Fire and Emergency Services

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The Municipality of Thames Centre Fire Department consists of two stations, located in the community of Dorchester and the community of Thorndale. They are staffed by professionally trained volunteers who do a tremendous job of promoting public fire safety, protecting your lives and protecting the property of our community.  Our volunteers from both stations are dedicated to responding to 9-1-1 calls for fire, carbon monoxide, vehicular accidents and medical situations as quickly as possible.

 

Thames Centre Fire Stations

Dorchester: 2156 Dorchester Road, Dorchester, ON

Thorndale: 17198 Thorndale Road, Thorndale, ON

Open Air Burning & Control Burn Request

Open air burning is regulated within the municipality. Open air burning will only be conducted with the conditions set out in the Open Air Burning By-law.

​​​​​Before starting any open air fires, fill out a Control Burn Request Form , submit to inquires@thamescentre.on.ca or the municipal office. Then when ready to burn contact Strathroy Caradoc Fire Services Dispatch at 519-245-1300 or 1-844-220-1300. Call before and after to avoid unnecessary fines and/or charges.

Control Burn Request Form

A form request is NOT required for backyard recreational fires.

Fireworks

Thames Centre has a fireworks by-law that outlines how and when fireworks are permitted to be discharged. 

Yield to Flashing Green Light - Firefighter

Within our municipality, we have volunteer firefighters who often use their own vehicles to travel to our halls when responding to emergency calls. These vehicles are sometimes equipped with flashing green lights that our volunteers will use to notify other drivers on the road that they are on route to an emergency.

The courtesy rule: pull over to let the volunteer firefighter pass when it is safe to do so. 

“Watch for Flashing Green Light” signage is being installed across the municipality to help spread awareness and clarity on the meaning behind the lights. 

Inspection Requests

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 our online submission portal below or by contacting the fire inspection officer. 

Request a Fire Inspection

When submitting a request consider the following:

  • Fire safety inspections are not usually completed on single family homes.
Smoke Alarm Legislation

Homeowners: 
It is the responsibility of homeowners to install and maintain smoke alarms on every storey of their home and outside sleeping areas.

Be sure that your street address number is clearly visible to fire/rescue workers.

It's important to hold family fire drills at least two times a year. If you have very young or elderly people in your home, assign someone to help them. If there's a fire, get everyone out of the home, then call the fire department. Make sure at least one window in every bedroom can be used for easy and fast escape in case of fire. Be careful not to overload electrical circuits. Lights that flicker or dim indicate trouble that must be corrected.

Landlords:
It is the responsibility of landlords to ensure their rental properties comply with the law.

Tenants:
If you are a tenant of a rental property and do not have the required number of smoke alarms, contact your landlord immediately. It is against the law for tenants to remove the batteries or tamper with the alarm in any way.

Failure to comply with the Fire Code Smoke Alarm Requirements could result in a ticket for $235.00 or a fine of up to $50,000.00 for individuals or $100,000.00 for corporations. 

When installing smoke alarms, refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for information about correct placement. Test your smoke alarms every month using the test button. Replace smoke alarm batteries at least once a year, and whenever the low-battery warning chirps. Smoke alarms don’t last forever. Replace smoke alarms with new ones if they are more than ten years old. Steam from the shower or cooking in the oven, stove or toaster can cause smoke alarms to activate. DO NOT REMOVE THE BATTERY. Instead, try moving the alarm to a different location, or purchase a smoke alarm with a hush feature that will temporarily silence the alarm. For further information about dealing with nuisance alarms, visit the Ontario Fire Marshal’s website.

New Fire Safety Resources

The Office of the Fire Marshal has produced new social media shareables and updated videos you can use to educate your communities about fire safety.

 

The social media shareables include fire safety messaging related to:

 

The updated videos include:

 

· Cacophony – cooking fire safety (French)

· Up in Smoke – cooking fire safety (French)

· Emily’s New Room – smoke alarms (French)

Flashing Green Lights

· Make it Stop – smoke alarms (French)

 

If you have any questions, please contact the OFM’s Public Education and Communications Unit.

 

Saved by the Beep 2023

Thursday, September 28, 2023, is Ontario's first Test Your Smoke Alarm Day! Last year there were 133 fire fatalities in the province - the most in 20 years. As part of Test Your Smoke Alarm Day, all Ontarians are encouraged to learn more about smoke alarms, fire safety, and home fire escape planning, which can save the lives of you and your loved ones. Most importantly, we want you to test you smoke alarms!

Installing, Testing & Maintaining Smoke Alarms:

  • There are many types of smoke alarms. Smoke alarms can be hard wired, battery operated, or both. When replacing a smoke alarm, you must replace it with the same type that was there.
  • Because smoke rises, ceilings are the best location to mount your smoke alarms. Avoid placing alarms near bathrooms, heating appliances, windows and ceiling fans. Always follow manufacturer's instructions when installing smoke alarms.
  • Test smoke alarms at least every month by pressing the test button and listening for the three-beep alarm.
  • Replace smoke alarm batteries at least once a year, and whenever the low-battery warning chirps.
  • Smoke alarms don't last forever. Replace smoke alarms according to manufacturer's instructions, usually every 10 years.

What To Do In Case The Smoke Alarm Sounds:

  • If your smoke alarm detects smoke, it will sound a loud, three-beep alarm pattern.
  • In the event of a fire, you may have less than 60 seconds to safely escape the danger. It's important to talk with all family members and guests about a home fire escape plan and practice the plan twice a year.
  • If a fire occurs in your home, follow your personal home fire escape plan. Remember to GET OUT, STAY OUT, and CALL 911. Never go back inside a burning home for anything or anyone.

How To Participate:

Snap a photo of you or family members testing your smoke alarms and post it to social media using the hashtag #SavedByTheBeep. You can also share FREE social media images and videos that you can find on the download page of www.savedbythebeep.ca. Tag your friends and family to spread the message.

Thames Centre Fire Department urges all residents to participate in Ontario's first "Test Your Smoke Alarm Day" on September 28, 2023.

Please test your smoke alarms to protect yourself and your loved ones, and make sure they can truly be "Saved By The Beep"!

For more information on smoke alarm safety, please visit www.savedbythebeep.ca.

Saved by the Beep Brochure

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For Questions Contact: