Toronto Fire Services
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| Toronto Fire Service = |
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| Motto: Courage, Compassion, Service | |
| Established | 1874 |
| Staffing | Career |
| Strength | 3100 |
| Stations | 81 |
| Engines | 87 |
| Trucks | 29 |
The Toronto Fire Services is part of the Emergency Services that respond to 911 calls in the City of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Contents |
[edit] Overview
The Toronto Fire Services is responsible for responding to fires, rescue and assisting with medical situations within the City of Toronto. It was created in 1998 from the merger of the former fire departments of the original City of Toronto, East York, Etobicoke, North York, Scarborough and York.
[edit] History
Fire services in Toronto began in 1874 in the former City of Toronto, and consisted of volunteer fire companies. Prior to 1874, fire services were volunteer companies in the city. After the Great Toronto Fire in 1904, which destroyed much of Bay Street from Esplande West to Melinda Street, the Fire Department in Toronto became a critical city service and has evolved into the professional service that exists today.
As of April 2005, the departments and commissioners were replaced by divisions under the City Manager (and Deputy Managers), so the TFS is now referred to as the Toronto Fire Services Division.
[edit] Early Fire Companies
- 1st Engine House 1826 at Church Street and Newgate Street (Adelaide Street East)
- Independent Fire Company Engine House No. 2
- York Fire Company 1826
- Hook and Ladder Fire Company 1831
[edit] Command
As of 2007, the current Fire Chief is William Stewart (C1), under whom serve four deputy Chiefs (C2, C3, C4, C5), and four division commanders (C6, C7, C8, C9) - all based at 4330 Dufferin Street, the central headquarters for both Toronto Fire and Toronto EMS.
[edit] Fleet
Toronto Fire Department began using motorized vehicles after 1910. Before that, the TFD used horse drawn engines and ladders.
The TFS inherited all the vehicles of the fire departments prior to amalgamation. The current strength of TFS consists of 179 vehicles. After amalgamation, apparatus numbers are now 3 digits.
Miscellaneous
While not part of the fleet, Box 12 and Support 7 are canteen trucks (International/Dependable/PK Welding van) run by volunteers, and are present at large emergencies to provide food and beverages for Toronto firefighters.
[edit] Operations
TFS operations consists of 81 stations and divided into four geographical command units.
- North Command contains the 11th-14th Districts, covering 19 fire stations. It services the communities of North York and Toronto. (This Command includes Forest Hill which amalgamated with Toronto in 1967) One more station to be added (#116).
- South Command contains the 31st-34th Districts (22 stations). It services Downtown Toronto, Toronto Islands and parts of East York.
- East Command contains the 21st-24th Districts (20 stations). It services the communities of Scarborough, East York and Toronto.
- West Command contains the 41st-44th Districts (20 stations). It services the community of Etobicoke, York, Toronto and Swansea (a municipality which also amalgamated with Toronto in 1967).
TFS also provides fire fighting and rescue operations in the water. The TFS operates two fire boats, the William Lyon Mackenzie and Sora. Both are stationed at station 334.
At the Toronto City Centre Airport, TFS may be called to assist the fire service at the airport.
After the September 11, 2001 attacks, the TFS formed a search and rescue unit called the Heavy Urban Search and Rescue or HUSAR. HUSAR responds to collapsed buildings and other incidents beyond the reach of regular fire fighters.
[edit] Ranks
- Probationary Firefighter
- Firefighter
- First Class Firefighter
- Fire Captain
- District Chief
- Platoon Chief
- Assistant Deputy Fire Chief
- Deputy Fire Chief
- Fire Chief
[edit] See also
- List of historic Toronto fire stations
- 1904 Toronto fire
- Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services
- Woodbine Building Supply arson
Other members of the Toronto's Emergency Services structure consists of:
Other agencies with historic ties to the TFD and TFS:
[edit] External links
- City of Toronto: Fire Services
- City of Toronto: Toronto Police Services
- City of Toronto: Emergency Medical Services
- Toronto Fire Pics Website
- Scarborough Fire Fighters
- Greater Toronto Multiple Alarm Association
- The Fire Department Employees Credit Union
- Then Engine House
| North:Fire Services in York Region | ||
| West: Brampton Fire and Rescue, Greater Toronto Airport Authority Fire and Emergency Services and Mississauga Fire | Toronto Fire Services | East:Pickering Fire Services |
| South:none |
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