About Centre Wellington Fire Rescue

Centre Wellington Fire Rescue is a Volunteer Fire Department that is committed to providing timely professional emergency responses. 

Our Department takes pride in protecting the community from fire, life-threatening emergencies and dangerous conditions as well as fire safety education.

 History
 

In 1999, the Town of Fergus and the Village of Elora Fire Departments amalgamated to form the Centre Wellington Fire Rescue.

Here is a little bit of history on the two departments before that amalgamation.

Elora

Established in the mid 1800's, the Elora Fire Brigade as it was known as then, was located in the town's market square at 1 MacDonald Square, Elora. The drill shed was a two-story building with a bell tower and housed Elora's horse-drawn steamer pumper. The Elora Fire Brigade's drill shed was replaced by the Township of Centre Wellington's administrative offices in the 1960s.

The present-day Elora Station located at 72 Wellington Road 7, Elora was constructed in 1987.

Fergus

Established in 1853, the Fergus Fire Brigade originated at the corner of St. Patrick Street and Tower Street in Fergus. A two-story building was constructed in 1861 as a result of a fundraising effort to gather shares to cover the cost of construction. As the department grew, a third floor was added along with a main garage to house a motor powered engine. The department used this building along with many other local organizations (even the high school) to run operations.

In 1975, Town Council decided to build a new Fire Station to meet the expanding needs of the Fire Department, which is still its home at 250 Queen Street W., Fergus.
 A Message from the Fire Chief
 

The Mission of the Centre Wellington Fire Rescue is to provide a range of services to Educate, Prevent and Protect the inhabitants and visitors to the Township of Centre Wellington from the adverse effects of Fires, Sudden Medical Emergencies or Exposure to Dangerous Conditions created by Man or Nature in an efficient and cost effective manner.


Our goal is to educate everyone from children and youths to adults and seniors the importance of Fire Safety at home, at school and at work and provides a variety of residential and commercial fire education programs.

Centre Wellington Firefighters not only respond to emergency situations but give a great deal of their time to local events and charities.

Some of these events include:

  • Muscular Dystrophy Toll Bridge Fundraisers;
  • Santa Claus Parades;
  • Remembrance Day Ceremonies;
  • Fergus Highland Games;
  • Canada Day Pancake Breakfast; and
  • Others events as per request

If you have any comments or questions, please email us. 

 Stations

Centre Wellington Fire Rescue operate out of two stations:

 

 

 

Fire Master Plan
The Township retained the services of Dillon Consulting Limited to develop a Master Fire Plan for Centre Wellington in 2017. The plan identified future requirements in the short term (1-3 years), medium term (4-6 years) and long term (7-10 years) based upon growth, trends, regulatory requirements and financial capabilities of the Township.  This plan will set the foundation for strategic decision making for the provision of fire and rescue services in Centre Wellington.

The Plan also identified fire risks and hazards, fire protection capabilities, public education, fire risk reductions and management, community preparedness and response, and funding and fiscal measures relating to fire protection with the purpose to formulate and plan for implementation of strategies for deficiencies which exist or may develop.

The Plan provided the Township of Centre Wellington with a systematic and comprehensive approach to evaluating risk and existing capabilities within the municipality and its fire department for the next 10 years.  It will also assist in the formulation and communication of the future direction and highlighting opportunities for optimizing service delivery. 

View the Final Fire Master Plan

 Response Area Map 
Our response area not only includes the Township of Centre Wellington but also encompasses parts of Guelph Eramosa, Woolwich, Mapleton and Wellington North Townships. Our map outlines our response area.
Superior Tanker Water Shuttle Accreditation

In October, 2018 the Centre Wellington Fire Rescue received their "Re-certification" of the Superior Tanker Water Shuttle Service Accreditation.

The Superior Tanker Shuttle Service Accreditation is an alternative water supply for public fire protection for residences that are more than 300 m (1000 ft) from a fire hydrant and within 8 km (5 miles) of a fire station.

In the past residents paid a higher fire insurance premium for a residential property more than 300 m from a fire hydrant previously classified as a "Non-hydrant rate" and within 8 km of a fire hall.

Rural residents and any homeowners that are more than 300 m from a hydrant are encouraged to apply to their Insurance Company or Broker and advise them that the Township of Centre Wellington has Superior Tanker Shuttle Service Accreditation which may allow them to be eligible for a reduction in their fire insurance rates if they have not already done so.
 Green Flashing Light Awareness

When a call for help comes in, our personnel may be at their regular job, at the beach with the family, or sleeping in the middle of the night, they drop what they are doing and immediately respond to the fire station.

Drivers in Ontario are familiar with the emergency red flashing lights and sirens on police cars, ambulance and fire trucks and know that they are required by the law to pull to the right and stop when they see or hear them coming. But not everyone is aware of the Volunteer Firefighter's Green Flashing Light.

When you see a vehicle with a green flashing light that is a firefighter responding to the station for a call. This light does not give them any special privileges. It is only used to identify them so that other drivers may give up their right-of-way and allow the firefighter to get to the station quicker so that they can help someone in need.

Contact Us

Centre Wellington Fire Rescue is comprised of the following staff:

 

Fire Chief Tom Mulvey
Deputy Fire Chief, Fire Prevention, Public Education and Investigations - Jason Benn
Deputy Fire Chief, Training & Fire Suppression - Jonathan Karn
Fire Prevention Officer - Christopher Paluch
County Training Officer - Charles Hamilton
Administrative Assistant - Karen Lindsay

At full strength there are 60 paid on-call Officers/Firefighters working out of the two fire stations located in Fergus and Elora. We provide a comprehensive emergency service including, fire suppression, auto extrication, emergency first aid, high angle rope rescue, water rescue and many other types of emergency services the public requires.

 

Fire Administration Office
250 Queen Street W, Fergus, ON, N1M 1S8
Phone: 519.843.1950
Email us

Permits

Fireworks
You must obtain permission from the Township of Centre Wellington Fire Rescue Services to hold a fireworks display.

Here are some links to more information:

 

Fireworks By-law
Application to hold a fireworks display
Application to sell fireworks
Open Air Burning Permit

A Fire Permit is required for ALL open air burning within the Township whether you are having a small backyard fire or clearing your property of brush.

 

There is to be NO BURNING OF LEAVES OR GREEN BRUSH, only clean dry firewood is allowed.

 

Be courteous with your campfire, and take your neighbours into account so that the smoke does not become a nuisance.

 

Standard Open Air Burn permits for campfires, outdoor style fireplaces such as fire bowls and chimineas or a small brush pile are $27 per year and are valid for the calendar year. (January 1 – December 31).  All Open Air Burning Permits purchased after December 1st will be valid for the following year. 

Any variance to the Standard Open Air Burn permit must be approved and will require an inspection of the site. A fee of $62 is applicable.

 
Purchase an Online Burn Permit now.

 

Fire Permit Frequently Asked Questions

 

How do I purchase a permit?
Do I have to own the property
Yes. If you do not own the property, you must obtain written permission from the property owner each year.
What can I burn?
Only clean dry wood, such as small logs and twigs may be burned.
What can't I burn?
  • Garbage
  • Grass
  • Pressure treated wood
  • Leaves
  • Papers
  • Screws
  • Other metal
  • Plastic
  • Accelerant (i.e. gasoline, lighter fluid)
When can I burn?

Burning is recommended between the hours of 7 p.m. and 12 a.m. Midnight. For Urban residential areas, it is recommended that you limit burning to weekends.

Burning is not to take place on Smog Alert days or when winds will cause smoke to be a safety hazard or an annoyance to nearby properties or roadways.

What happens if my neighbour complains?

Burning in urban areas is a privilege. Please respect your neighbours and follow all guidelines and recommendations noted on your permit.

If your neighbour has a complaint (i.e. smoke blowing in through windows, health concerns, etc.) we ask that you please be courteous and put out the fire. Should a complaint come in to the Fire Department we will investigate, and if it is deemed necessary we will revoke the permit.

Failure to comply with any requirements may lead to charges

Fees & Charges
 Fire Department Fees and Charges can be found on Schedule B of the Fees and Charges By-law.
By-laws
By-law to Establish and Regulate a Fire Department

Contact Us