Hamilton Fire Department
 | |
| Operational area | |
|---|---|
| Country |  Canada |
| Province |  Ontario |
| City |  Hamilton |
| Agency overview | |
| Established | 2001 (amalgamation) |
| Fire chief | David Cunliffe |
| Motto | Protect and promote quality of life and public safety |
| Facilities and equipment[1] | |
| Divisions | 1 |
| Battalions | 3 |
| Stations | 26 |
| Engines | 23 |
| Trucks | 10 |
| Platforms | 1 |
| Squads | 3 |
| Rescues | 5 |
| Tenders | 11 |
| HAZMAT | 1 |
| Wildland | 1 |
| Website | |
| Official website | |
The Hamilton Fire Department provides fire protection, technical rescue services, hazardous materials response, and first responder emergency medical assistance to the city of Hamilton, Ontario.
History
[edit]The fire department in Hamilton dates back to 1879, when Alexander Aitchison was appointed Fire Chief of the city.[2] Aitchison was responsible for radically reforming the department, and during his tenure, the department was changed into an entirely paid one, as well as introducing the first swinging harness and sliding pole in Canada.[2]
Starting in 1990, Hamilton area firefighters have been instructed on how to operate heart defibrillators, as it often takes less time for firefighters to reach victims compared to ambulance paramedics. A study found that the policy change decreased the amount of time between a 911 call and when the patient received defibrillation by almost 30 percent.[3]
In 1997, the department faced one of its worst crises: the Plastimet fire. The fire was located at a plastics-recycling facility, and began a warehouse containing bales of polyvinyl chloride plastics. Firefighters battled the conflagration for four days, and the plume of toxins and smoke released by the burning plastics may have caused the deaths of several Hamilton firefighters in the years after the fire.[4][5] The Plastimet fire remains the largest plastics fire in Canadian history, and one of Canada's worst environmental disasters. [6]
In 2001, Hamilton amalgamated with the other municipalities of Hamilton-Wentworth Region to create an expanded City of Hamilton. As a result, the Hamilton Fire Department, which served the original city, was merged with the fire departments of Ancaster, Dundas, Flamborough, Glanbrook and Stoney Creek.[7] The department went from 12 stations to 26, and became a composite department with both full-time and paid-on-call firefighters.[8]
In 2010, the department changed to a 24-shift schedule. Previously, firefighters had worked 10-hour day shifts and 14-hour night shifts.[9]
In 2011, the department hired Rob Simonds as its new chief, replacing the retiring Jim Kay.[10]
In 2012, a firefighter was terminated after using racial slurs during an argument with a coworker. In 2015, an arbitrator determined that the firefighter had been terminated without just cause. [11] The firefighter was reinstated, and received a 10-day suspension in accordance with the arbitrator's findings.[12] The other firefighter involved in the altercation received a 5-day suspension for his role in the incident. [11] The incident led to calls for greater diversity in the department.[12]
In 2016, David Cunliffe was appointed Fire Chief, succeeding Robert Simonds. [13]
In 2019, a Hamilton firefighter suffered serious injuries after falling off the edge of the Niagara Escarpment while trying to rescue a group of lost hikers. [14]
Fire stations and apparatus
[edit]| Station | Address | Build year(s) | Apparatus |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (Central Station) | 35 John St. N | 1913/1976/2006 | Engine 1, Ladder 1, Pumper 1, Platoon Chief 1, Supply 1, Air 1 |
| 2 | 1400 Upper Wellington St. | 1991 | Engine 2, District Chief 3 |
| 3 | 965 Garth St. | 1978/2000 | Engine 3 |
| 4 | 729 Upper Sherman Ave. | 1994 | Ladder 4, Engine 4, Support 4, HazMat 2 |
| 5 & 22 (Training) | 1227 Stone Church Rd. E | 2011 | Ladder 5, Car 73, Command Unit, Car 1, Car 2, Car 3, Car 10, Pump 47, Pump 90, Ladder 90, Training 1, Training 2, Training 3, Training 4, Training 5, Supply 2, RIT trailer, Support 41 |
| 6 | 246 Wentworth St. N | 1982 | Pump 6, Car 74, Air 6, Parade 1926 Bickle-Ahrens-Fox, Box 43, Box 43A |
| 7 | 225 Quigley Rd. | 1985 | Engine 7 |
| 8 | 400 Melvin Ave. | 1957/2000 | Engine 8, District Chief 2 |
| 9 | 125 Kenilworth Ave. N | 2002 | Pump 9, Ladder 9 |
| 10 | 1455 Main St. W | 1953/2000 | Ladder 10 |
| 11 | 24 Ray St. S | 1959/2013 | Engine 11 |
| 12 | 199 Hamilton Regional Rd. 8 | 1989 | Engine 12, Ladder 12, Support 12 (Cross-staffed by L12) |
| 13 (Mechanical Division) | 177 Bay St. N | Maintenance 1, Maintenance 2, Mobile Fire Pump Testing and Training Unit | |
| 14 | 595 Chapel Hill Rd. | Tanker 14, Fire Safety House | |
| 15 | 415 Arvin Ave. | 1995 | Pump 15 |
| 16 | 939 Barton St. | 1995 | Pump 16, Tanker 16, Squad 16 |
| 17 | 363 Isaac Brock Dr. | 1985 | Engine 17, Tanker 17, Pump 17 |
| 18 | 2636 Hamilton Regional Rd. 56 | 2001 | Pump 18, Ladder 18, Tanker 18, Rescue 18 |
| 19 | 3302 Homestead Dr. | 1991 | Pump 19, Tanker 19, Rescue 19 |
| 20 | 661 Garner Rd. E., Ancaster | 2009 | Ladder 20 |
| 21 | 365 Wilson St. W., Ancaster | 1990 | Engine 21, Pump 21, Tanker 21, Support 21, Trail 1 |
| 23 | 19 Memorial Square, Dundas | 1972 | Engine 23, Support 23, Parade |
| 24 | 256 Parkside Dr., Waterdown | 1992 | Engine 24, Ladder 24, Tanker 24, Support 24 |
| 25 | 361 Old Brock Rd., Greensville | 1967/2000 | Pump 25, Tanker 25, Rescue 25, Brush 25 |
| 26 | 119 Lynden Rd., Lynden | 1976/1995 | Pump 26, Tanker 26, Support 26 |
| 27 | 795 Old Highway 8, Rockton | 1967/1993 | Pump 27, Tanker 27, Squad 27 |
| 28 | 1801 Brock Rd., Freelton | 1962/1994 | Pump 28, Tanker 28, Rescue 28 |
| 29 (Fire Prevention) | 55 King William St. | Fire Prevention 1, Fire Prevention 2 | |
| 30 (Stores) | 489 Victoria Ave. N |
Response Guidelines and Special Units
[edit]Urban Responses
[edit]| Call Type | Alarm Level | Initial Assignment |
|---|---|---|
| Report of Structure Fire | Fire | 3 Engines, 1 Ladder, 1 Rescue, 1 District Chief, 2 Safety Officers (Car 73, Car 74)
or 2 Engines, 2 Ladders, 1 Rescue, 1 District Chief, 2 Safety Officers (Car 73, Car 74) |
| Multiple Alarm (Upgrade) | Fire | 1 Engine, 1 Ladder, 1 District Chief, Box 43 Rehab Unit |
| Fire Alarm | Fire | 2 Units (Engine, Ladder or Rescue) |
| Smoke
Appliance Fire Unknown Fire Fire Out Chimney Fire |
Fire | 1 Engine and 1 Ladder |
| Vehicle Fire
Rubbish Fire Grass Fire Smoke Detector Residential Alarm Burn Complaint |
Fire | 1 Engine or 1 Ladder |
| Medical
EMS/Police Assist Carbon Monoxide Odours - Fire Related Gas Spill - Minor Propane Leak - Minor Hydro Problem Electrical Problem Furnace Problem Flooding |
Assistance | 1 Engine or 1 Ladder or 1 Rescue |
| Vehicle Accident | Rescue | 1 Engine or 1 Ladder, 1 Rescue |
| Vehicle Accident - Entrapment
Vehicle Accident - Highway |
Rescue | 2 Engines, 1 Rescue
or 1 Engine, 1 Ladder, 1 Rescue |
| Stuck Elevator | Rescue | 1 Engine, 1 Ladder, 1 Rescue |
| Rail Trail | Rescue | 1 Engine or 1 Rescue, 1 District Chief |
| Pool Rescue
Water Rescue |
Rescue | 1 Engine, 1 Rescue, 1 District Chief
or 2 Engines, 1 District Chief |
| Industrial Accident | Rescue | 2 Engines, 1 Rescue |
| Rope Rescue | Rescue | Closest Engine or Ladder, 3 Technical Rescue Engines, 1 Rescue, Confined Space Support 23, 1 District Chief, 2 Safety Officers (Car 73, Car 74) |
| Confined Space | Rescue | Closest Engine or Ladder, 3 Technical Rescue Engines, 1 HAZMAT Unit, 1 Rescue, Confined Space Support 23, 1 District Chief, 2 Safety Officers (Car 73, Car 74) |
| HAZMAT Odours
Propane Leak - Major |
HAZMAT | 1 Engine or 1 Ladder or 1 Rescue, 1 HAZMAT Unit |
| Natural Gas | HAZMAT | 2 Engines, 1 Ladder, 1 Rescue, 1 District Chief, 2 Safety Officers (Car 73, Car 74) |
| HAZMAT - L1 | HAZMAT | Closest Engine or Ladder, 1 HAZMAT Unit |
| HAZMAT - L2 | HAZMAT | Closest Engine or Ladder, HAZMAT 2, Rescue 4, HAZMAT Support 4, 1 District Chief, 2 Safety Officers (Car 73, Car 74) |
| HAZMAT - L3 | HAZMAT | 2 Closest Engines or Ladders, 2 HAZMAT Engines, HAZMAT 2, Rescue 4, HAZMAT Support 4, 1 District Chief, 2 Safety Officers (Car 73, Car 74) |
Rural Responses
[edit]| Call Type | Alarm Level | Initial Assignment |
|---|---|---|
| Report of Structure Fire | Fire | 2 Urban Engines or Ladders, 2 Pumpers, 1 Ladder or Tower, 1 Rescue, Squad or Support Unit, 4 Tankers, 1 District Chief, 2 Safety Officers (Car 73, Car 74) |
| Fire Alarm
Smoke Appliance Fire Unknown Fire Fire Out Chimney Fire |
Fire | 1 Pumper, 1 Tanker, 1 Rescue, Squad, Support Unit or Ladder |
| Vehicle Fire
Rubbish Fire Grass Fire Smoke Detector Residential Alarm Burn Complaint |
Fire | 1 Pumper and 1 Tanker |
| Medical
EMS/Police Assist Carbon Monoxide Odours - Fire Related Gas Spill - Minor Propane Leak - Minor Hydro Problem Electrical Problem Furnace Problem Flooding |
Assistance | 1 Pumper or 1 Rescue or 1 Squad or 1 Support Unit |
| Vehicle Accident | Rescue | 1 Pumper, 1 Tanker, 1 Rescue or 1 Squad or 1 Ladder |
| Vehicle Accident - Highway | Rescue | 2 Urban Engines, 1 Rescue, 1 Tanker (Ancaster - 403)
or 1 Urban Engine, 1 Ladder, 1 Rescue, 1 Squad, 1 Tanker (Stoney Creek - QEW) |
| Pool Rescue
Water Rescue |
Rescue | 1 Urban Engine, 1 Pumper, 1 Rescue, Squad or Support Unit, 1 District Chief, Marine Rescue Support 12 |
| Industrial Accident | Rescue | 1 Urban Engine, 1 Urban Rescue, 1 Pumper, 1 Tanker, 1 Rescue, Squad, Support Unit or Tower |
| Rope Rescue | Rescue | 1 Pumper, 1 Tanker, 1 Rescue, 3 Technical Rescue Engines, Confined Space Support 23, 1 District Chief, Safety Chief (Car 73) |
| Confined Space | Rescue | 1 Pumper, 1 Tanker, 1 Rescue, 3 Technical Rescue Engines, 1 HAZMAT Unit, Confined Space Support 23, 1 District Chief, Safety Chief (Car 73) |
| HAZMAT Odours
Propane Leak - Major |
HAZMAT | 1 Pumper, 1 Tanker, 1 HAZMAT Unit |
| Natural Gas | HAZMAT | 1 Urban Engine, 1 Urban Rescue, 2 Pumpers, 1 Ladder, 1 Rescue, Squad, Support Unit or Tower, 4 Tankers, 1 District Chief, Safety Chief (Car 73) |
| Aircraft Emergency (John C Munro Airport) | Rescue/HAZMAT | 1 Pumper, 1 Rescue, Squad, Support Unit or Tower, 3 Tankers, 2 HAZMAT Engines, HAZMAT 2, Rescue 4, HAZMAT Support 4, 1 District Chief, 2 Safety Officers (Car 73, Car 74) |
Special Units
[edit]| Team | Duties | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Technical Rescue | Rope Rescue
Confined Space Rescue |
Engine 3, Engine 12, Engine 17, Engine 23
Support 23 |
| HAZMAT | Hazardous Materials and CBRNE Incidents | Engine 8, Engine 11
Rescue 4 HAZMAT 2, HAZMAT Support 4 (Both Cross-Staffed by Ladder 4) |
| Marine Rescue | Water Rescue
Pool Rescue Vehicle into Water |
1 Engine, 1 Pumper, 1 District Chief, Support 12 (Cross-Staffed by Ladder 12) |
See also
[edit]- Hamilton Paramedic Service
- Hamilton Police Service
- City of Hamilton, Ontario
- Hamilton City Council
- Toronto Fire Services
- Mississauga Fire and Emergency Services
- Peel Regional Paramedic Services
- Ancaster, Ontario
- Dundas, Ontario
- Stoney Creek, Ontario
- Burlington, Ontario
- Volunteer Firefighter
References
[edit]- ^ "Stations". Hamilton Fire Department. 2014-10-30. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
- ^ a b Houghton, Margaret, ed. (22 October 2003). The Hamiltonians: 100 Fascinating Lives. Toronto, Canada: Lorimer. p. 8. ISBN 9781550288049. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
Hamilton Fire Department.
- ^ Shuster, Michael; Keller, Jana L (April 1993). "Effect of fire department first-responder automated defibrillation". Annals of Emergency Medicine. 22 (4). Mosby, Inc.: 721–727. doi:10.1016/s0196-0644(05)81856-6. PMID 8457103.
- ^ "Ontario Plastics Fire". Living on Earth. Public Radio International. 14 August 1998. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
- ^ Page, Shelley (13 February 2006). "The deadly toll". The Ottawa Citizen. CanWest MediaWorks Publications Inc. Archived from the original on 27 December 2015. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
- ^ "Remembering the destruction of the Plastimet fire, 20 years later | CBC News".
- ^ "City of Hamilton Act, 1999". 2014-07-24. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
- ^ "Home Page". City of Hamilton. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
- ^ "Hamilton firefighters going to 24-hour shift". Hamilton Spectator. 17 December 2010. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
- ^ "Hamilton a 'good fit,' says new fire chief". Hamilton Spectator. 11 February 2011. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
- ^ a b Buist, Steve (27 February 2015). "Hamilton firefighter wins back job after fist fight, racial slur". Hamilton Spectator. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
- ^ a b O'Reilly, Nicole. "Hamilton fire department looking for a few good men - actually women". Hamilton Spectator. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
- ^ "Hamilton picks one of its own for fire chief | HamiltonNews.com".
- ^ "Hamilton firefighter suffers serious injuries after fall during Albion Falls rescue | CBC News".
- ^ "Fire Stations - City of Hamilton". City of Hamilton. 2014-10-30. Retrieved 28 March 2016.
- ^ "Third Alarm, May/June 2012" (PDF). Ontario Fire Buff Associates. Retrieved 28 March 2016.
