Whitewater Region Fire Department

05/30/2026

The call volume across all of Renfrew County was intense on Friday, with our own Whitewater Region Fire Department receiving several pages. Which leads to a very special thank you to the amazing people at the Renfrew Central Ambulance Communications Centre! They managed multiple calls at every Department, with radio traffic walking all over each other, and still maintain a truly professional, yet friendly, demeanour.

With the intense winds causing extensive damage yesterday, many of our residents will be running on generators through today. Generators can represent their own hazards (electrical, CO).

With that in mind, please remember some basic generator safety points when setting them up:

Operate your generator safely by following these tips:

- Never operate it indoors.

- Operate it at least 6 metres (20 feet) from buildings and direct the exhaust away from open windows and doors.

- Close all windows and doors closest to or downwind from the generator.

- Keep people and pets away from it when it’s on.

- Make sure it automatically shuts off when carbon monoxide levels are high.(You should still never use this type of generator indoors. It does not replace the need for carbon monoxide alarms in your home.)

05/22/2026

This past week saw our members responding for a variety of dispatches, from grass and structure fires to MVCs, and also going through some rigourous training on Wednesday evening.

Stations 1, 2 and 5 were utilizing Station 3's maze and outbuilding to train on Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) techniques. While we hope to never have to use them (RIT is reserved for a downed firefighter), they are vital skills that also impart abilities regarding things like primary Search & Rescue, radio communications, and various packaging/webbing techniques.

Meanwhile, Stations 3 and 4 met up at Little Lakes in Beachburg to train on drafting and portable pump skills. These are techniques we often utilize, so refreshing them frequently provides valuable practice for our members.

Thanks to Lt. Nathan Jahn, Firefighters Selain Dougherty, Travis Lafont, and Steve Barnett for providing photos.

05/09/2026

Just some of our members (past and present) being celebrated in Queen's Park!

Be sure to hang out with more of our awesome Firefighters at the Westmeath Firefighters Association tonight as they host Yuk Yuk's comedians for a hilarious evening.

05/08/2026

Thank you GlobalMedic for the assistance with managing the flood waters!

05/04/2026

On , we celebrate our members who go above and beyond every day. Whether it is training, weekly checks, or responding to emergencies 24/7 - our members always do their best!

05/04/2026

Emergency Preparedness Week is May 3–9 🧰

This year’s Ontario theme, “Prepared Together,” reminds us that we’re strongest when we look out for one another, neighbours, communities, and organizations alike.

Take a few minutes to get ready:

✅ Make a plan – It saves time and reduces stress in real emergencies
✅ Build a kit – Have enough supplies to stay safe for at least 72 hours
✅ Stay informed – Include a battery or crank radio in your kit

Being prepared starts with simple steps, take yours today.
➡ Visit: ontario.ca/BePrepared to learn more.

04/29/2026

While we are working with many agencies to manage flood waters along the Ottawa River, a large portion of Township of Whitewater Region is already facing dry conditions (with neighbouring fire departments already fighting grass/bush fires). Here are some tips to help keep your property resilient to wildfires!

This Saturday, May 2nd is Wildfire Community Preparedness Day!

A reminder during wildfire season to use best practices and make your property more fire resilient:
- Keep grass and weeds cut below 10 cm
- Keep a 1.5 metre non-combustible zone around your house and decks
- Maintain gutters and roofs, removing leaves and debris

Protect yourself. .

Learn more: https://www.ontario.ca/page/firesmart

04/28/2026

We sincerely appreciate the support from GlobalMedic during the spring flooding!

04/24/2026

It is always a pleasure working alongside our First Responder colleagues at the County of Renfrew Paramedic Service, and a rare privilege to work alongside the Sierra Team.