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Fire Services
What we do
The Guelph Fire Department provides services within the city of Guelph under the authority of the Fire Protection and Prevention Act.
Four divisions work together every day to keep Guelph and its citizens safe. They are: administration, communications, fire prevention, and fire suppression (includes training).
Administration supports the department’s operations and the communications division provides dispatch services for Guelph Fire and Wellington County fire departments.
Residents learn about fire safety at home, work, school, and in the community through education programs delivered by the department’s Fire Prevention Bureau, which also responds to requests/complaints about fire safety concerns and enforces Ontario Fire Code.
Firefighters in the fire suppression division respond to fires, rescue incidents, hazardous materials and medical emergencies, complete training activities, conduct post-fire salvage and clean up, conduct preplanning activities, and perform equipment and station maintenance.
Why we do it
The Guelph Fire Department supports the City’s Strategic Plan priority Building our Future by delivering services that foster a safe and healthy community. This is achieved by providing emergency services 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and ensuring that critical services are maintained and the department’s infrastructure is managed with a commitment to find efficiencies as it is replaced and/or updated.
2021 to 2024+ initiatives
- Continue to build a Fire Risk Assessment for the city and use this information to identify hazards and provide education, inspection, and enforcement appropriately to mitigate community risks.
- Implement the new records management system, and integrate with Kronos to leverage efficiencies.
- Update the Fire Department 911 system in cooperation with Guelph Police Service to provide service in accordance with the CRTC directives to enhance efficiency through shared infrastructure resources.
- Implement electronic message signs at fire stations for emergency and fire safety messaging.
- Continue to engage with community groups (vulnerable and static) and consult reliable data/studies to furnish contingencies for public education and fire prevention programs.
Budget details
Operating budget—Revenues and expenses
2021 budget impacts
$505,600 or 1.8% net increase budget in 2021 due to:
- $492,000 increase for inflationary compensation.
- $166,000 increase in Fire service revenue due to renegotiation of Guelph Eramosa service contract offset by $155,700 for new fire fleet mechanical position.
- $30,400 increase in inflationary equipment rental and other internal charges.
2022 to 2024 budget impacts
$1,579,090 net increase budget from 2022 to 2024 due to:
- $150,000 increase in service contract revenue
- $1,728,790 for inflationary compensation and equipment costs