Inter Township Fire Department Serving Georgian Bluffs and Meaford

04/15/2026

📞 National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week 📞

This week, the Inter Township Fire Department would like to recognize and thank the dedicated dispatchers at the Owen Sound Police Services Communications Centre.

Behind every call for help, there is a calm, steady voice guiding both the public and emergency responders through some of the most critical moments. Your professionalism, quick thinking, and unwavering commitment play a vital role in keeping our firefighters — and our communities — safe.

From coordinating emergency responses to ensuring clear and accurate communication on every call, your work does not go unnoticed. We truly appreciate everything you do, 24/7, 365 days a year.

On behalf of all our members — thank you for your dedication, your partnership, and your service.

Stay safe, and know that we are proud to work alongside you.

03/30/2026

The Grey Bruce OPP Detachment Board is recognizing the incredible efforts of emergency responders following the March 8 ice rescue on Georgian Bay.

The board would like to thank the multiple agencies who worked together in challenging conditions to safely rescue the stranded individuals, displaying a strong example of teamwork, coordination, and professionalism in action.

A special thank you to Cobble Beach Resort for stepping up as a staging area, providing warmth, food, and support to both those rescued and the responding teams.

“Our priority is always safety, and we’re proud of the teamwork shown to bring this situation to a safe conclusion,” said Detachment Commander Marla Barfoot.

03/19/2026

Help Shape the Future of Fire Services in Ontario!

Are you detail-oriented, ethical, and looking for a way to support professional standards in your community? The Office of the Fire Marshal’s Training and Certification team is looking for Examination Proctors to oversee certification testing across Ontario.

As a Proctor, you’ll play a vital role in maintaining the integrity and fairness of the certification process—ensuring our fire service professionals meet the highest standards.

The Details:
• 📍 Location: Various testing sites across Ontario
• 💼 Status: Casual (Weekdays & Weekends)

Why Join? This is a perfect opportunity for those in education, public service, or anyone looking to contribute to provincial safety standards in a structured, professional environment.

How to Apply
Ready to support the team? Click the following link to apply https://bit.ly/4bzzjMx

03/18/2026

03/15/2026

Always Remember P.A.S.S in an emergency when deploying a fire extinguisher. 🚒👩‍🚒⛑️🚨🧯🧯🧯🧯

In an emergency, every second counts. Knowing how to handle a fire extinguisher is a life-saving skill. 🧯🔥

P: Pull the pin. This unlocks the operating lever.
A: Aim at the base of the fire. Don't aim at the flames.
S: Squeeze the handle. This releases the extinguishing agent.
S: Sweep from side to side. Keep moving until the fire is completely out.

03/10/2026

The 9-1-1 ISSUE related to the Bell Copper lines has been resolved.

Public Safety Notice- Possible 911 Distruptions. The outage affecting copper lines in Owen Sound is attributed to a cable cut resulting from theft. https://www.owensoundpolice.com/owen-sound-police-news/

03/10/2026

Following the incredible rescue effort off the shores of Georgian Bluffs yesterday, the CAO Ryan Thompson and Fire Chief Jeff Gautreau have release a statement recognizing the responders who worked together to bring 23 people safely back to shore.

“Yesterday’s rescue is a powerful reminder of the professionalism, training, and teamwork that our firefighters and partner agencies bring to every emergency,” said CAO Ryan Thompson.

“It was truly a team effort,” added Fire Chief Jeff Gautreau. “It is remarkable to see how many different agencies can come together and go above and beyond in situations like this.”

Read the full statement here: https://www.georgianbluffs.ca/news/posts/joint-statement-cao-ryan-thompson-and-fire-chief-jeff-gautreau/

03/10/2026

Inter-Township Fire Department would like to extend our sincere thanks to all of the first responders who assisted at yesterday’s emergency involving more than 30 individuals stranded on a sheet of ice.

Through the coordinated efforts of multiple agencies, 23 people were airlifted by two OPP helicopters, while the remaining individuals were able to safely self-rescue and make their way to emergency responders waiting along the shoreline.

We would also like to recognize the outstanding work of the Owen Sound 911 Call Centre. Our fire dispatchers managed over 50 emergency calls from stranded fishermen while simultaneously coordinating the response of multiple agencies to the scene. Their calm and professional handling of the situation was critical in ensuring resources were deployed quickly and effectively.

Incidents like this highlight the importance of teamwork, communication, and the dedication of emergency services working together to keep our communities safe.

Thank you to everyone involved

02/07/2026

⚠️ Ice Safety Notice – From Inter Township Fire Department ⚠️

ITFD has received reports of people walking far out onto ice to take pictures or to play on the ice.

Ice conditions are very unpredictable. What looks safe from shore can quickly become dangerous.

We are especially concerned about:
• Blown ice piles
• Broken or shifted ice
• Shelf ice (ice along shorelines)

These types of ice are extremely unsafe and can give way without warning.

Please remember — you often cannot tell how thick the ice is just by looking at it.

🚫 Stay off ice unless it has been confirmed safe
🚫 Avoid shoreline and shelf ice areas
🚫 Keep children and pets off questionable ice

Your safety is our priority.