Important LegislationThe OFM is responsible for administering:
Organizational StructureThe Fire Marshal of Ontario is appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council. The Fire Marshal acts as the principal advisor to Government on public fire protection policy and fire safety issues. In addition to administering the overall operation of the OFM and fire related legislation, the Fire Marshal provides leadership to municipalities and municipal fire services in matters relating to public fire safety. The OFM* operates from a head office, in addition to
*Fire protection services are delivered by fire departments, and are established and funded by municipalities. They operate independently of the OFM. For more information about local fire departments, see municipal fire services. The head office in Toronto supports the delivery of OFM services, and provides leadership and co-ordination to its offices by focusing on
The two regional offices deliver OFM services in the field. They are responsible for providing fire investigation, fire safety inspection, fire advisory, and fire department assist services at the local level. They also provide certain fire related training. The Ontario Fire College is committed to continual development and delivery of a variety of educational and training programs that will meet the needs of the fire services in Ontario. |
OFM ResponsibilitiesTo Promote Fire Prevention
To Provide Support to The Municipal Fire Service
To Investigate
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Municipal Fire ServicesUnder the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, the Government of Ontario does not provide funding specifically for municipal fire services. The OFM does, however, provide assistance and support to the municipalities in their efforts to meet the requirements of the act. Under the act, it is mandatory for municipalities to establish a program that includes public education, with respect to fire safety, and certain components of fire prevention. The act also states that municipalities are responsible for arranging other fire protection services, as determined necessary by the municipality's needs and circumstances. To deliver fire protection services, the municipality can appoint a Community Fire Team/Officer, or establish a fire department. Fire departments can be made up of volunteer or paid full-time firefighters, or a combination of both. Some municipalities jointly manage their fire department. As of April 2008, there are 478 fire departments in Ontario made up of more than 10,000 full-time firefighters and more than 19,000 volunteer firefighters. Of the 478 fire departments, 31 are full-time, 160 are composite, and 287 are volunteer. There are approximately 3500 Assistants to the Fire Marshal empowered under the Act to enforce fire safety legislation in their municipalities/communities. Services ProvidedMunicipal fire services provide their communities with many of the following services
Northern Fire Protection ProgramThe OFM provides firefighting equipment to volunteer departments that serve more than 43,000 residents in northern Ontario, where there are no formal municipal structures to support a local fire department. The OFM maintains the equipment, trains the firefighters, and provides other support services. The community is responsible for selecting a Fire Chief, recruiting firefighters, and providing facilities for the equipment. Aboriginal Fire Protection ProgramThe program was established to provide fire protection and training programs to native bands in unorganized communities that do not have federal reserve status. Programs and ActivitiesThe OFM supports a number of initiatives within the province of Ontario, in an effort to provide public education and safety programs. Many of these programs have been developed and/or maintained in partnership with other organizations and associations, and can be both private and/or government sponsored. |
ResourcesInformation about fire related issues in Ontario is available from the following sources: CommunicationsFire Marshal's Communiqués are memos encapsulating high priority information. They are distributed to all fire departments, and are accessible on the OFM website. The Ontario Fire Service Messenger is a bi-monthly magazine distributed to interested stakeholders, partners, and the fire services, with a focus on fire prevention, public education, and firefighter safety and training. Data BasesFire Loss Reporting System (Fire Loss Statistics) Government of Ontario BookstoreCopies of the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, the Ontario Fire Code, and any other related government legislation are available in hard copy at the book store. OFM LibrariesHead Office: Fire Sciences Library, Audio Visual Library Partnerships and StakeholdersFire Marshal's Public Fire Safety CouncilThe Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council was established in 1993 to give the OFM a forum for the broad debate of a wide range of fire and public safety issues. The Council is a vehicle for the public of Ontario, the broader fire safety community, and the fire service, to communicate with the OFM. The Council assists the OFM in encouraging partnerships with these same groups, resulting in the promotion of public education and fire safety in every corner of the province. The OFM works closely with its stakeholders and the public, through the Council, to improve Ontario's fire loss record. The Council's goal is to make Ontario the most fire safe community in North America. The Council discusses fire safety issues and proposals. It develops, supports, and promotes programs, and provides advice and/or recommendations related to these issues. StakeholdersThe OFM's stakeholders are generally organizations or individuals within the province of Ontario that are affected by the policies of the OFM or have a strong interest in fire safety. Stakeholders can be:
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