The Sarnia Fire Rescue Service is committed to protecting the people and property within our community. We will be responsive to the needs of our citizens by providing rapid, professional, humanitarian services essential to the health, safety and well being of the community.
Service Delivery
Fire protection and emergency services are delivered to the community based on three lines of defense:
Public Education
Sarnia Fire Rescue Services provides public education to the community so that residents acquire the fire safety education to fulfill their responsibilities for their own fire safety and take the necessary steps to reduce the incidence of fire.
Fire Prevention – Fire Safety Inspections and Enforcement
Ensuring that buildings have the required fire protection systems, safety features, etc, so that early detection and containment reduce fire damage and limit casualties.
Emergency Services (Suppression)
The community’s ‘Fail-safe’ for those times when fire does occur…
Emergencies cannot be eliminated totally – there will continue to be emergencies whether accidental, deliberate or natural. In those cases services must be available so that the impact of the emergency is lessened.
Home Escape Planning
Having an escape plan for your home that the members of your household know and periodically practice is a very effective tool for reducing instances of injury and death in residential fires.
Smoke Alarms
Smoke alarms are required to be installed on all levels of all residences whether there is a bedroom on that level or not. As well, this change requires that all smoke alarms be replaced every ten years.
Fireworks By-Law
The use of fireworks in Sarnia is governed by the City’s Fireworks By-Law. Residents can light of fireworks on their own private property provided the display is private, not open to the public at large, and features fireworks classed as F1.
Backyard firework displays are only permitted on the day of, day before and day after Victoria Day and Canada Day, or with a permit on a Special Occasion Day.
Arson Prevention Program
The Arson Prevention Program for Children (TAPP-C) is a program that brings together fire service and counseling professionals to help families deal effectively with children and teens involved in fire-play.
Backyard fires and outdoor burning
Recreational burning, such as a backyard campfire, is currently allowed within the City of Sarnia provided that the regulations outlined in the Open Air Burning By-Law (link below) are adhered to.
Rural Burning
A permit is required for rural burning. Rural burning is permitted on properties located on the outer edges of the city – generally farmland – burning brush and natural debris for the general purposes of cleaning and maintaining the property. Please contact the Fire Prevention Division of Sarnia Fire Rescue Services to determine if you can obtain a Rural Burn Permit for the property you would like to conduct such a burn on.
2020 Fire Master Plan
The Fire Master Plan is a review of the community and its fire service that outlines a 10-year plan for future opportunities for organization improvements.