Our Services

Peterborough Fire Services provides emergency and support services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. We serve a residential population of about 78,000 people and a day population of 90,000, 38 schools, Trent University, Fleming College, 52 churches, 17 nursing homes, 150 industrial properties and 900 commercial businesses.

Emergency medical services

Time is of the essence when there's a serious medical emergency. A critically ill or injured person needs medical treatment as soon as possible to optimize recovery. We are incorporated into Peterborough's overall emergency medical system through a tiering program to ensure a speedy response to people who need emergency medical services.

Water rescue

Water rescue boat in the water with 3 staff We can be called upon any time of the year for a water rescue. People swim, fish, power boat, sail, canoe, snowshoe, ski on, and cross over the Otonabee River and the Trent-Severn Waterway in our coverage area. There are 5 dams and 10 bridges. Most people are safe and respectful of the water, currents and off-season cold temperatures around the many bodies of water in our region.

Water rescue response levels

For a water rescue, we typically deploy 2 rescue units – 1 for primary rescue and the 2nd for backup. There are 3 levels of response:

Shore-based only
Boat-based
Controlled water entry

Peterborough Fire Services is designated as a Level 3 Water Rescue Response. We use 3 flat-bottom boats, throw ropes, swiftwater rescue gear, and cold water immersion suits.

Auto extraction

Firefighters use auto extrication tools, such as the Jaws of Life. The general practice is not to “remove the victims from the car”, but to “remove the car away from the passengers”, for example cutting away the roof and doors.

Hazardous materials

Fires connected with hazardous materials, whether at commercial and industrial businesses in our community or from chemicals transported through the City, are a real concern.

We train and respond at the “Operations” level. Crews arrive, suit up in air-tight protective suits, rescue any victims and use special tools to contain liquid chemical or gas releases.

Hazardous materials emergency response readiness levels

There are 3 levels of emergency response readiness for dealing with hazardous materials fires, which determines the skills firefighters learn and practise:

Awareness (basic level)
Operations (intermediate)
Technical (comprehensive)

For the most serious hazardous material spills or releases, we contain the situation and the federal chemical emergency advisory centre contacts outside agencies for further assistance at the “Technical” level.

Disaster relief

Peterborough City-County Disaster Relief Fund volunteers respond at any hour of the day and in any weather condition to help families and distraught victims of disasters who need assistance such as clothing, health supplies and a place to stay for the night.

Public education

Our Public Education Division delivers various fire and life safety education programs. You can request formal programs and educational presentations at Fire Station #1 (Sherbrooke Street), schools, daycares and community events.

Book a fire and life safety program by contacting Public Educator Amanda Nichols at 705-745-3284 or by email.

Mutual aid

Fire departments in the Peterborough area routinely support each other in times of need. We have a long-established strategic alliance with our neighbours to offer aid to each other when resources allow, helping residents and communities deal with issues before they become problems. We've called upon each other to assist with large fires, traffic accidents, equipment loans, technical advice, training needs and fire prevention events.

Mutual aid partner municipalities