Emergency and Fire Services

Keeping Clarington safe today and planning for tomorrow is at the heart of everything we do. Clarington Emergency and Fire Services (CEFS) is supported by full-time and volunteer firefighters, five strategically located fire stations, a comprehensive fleet of emergency vehicles, and specialized equipment to respond to emergencies across our community. As Clarington grows and changes, Clarington is committed to evolving with it – through firefighter recruitment, ongoing training, modernized facilities, updated equipment and continued preparation for new neighbourhoods, businesses and developments. Together, we’re working hard to ensure Clarington has the people, skills, coverage and resources to keep our community safe today, and for years to come.  

Fire safety is a shared responsibility, and there are simple steps every household can take to help prevent emergencies and stay prepared. Explore these important fire safety tips to help protect yourself, your family and your home. 

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Headquarters

The Clarington Emergency and Fire Services Headquarters (formerly Shaw House) is located at 156 Church Street in Bowmanville, and is staffed by administrative, fire prevention, and training personnel.

Fire Stations

Clarington has five accredited fire stations located in specific areas within the Municipality to provide the best emergency response and cover a large geographic area. Every fire station has at least a pumper and a tanker truck. Additional pumper trucks, aerial trucks, rescue trucks and specialized equipment are located throughout the Municipality to assist in operations.

Station 1

Located at 2430 Highway 2 in Bowmanville, Station 1 is a composite fire station with full-time and volunteer firefighters. 

Station 1 is the location of Hope's Cradle, a place where parents may safely surrender an infant. A parent wishing to use this service can come to the unmonitored Hope’s Cradle Surrender Site. Inside the door, they will find a bassinet to place the surrendered baby in and an information package for them to take. The package contains a medical form for the baby’s history and an addressed prepaid envelope. The parent will also receive information about the local support available to them, how the process works, and their rights should they change their mind. Once they leave the child and close the door, firefighters will get an alert that a baby has been placed in the cradle and will retrieve the infant. Paramedics will be called to do a health evaluation of the child and transport to Bowmanville Hospital. Children’s Aid Society is contacted and will consult with Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child and Family Services as needed regarding the future care of the infant.

Station 2

Located at 3333 Highway 2 in Newcastle, Station 2 is a composite fire station staffed by both full-time and volunteer firefighters.

Station 3

Station 3 is located at 5708 Main Street in Orono and is staffed by volunteer firefighters.

Station 4

Located at 2611 Trulls Road in Courtice, Station 4 is a composite fire station staffed by both full-time and volunteer firefighters.

Station 5

Station 5 is located at 2354 Concession Road 8 in Enniskillen and is staffed by volunteer firefighters.

At Station 2 and Station 4, small groups of up to three people are welcome to drop in for a tour with firefighters.

Please submit a tour request for groups larger than three people using the Service Clarington portal. The Fire Prevention Team will arrange your tour at Station 2, 3, 4, or 5.

The Fire Master Plan is a document that provides the groundwork and vision for the operations of the fire department. It guides Council as it makes decisions regarding the delivery of fire protection services based on the Municipality's local needs and circumstances.

Our vision

A community free from loss of life, injuries and property damage.

Our mission

An innovative service dedicated to protecting our community through education, prevention, and emergency response.

Our core values

Professionalism: A commitment to excellence in everything we do.

Integrity: Dedicated to honesty and accountability while holding ourselves to a high ethical standard.

Compassion: Devoted to treating people with dignity and kindness.

By-law 2023-32 outlines the roles and responsibilities of Clarington Emergency and Fire Services.

Community safety is our number one concern, and that priority is reflected in the following legislation.

Smoke alarm law

Every home in Ontario must have a working smoke alarm on every storey and outside all sleeping areas.

  • Homeowners must install and maintain smoke alarms on every storey of their home and outside all sleeping areas.
  • Landlords must ensure their rental properties comply with the law.
  • Tenants should contact their property owner immediately if their apartment or condo does not have the required number of smoke alarms. It is against the law for tenants to remove the batteries or tamper with the alarm in any way.

Failure to comply with the Fire Code smoke alarm requirements could result in a ticket for $235 or a fine of up to $50,000 for individuals or $100,000 for corporations.

Carbon monoxide law

Carbon monoxide (CO) is known as the silent killer because it is an invisible, tasteless, odourless, and non-irritating gas that can be deadly. Over 65 per cent of CO-related injuries and deaths in Ontario occur in the home. A carbon monoxide alarm will alert you to the presence of this dangerous gas.

Effective January 1, 2026, Ontario’s Fire Code now requires CO alarms on every level of your home and outside every sleeping area. This applies if your home has an attached garage or fuel-burning appliances that use natural gas, propane, oil, or wood. Learn more about carbon monoxide safety

Move Over Law

The "move over law" protects first responders from traffic.

When approaching a stopped emergency vehicle with its lights flashing, slow down and proceed with caution. Move into another lane if you can do so safely. Pay attention to traffic, the road conditions and the weather to ensure that you do not collide with the emergency vehicle or endanger any person outside the emergency vehicle.

Following a fire department vehicle

Drivers must stay at least 150 metres back from a fire department vehicle responding to an alarm. If you can stop safely behind an emergency services vehicle, you must do so.

Fines

Anyone found guilty of an offence is liable for:

  • A fine of not less than $400 and not more than $2,000 for a first offence.
  • A fine of not less than $1,000 and not more than $4,000 and imprisonment up to six months for each subsequent offence.

There are also Municipal by-laws that regulate in-home apartments and open-air burning.

We partner with many organizations to promote public safety. Visit our various community partners for public safety tips.

Products and safety

View the Government of Canada Recalls and Safety Alerts to find out important safety information about a wide variety of consumer products we use in Canada.

Two Clarington firefighters walking away from the fire truck in the background, white smoke rises from the ground around them.

Become a Firefighter

Learn the process of becoming a career or volunteer firefighter.

Apply now.

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Emergency Plan

Learn about Clarington's plan in the event of a community-wide emergency.

Learn more.

A women in her living room packing an emergency kit with canned goods, water, toilet paper and a first aid kit.

Emergency Preparedness

Preparing for an emergency is something all residents should do.

Learn how.

Farmer's field with green address road sign.

Farm 911: The Emily Project

When farm accidents happen in remote locations, time is of the essence. But without a clear address marker, it can be difficult for first responders to find the people who need help. 

Apply for a street marker.

Beepa the smoke alarm mascot and Sparky the fire dog mascot in front of a fire truck.

Fire Safety

Take steps to help prevent emergencies and stay prepared.

Learn more.

Fireworks exploding in the air.

Fireworks Permit

Learn about how fireworks are regulated and how to get a permit.

Celebrate safely.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to our most asked questions.

Learn more.

Outdoor Fire Guide

It's crucial to follow the rules and apply for a burn permit to ensure public safety.

Apply for a permit.

Public Education Programs

Learn more about public education programs, hall tours, safety lectures and fire safety training to families, community groups, clubs, schools and businesses.

Learn more.

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Vulnerable Occupancies

We provide a range of services to ensure vulnerable residents live in a fire-safe environment.

Learn more.

Frequently asked questions

Accessing information

Log in to the Service Clarington portal to make your request. 

You can request a file search for outstanding Ontario Fire Code violations against a property through our Service Clarington portal. Clarington Emergency and Fire Services must receive written authorization from the property owner or a copy of the Offer to Purchase stating that a file search must be conducted. If a fire inspection is requested, written authorization from the property owner must be provided. Payment must be received in full before we can process your request.

A file search costs $150 plus HST for buildings up to four units. An additional fee of $25 per unit plus HST applies for requests with buildings over the first four units.

A fire incident report is a routine disclosure request summarizing information about a specific incident; a file search is not a fire incident report.

For requests that require information beyond what is provided in the file search or fire incident report summary, please complete the Freedom of Information request. 

Fire safety

Requests for a general fire inspection of a property can be submitted directly to the Fire Prevention Office. You must provide written authorization from the property owner, along with the appropriate payment. Please note, we will not charge a fee for a fire safety inspection of a single-family home.

It is the property owner's responsibility to ensure that all requirements of the Ontario Fire Code are followed.

Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms will chirp to indicate an abnormal condition: low battery, alarm malfunction, hush feature activated, end of life indicator, or wireless interference.  Your owner's manual will explain the beep patterns. If you do not have the owner's manual, they are available online at the manufacturer’s website. 

The fire service no longer fills or services fire extinguishers. Check online for fire extinguisher service providers in your area.

To schedule a fire drill, contact a member of the Fire Prevention team at 905-623-5126.

Fire Department response

Immediately pull your vehicle over as close as possible to the right-hand curb or edge of the road without blocking an intersection. If you're on a one-way street with more than two lanes, pull over to the nearest curb or edge, clear of an intersection.

It is illegal to follow within 150 metres of a fire vehicle responding to an alarm. 

Vehicles must not park within three metres of a fire hydrant.

Clarington firefighters have Emergency Medical Responder training and follow medical directives, which allows them to respond to various medical calls.

On-duty crews must always be ready to respond to an emergency call. Firefighters also visit buildings to familiarize themselves with building layout and access points in case they need to respond to an emergency.

This is called ventilation. It helps remove smoke, superheated, poisonous and explosive gases for firefighter safety and visibility. It also allows firefighters to get inside the building to find and extinguish the fire, reducing property damage. It can also reduce the chance of a possible dangerous explosion. 

We block traffic lanes for the safety of our crews and patients. Blocking extra lanes provides a safe working area for firefighters while accessing equipment, providing patient care, or conducting an extrication. Many firefighters are killed or injured each year while working at incidents on streets and highways. 

Fire trucks are strategically positioned to make sure vehicles slow down and change lanes accordingly when they approach an emergency scene. It also establishes a safe work zone for emergency responders. Fire trucks often park on the road during fire emergencies because there is nowhere else for them to go. 

Driving over fire hoses can cause damage to the hose and interrupt the flow of water being used for firefighting. It could cause injuries or even death. Any hose that is driven over without protection must be taken out of service and tested. 

Weeds and bushes should be kept three feet from fire hydrants for visibility and accessibility. 

Fire Services do not typically assist in rescuing animals. You can contact Animal Services at 905-623-3379. 

Get out of the house. Call 9-1-1 from a cell phone or a neighbour’s house. Using a phone inside your home could cause the gas to ignite.

Emergency calls represent a small percentage of the work firefighters perform. The number of fires has steadily decreased over the years due to improvements in construction, a greater public awareness of the risk factors leading to fires, and a significant reduction in smoking nationwide.

Clarington Emergency and Fire Services respond to a variety of emergencies. Nearly 70 per cent of the calls we respond to are medical responses. Other calls for emergency response involve:

  • Hazardous material releases
  • Technical rescues
  • Motor vehicle collisions
  • Response to fire alarms
  • Calls for public assistance

Firefighters also spend a lot of time maintaining equipment, training, conducting in-service inspections, and doing associated administrative work.

Depending on the size of a fire, it can take many firefighters to complete various roles at the scene. These tasks can put firefighters and the public at risk. We set up a command and control approach when managing a fire scene to ensure public safety and the occupational health and safety of firefighters responding to the fire. 

Stay in touch

From upcoming park openings to local events, development proposals, things to do in Clarington, construction notices and service interruptions – we invite you to learn what’s happening in your neighbourhood right from the source.

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