Meaford Fire Department

09/03/2026

The Meaford Fire Department would like to congratulate Captain Evan Davis for his 16 years of service with us. We are also excited to announce he is taking on a new role as Fire Chief with Temiskaming Shores Fire Department. Yesterday, was officially Captain Davis’ last day with our department.

Fire Chief Rob Pilon was proud to present Captain Davis with his 15-year service pin and his Captain’s helmet, recognizing his dedication and service to our department over the past 16 years.

“Evan’s contributions to training, firefighting, and mentorship will never be forgotten. The knowledge and experience he has shared with our members have made a lasting impact on this department. His pager and radio have now been handed in, marking the official end of one chapter and the beginning of an exciting new one. Temiskaming Shores will be in good hands with Chief Davis’ leadership”

Congratulations Chief Davis on your new role and this next adventure. You’ve earned it, and we wish you nothing but success.

09/01/2026

🔥 Meaford Fire is Hiring! 🔥

Now Recruiting Volunteer Firefighters

Meaford Fire Department is looking for dedicated individuals to join our team! If you’re committed to serving your community, and enjoy working as part of a team, we want to hear from you.

If you're at least 18 years old, motivated, physically capable, willing to challenge yourself, and live within 5km of our fire station (81 Stewart St, Meaford) send us your resume by September 15th.

No prior firefighting experience is required.
Training and compensation will be provided.

View the Job Posting and Applicant Guide here: https://www.meaford.ca/fire-department/

Please ensure you submit your Resume/CV and Applicant Questionnaire to [email protected] by September 15th!

08/31/2026

08/28/2026

The Meaford Fire Department will host a public 9/11 Memorial Ceremony on Friday, September 11 at 10:00 a.m. at the Meaford Fire Hall.

The ceremony will mark the 25th anniversary of 9/11 and offer a time for the community to come together in remembrance and reflection. The event will include remarks, a moment of silence, a prayer, and an opportunity to honour the impact of 9/11 on first responders and communities around the world.

The Fire Hall museum will also be open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. for anyone who would like to pay their respects.

Learn more at meaford.ca/news.

08/19/2026

Lithium-ion batteries power many of the devices we use every day, from phones and laptops to e-bikes, power tools and now electric vehicles. While they are generally safe when used and cared for properly, there is an added level of caution when we notice damaged, defective, overcharged, or improperly stored batteries. These batteries can overheat and enter a dangerous condition known as thermal runaway, which can result in a fire with rapid growth, and the release of toxic gases. Recognizing the warning signs, such as unusual heat, swelling, leaking, hissing, smoke, or a strong odour are an important part of fire prevention.

The fire and life safety message is simple: use the charger designed for the battery, follow the manufacturer's instructions, never use a damaged battery, and avoid charging batteries where they can block exits or be exposed to heat. We can significantly reduce the risk of a serious fire and help keep our homes, families, and communities safe. Ensure your batteries are certified by a Canadian organization (CSA, cUL, or cETL) which is usually found on the specifications on the battery themselves.

Some tips to consider:
- Charge on hard, flat surfaces. Avoid beds, couches, or anything that can trap heat.
- Unplug once fully charged. Avoid charging overnight or when unattended.
- Use the charger and battery that came with your device. Don't mix or substitute parts.
- Watch for warning signs. Stop using any battery that is swollen, leaking, discoloured, or smells odd.
- Never throw batteries in household garbage or recycling bins. They can spark fires during transport or disposal.
- Recycle properly. Take batteries and battery-powered devices to an approved drop-off or hazardous waste site.

Hazardous and E-Waste collection dates are every second Saturday in Meaford. Located at 87 Stewart St from 9am – 12pm. Visit thew new and improved Meaford website for more information.

08/19/2026

Lithium-ion batteries power many of the devices we use every day, from phones and laptops to e-bikes, power tools and now electric vehicles. While they are generally safe when used and cared for properly, there is an added level of caution when we notice damaged, defective, overcharged, or improperly stored batteries. These batteries can overheat and enter a dangerous condition known as thermal runaway, which can result in a fire with rapid growth, and the release of toxic gases. Recognizing the warning signs, such as unusual heat, swelling, leaking, hissing, smoke, or a strong odour are an important part of fire prevention.

The fire and life safety message is simple: use the charger designed for the battery, follow the manufacturer's instructions, never use a damaged battery, and avoid charging batteries where they can block exits or be exposed to heat. We can significantly reduce the risk of a serious fire and help keep our homes, families, and communities safe. Ensure your batteries are certified by a Canadian organization (CSA, cUL, or cETL) which is usually found on the specifications on the battery themselves.

Some tips to consider:
- Charge on hard, flat surfaces. Avoid beds, couches, or anything that can trap heat.
- Unplug once fully charged. Avoid charging overnight or when unattended.
- Use the charger and battery that came with your device. Don't mix or substitute parts.
- Watch for warning signs. Stop using any battery that is swollen, leaking, discoloured, or smells odd.
- Never throw batteries in household garbage or recycling bins. They can spark fires during transport or disposal.
- Recycle properly. Take batteries and battery-powered devices to an approved drop-off or hazardous waste site.

Hazardous and E-Waste collection dates are every second Saturday in Meaford. Located at 87 Stewart St from 9am – 12pm. Visit thew new and improved Meaford website for more information.

Used to power electric bikes, e-scooters and a long list of products, the popular batteries are being blamed for three separate fires over the last week alone in Toronto.

08/18/2026

Introducing Meaford Tanker 314
2010 International - Pierce Contender

It has a water tank capacity of 6654 L and a pumping capacity of 1605 L/min at 1035 Kpa at 1225 RPM. It has a seating capacity of 3. This truck responds first to all reported grass and brush fires, while sometimes towing our Trailer 341/UTV. It responds third to all other rural fires/alarms and other calls as required.

Similar to E313, it holds a large quantity of water, primarily for rural water shuttling and firefighting purposes. It is equipped with a small pump, carries two wildland hose packs, two porta-tanks, 2 crosslays (attack hoses) and 1 portable pump, strainers, hard suction hoses and life jackets.

This additional tanker provides the water capacity to transport a large volume of water from a fill site, directly to the fire scene, reducing the need to request assistance from neighbouring fire departments, unless operational demands or available resources dictate otherwise.

In addition, Its smaller, more agile design also provides greater flexibility. Its PTO-driven pump allows for “pump and roll” operations through fields, around brush fires, and onto properties where grass or brush fires may be located a considerable distance from the roadway. This capability can significantly reduce the need to deploy thousands of feet of hose, depending on the location and circumstances of the incident, while allowing crews to deliver water more efficiently.

08/12/2026

Last night, Meaford Fire responded to a residential property that reported having smoke in the basement. Upon arrival, all occupants were out of the house and firefighters entered to investigate. After some thorough investigation and ventilation of very light smoke, we discovered this burnt extension cord connected to a sump pump.

The photos show severe heat damage and melting/burning of a temporary electrical connection. This type of damage is a serious warning sign that an electrical connection has been carrying more current than it could safely handle, or that there may have been a poor connection. Either situation can produce enough heat to ignite surrounding materials. Thankfully, this was the only damage.

Extension cords are designed for temporary use and not to replace permanent household wiring. Every cord has a specific gauge, amperage and wattage rating. When too much electrical equipment is connected to a cord, the conductors can overheat. A damaged, undersized, or improperly rated cord makes that risk even greater.

Some tips to consider:
• Never exceed the cord's rated amperage or wattage.
• Use an extension cord that is properly rated for the equipment you are powering.
• Always use 3-pronged (grounded) cords for grounded tools and appliances. Never remove the grounding pin
• Do not connect extension cords or power strips together to gain additional length or outlets.
• Never use a cord that is frayed, cracked, melted, discolored, or showing signs of heat damage.
• If a plug or receptacle becomes hot, loose, discolored, melted, or smells like burning plastic, unplug it immediately if it is safe to do so and discontinue use.
• Extension cords should not be run under rugs, through walls, or where they can be damaged or pinched.
• Whenever possible, plug high-power appliances directly into a properly installed wall outlet.

Contact your local electrician or visit the Electrical Safety Authority website for additional information.

What these pictures demonstrate is that an electrical fire doesn't necessarily begin with dramatic sparks or flames. A cord or connection can quietly build up heat for an extended period. Once that heat reaches combustible materials- such as insulation, wood framing, furniture, or other household contents… a small electrical problem can become a structure fire.

08/10/2026

Introducing Meaford Fire Engine 313:
2007 Freightliner M2 - Dependable

It has a water tank capacity of 7110 L, a max pumping capacity of 5000 L/min at 1000 Kpa at 1605 RPM and a seating capacity of 5. This truck responds second to non-hydrant (rural) areas, second or third to in-town calls, and first to mutual aid or automatic aid requests. This is what the fire service calls a Pumper/Tanker.

Just like P311, it’s equipped with multiple firefighting hoses, appliances and equipment, backup auto extrication e-hydraulics, cribbing and some hand tools. It also carries 4 Self Contained Breathing Apparatuses, 8 spare bottles, multiple ladders and a portable pump to name a few.

Servicing a primarily rural area, this truck is extremely versatile. It’s able to serve as a secondary pumper with a larger water supply and also serves as the primary tanker shuttling water from a fill site to the emergency scene. It allows us to have more water on scene while waiting for other units and resources to arrive.

08/05/2026

Over the next several weeks we will be introducing our Fire Truck apparatuses. The public should be aware of what we have, why we have it, and how each truck is different from one another.

Introducing Meaford Fire Pump 311:
2014 Spartan ERV - Dependable

It has a water tank capacity of 3260 L, a max pumping capacity of 5000 L/min at 1000 Kpa at 1700 RPM and a seating capacity of 6. It’s our frontline truck that responds first to every call (except for tiered medicals and grass/brush fires).

It’s equipped with multiple firefighting hoses, appliances and equipment, auto extrication e-hydraulics, cribbing, hand tools, forcible entry tools, and decontamination items. It also carries 9 Self Contained Breathing Apparatuses, extra bottles, gas detectors, ladders and thermal imaging cameras to name a few.

Because this apparatus responds to nearly every emergency, it is the backbone of the department’s emergency response capability, ensuring the community receives prompt and effective service regardless of the type of incident.