovelling out a hydrant in front of their home. This act of kindness will benefit the entire neighbourhood.
We encourage you to be a hydrant hero this winter and keep your local hydrant clear of snow. Clearing 1 metre around a hydrant maintains access for our firefighters and helps them keep you, your family and your community safe.
Contractors are reminded to not pile snow over or against hydrants when clearing pathways and driveways in the winter.
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 l Be in the Community l 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 |
|
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.