Fire Safety & Rescue Services

Education and training can help prevent fires and keep you and your family safe. Most fatal house fires occur during the night, which gives you little time to react. The County of Lanark encourages you to take preventative measures to keep you and your loved ones safe.

Fire Departments

While the responsibility to provide fire protection is with the local municipality, Lanark County provides communication services for Lanark County Fire Departments under one agreement. This service is provided by the Town of Smiths Falls Fire Department.

For more information on fire safety, including burn permits, fire prevention and safety education, please contact your local fire department:

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms

According to the Ontario Fire Code, all homes must have a working smoke alarm on every storey and outside all sleeping areas. There must also be a carbon monoxide alarm on each level with sleeping accommodations, if there are fuel-fired appliances such as furnaces, fireplaces, hot water heaters etc. or if there is an attached garage. Learn more about smoke alarm safety and laws by exploring:

• Smoke Alarm Information – Government of Ontario
• Carbon monoxide information

To maintain your smoke alarms and ensure they are working, you should:

• Test all smoke alarms monthly
• Replace batteries annually
• Replace alarms every 10 years

Fire Escape Planning

It is critical to develop a fire escape plan for your home so that you can get out of your home quickly in the event of a fire. To make an escape plan, follow these steps:

• Draw a floor plan of your home
• Include all possible emergency exits
• Include any important feature that could help you escape (i.e. windows, doors, nearby trees, porches, etc.)
• Mark two escape routes from each room
• Decide who will assist with young, elderly or physically challenged family members
• Choose a meeting location outside

Once you've developed a plan, you need to:

• Make sure everyone is familiar with the plan
• Practice the escape plan

Rescue Services

Lanark County owns and maintains a fleet of three heavy rescue vehicles. Each of the vehicles are equipped to provide assistance and support to any of the fire services within the County, for rescue of persons involved in motor vehicle collisions. They heavy rescue vehicles are situated to provide efficient, effective and timely response to all geographical areas within Lanark County.