Oliver Paipoonge Fire & Emergency Services

09/15/2026

🚒🔥 OPFES MEMBERS HEAD TO FIRECON 2026! 🔥🚒

Once again, members of Oliver Paipoonge Fire & Emergency Services (OPFES) will be participating in FireCon, taking place September 14–19 in Thunder Bay.

So, what exactly is FireCon?

For more than 30 years, FireCon has provided firefighters and emergency first responders from across Northwestern Ontario with access to comprehensive, recognized fire service training. Hosted annually by Emergency North Training, the event combines classroom learning, hands-on practical training, professional development and opportunities to learn alongside members of other emergency services. (Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs⁠)

For OPFES, investing in training is an investment in our members, our department and, most importantly, the safety of the community we serve.

🚒 Train. Learn. Grow. Serve.

We wish all of our OPFES members and all firefighters attending FireCon 2026 near and far, a safe, successful and rewarding week of training!

09/14/2026

🚒🌾 THANK YOU FOR A GREAT DAY AT THE PLOWING MATCH! 🌾🚒

Oliver Paipoonge Fire & Emergency Services had a wonderful day at the Rural Heritage Days – Slate River Plowing Match!

We enjoyed connecting with families visiting from near and far, sharing fire safety and prevention information, and answering your questions. Children also had the opportunity to get a closer look at two of the many vehicles in our fleet! 🚒

Thank you to the organizers, volunteers and everyone who stopped by to see us. Your smiles, curiosity and conversations made it a memorable day!

Proudly serving our community—on and off the emergency scene. ❤️

09/14/2026

⏱️🏠 HOW QUICKLY CAN YOUR FAMILY GET OUT SAFELY?

Having a home fire escape plan is important—but a plan only works when everyone knows how to use it.

Practise your escape drill at least twice a year, including once after dark. Time the drill to identify delays and improve your plan, but remember: this is about safe, controlled movement—not racing.

During your drill:

🚨 Begin when the smoke alarm sounds.
➡️ Follow your planned escape route.
🚪 Practise using a second exit in case the first is blocked.
👟 Move quickly and carefully—never stop for belongings.
🌳 Go directly to your outdoor meeting place.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Account for every person in your household.
📞 Practise identifying who will call 9-1-1 once outside.
🚫 Never go back inside.

Include children, older adults, anyone who may need assistance and your plan for safely alerting firefighters about pets.

After the drill, talk about what worked and what needs to change. Make sure doors and windows open easily and all escape routes remain clear.

Everyone out. Everyone accounted for.

Get out. Stay out. Call 9-1-1.

09/11/2026

🚒🌾 COME SEE US AT THE SLATE RIVER PLOWING MATCH! 🌾🚒

Oliver Paipoonge Fire & Emergency Services will be attending the Rural Heritage Days – Slate River Plowing Match tomorrow!

📅 Saturday, September 12, 2026
⏰ 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Stop by our display, meet members of our team and learn more about fire and life safety. We look forward to seeing you there!

09/11/2026

What are some of the benefits when you join your local fire department?
Help your neighbours and your community
Accidental coverage through VFIS
Training at no cost out of pocket
Transferrable certifications (NFPA)
Compensation for attendance
Personal Protective Equipment provided

Apply today!
Application deadline: October 12th 2026

Oliver Paipoonge Fire and Emergency Services is now accepting applications for paid per call Firefighters and Emergency First Responders. 

09/11/2026

We Remember 9/11

Today, we pause to honour the lives lost on September 11, 2001, including the courageous firefighters, emergency responders, law enforcement officers and civilians who made the ultimate sacrifice.

We remember their bravery.
We remember their service.
We remember the families, colleagues and communities forever changed.

Never forgotten. 🕯️

— Oliver Paipoonge Fire & Emergency Services

09/11/2026

Choose a Safe Family Meeting Place.

When escaping a home fire, everyone should go directly to the same designated meeting place. This allows your family—and arriving firefighters—to quickly determine whether everyone is safely outside.

Choose a location that is:

✅ A safe distance from your home
✅ Easy for every family member to recognize
✅ Away from smoke, fire, traffic and responding emergency vehicles
✅ Accessible during every season and at any time of day

Your meeting place could be a neighbourhood mailbox, tree, utility pole, neighbour’s driveway or another permanent landmark.

Make sure everyone knows:

➡️ Leave immediately when the smoke alarm sounds.
➡️ Go directly to the meeting place.
➡️ Stay together and account for every person.
➡️ Call 9-1-1 from outside.
➡️ Tell firefighters if someone or a pet may still be inside.
➡️ Never go back inside for people, pets or belongings.

Include the meeting place in every home escape drill so reaching it becomes automatic.

Get out. Stay out. Meet up.
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09/09/2026

💙 PROSTATE HEALTH MATTERS

Taking Care of our Brothers in Service

Strong men protect their communities.
Strong men protect their health.

Ontario Screening Information

In Ontario, prostate cancer screening is not automatic — it starts with a conversation.
✔️ Men 50+ should speak with their healthcare provider
✔️ Men 45+ with family history should discuss earlier screening
✔️ Screening may include a PSA blood test and/or physical exam
✔️ PSA testing is covered by OHIP when medically indicated

Talk to your family doctor or nurse practitioner about what’s right for you.

🚒 For Our Male First Responders

Shift work. Stress. Long calls.
We look after everyone else — but we must look after ourselves too.

If you’re over 45 or have risk factors, book the appointment.
Encourage your crew to do the same.

Taking care of our Brothers in Service means speaking up about health.

🚨 Don’t Ignore Symptoms

• Frequent urination (especially at night)
• Weak or interrupted flow
• Blood in urine
• Pelvic or lower back discomfort

Early detection saves lives.

💙 Strong. Resilient. Proactive.

Book the check.
Start the conversation.
Support your brothers.

09/07/2026

Does your family have a Home Fire Escape Plan?

A fire can spread quickly, leaving only minutes to escape. A simple plan—practised regularly—can help everyone in your household know exactly what to do.

Create your plan together:

✏️ Draw a floor plan of your home.
🚪 Mark every door and window.
➡️ Identify two ways out of every room whenever possible.
🚨 Mark the locations of your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
🌳 Choose a safe meeting place outside, such as a tree, mailbox or neighbour’s driveway.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Assign someone to assist young children, older adults, anyone with mobility needs and pets.
📞 Once safely outside, call 9-1-1.

Practise your escape plan twice a year, including a drill after dark. Make sure everyone can open doors and windows and reach the meeting place safely.

If smoke blocks your first exit, use your second way out. Once outside, stay outside—never return for belongings or pets. Tell firefighters if someone may still be inside.

Draw it. Practise it. Know two ways out.

Get out. Stay out. Call 9-1-1.

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09/04/2026

It's that time of the year again, RECRUITMENT IS OPEN.
Want to join the Oliver Paipoonge Fire and Emergency Services team? Apply today!
Application deadline: October 12th 2026
Have more questions? Contact our Training Officer [email protected]

Oliver Paipoonge Fire and Emergency Services is now accepting applications for paid per call Firefighters and Emergency First Responders.