Welcome to the LaSalle Fire Service website. Our first responders take great pride in responding to emergencies within our community. We provide protection to over 34,000 residents and almost 12,000 households within the Town of LaSalle.
As a fire service, we know that fire prevention and public education are vital lines of defense in protecting human life and property. Fire safety plans, regular inspections, and fire safety education in our local schools help to keep our community safe and protected from the threat of fire and other hazards.
We are a caring team dedicated to promoting safety, and providing positive outcomes to fellow citizens in a time of need. Our mission is guided by commitment to our core values: Respect, Integrity, Teamwork.
View the progression of this new build! It is expected that the second fire station will be open for use in early 2025.
Three Fire Station Model Approved By Council |
Update: On March 22, 2022, Council approved the Three Fire Station Operating Model and Financial Plan as presented by Ed Thiessen, Director of Fire Services/Fire Chief and Dale Langlois, Director of Finance/Treasurer. This model includes the existing headquarters station on Normandy St., a west
substation at 2160 Front Road (Substation 1), and an east substation on Laurier Parkway in the area of Disputed Road (Substation 2). Read the Council Approves Town of LaSalle Three Fire Station Model News Release on the Town website. At the Regular Council meeting on January 25, 2022, Council approved administration's report outlining a Three Fire Station Model for the Town of LaSalle. View the Three Fire Station News Release and the Three Fire Station Operating Model on the Town website. For full project details visit the Placespeak public engagement website. |
LaSalle Groundbreaking Ceremony for Second Fire Station |
The Town of LaSalle held a groundbreaking ceremony Monday afternoon at the site of the future second fire station, 2160 Front Road. The Three Fire Station Operating Model and Financial Plan was approved by LaSalle Council in March 2022. This model includes the existing headquarters station on Normandy St., a west station at 2160 Front Road, and an east station on Laurier Parkway in the area of Disputed Road.
"Building a second fire station shows our commitment to building a safer LaSalle. Community safety has been and always will be a top priority for both Council and administration," said Mayor Crystal Meloche. There are several factors that have led to the building of this new station. Areas of predicted future growth within the Town in both the short to mid-term and long-term have resulted in the need for greater response capabilities. In addition, a key factor in the recommendation of additional fire stations is the National Fire Protection Association NFPA 1710 guideline which requires that fire apparatus and four firefighters arrive on-scene within four minutes. With a three station model, 87% of the Town’s urban area will be provided initial coverage within four minutes. This is well above the provincial average for municipalities which is in the range of 72% for urban geography. It is also above the 75% coverage target for municipalities. "With the Town’s growth, our needs have evolved, and this new fire hall will provide our firefighters with the modern amenities and advanced equipment necessary to address the challenges of today and tomorrow. It is designed to enhance our response times, reduce risks, and ensure the safety of our firefighters," said Chief Ed Thiessen, Director of Fire Service. "I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to LaSalle Town Council, the Town of LaSalle administrative team, our dedicated firefighters, and, most importantly, to the residents of LaSalle. Your trust and support have brought us to this point, and we look forward to serving you even better in the years ahead." The three fire station model is based on moving towards staffing each location with full-time firefighters. As new fire stations are opened, the target of four full-time firefighters at each location will be achieved over time. The financial plan transitions from two full-time firefighters to four full-time firefighters at each station location over a number of years The third station is scheduled to be built in 2031 and can be adjusted if needed based on future growth in LaSalle. The tender was awarded to Gulf Developments with a bid of $9,000,000. It is expected that the second fire station will be open for use in early 2025. |
The LaSalle Fire Service is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®)—the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week for more than 100 years—to promote this year’s FPW campaign, “Smoke alarms: Make them work for you!” The campaign works to educate everyone about the importance of having working smoke alarms in the home.
According to NFPA, smoke alarms reduce the risk of dying in a home fire by more than half (54 percent). Meanwhile, roughly three out of five fire deaths happen in homes with either no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
“Smoke alarms serve as the first line of defense in a home fire, but they need to be working in order to protect people,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of outreach and advocacy at NFPA. “This year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign helps better educate the public about simple but critical steps they can take to make sure their homes have smoke alarms in all the needed locations and that they’re working properly.”
The LaSalle Fire Service encourages all residents to actively support the 2024 FPW theme, “Smoke alarms: Make them work for you!” “Working smoke alarms can make a life-saving difference in a home fire, giving people the time to get out safely,” said Ed Thiessen, Director of Fire Service/Fire Chief. “This year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign is a great way to remind everyone about these messages and to act on them.”
LaSalle Fire Service offers these key smoke alarm safety tips and guidelines:
Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area (like a hallway), and on each level (including the basement) of the home.
Make sure smoke alarms meet the needs of all family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.
Test smoke alarms at least once a month by pushing the test button.
Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.
The LaSalle Fire Service is organizing a series of initiatives to support this year's Fire Prevention Week (FPW) campaign. These events will include a door-to-door smoke alarm campaign targeting select neighborhoods, as well as fire safety education programs in partnership with local schools.
To learn more about Fire Prevention Week and this year’s theme, “Smoke alarms: Make them work for you,” visit the NFPA Fire Prevention Week web page or NFPA Kids.
For more information about smoke alarms, follow the department on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).
Working smoke alarms give you the precious time you need to escape a fire and the LaSalle Fire Service wants you and your family to be protected. By law, every home in Ontario must have a working smoke alarm on every storey and outside all sleeping areas. Test your smoke alarms once per month by pressing the test button to be sure the alarm is working. Replace batteries or alarms that do not work properly.
This month, when you test your smoke alarms, share a photo with the LaSalle Fire Service for a chance to win.
Here’s how to participate:
The prizes are awesome, so your family will want to join in. Make it a fun family activity and a chance to talk about fire safety. All submissions will be entered into a random draw and the winner will be announced by Monday, September 30, 2024. Remember, only working smoke alarms will alert you in the event of a fire, giving you and your loved ones the time needed to safely escape.
Fire Chief Thiessen is calling on all residents of LaSalle to test their smoke alarms on September 28, 2024, as part of Test Your Smoke Alarm Day. Be prepared to be Saved by the Beep with working smoke alarms – it is your best chance to keep you and your family safe in the event of a fire.
The Town of LaSalle is joining communities across Ontario on September 28 by asking everyone to take a minute to ensure that there are working smoke alarms installed in their home.
“Being prepared to act in the event of a fire can start with simply pressing the test button and having the confidence that working smoke alarms are in your home,” said Fire Chief Thiessen. “Lives can be saved by regularly testing smoke alarms at least once a month, refreshing batteries at least once a year, and replacing smoke alarms older than 10 years.”
In 2022, Ontario lost 133 people to deadly fires – the highest number in over 20 years. Many of these fires were found to have no working smoke alarm and stand as a reminder that only working smoke alarms will alert you to a fire and give you and your loved ones enough time to safely escape.
The Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM), with the support of fire services and fire safety partners across Ontario, is challenging Ontarians to test all smoke alarms in their homes on September 28.
To learn about the smoke alarm campaign, follow LaSalle Fire Service on Facebook andX, formerly Twitter. For more information, visit www.savedbythebeep.ca.
Quick Facts:
Smoke alarms have been legally required to be installed on every storey of a residence in Ontario since 2006.
Residences also include vacation homes, cabins, trailers, RVs, and cottages.
Landlords must test alarms annually, after the battery is replaced, and after every change in tenancy. Renters must notify their landlord as soon as they become aware that a smoke alarm is not operating.
Are you and your family looking for something fun and free to do on the upcoming PA Day, Friday, June 7? Here’s your chance to have a freezie with a firefighter. The LaSalle Fire Service, at 1900 Normandy Street, is opening its doors to the community from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm. Stop in to have a freezie with our firefighters, learn about fire safety, and tour the fire hall.
“Summer is a fun season, but it’s important to ensure you and your family are safe while taking in all that the warm months have to offer. Come on by, have a treat, and let’s talk fire safety,” says Fire Chief Ed Thiessen.
Firefighters will be on hand to talk about summer fire safety, including BBQ safety, home fire escape planning, water and pool safety, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and more.
LaSalle Alerts is a mass notification system that enables us to provide you with critical information in times of emergency such as evacuation of a neighborhood, a boil water advisory, a large fire, or a natural disaster.
To ensure you are in our system and alerted in the event of a Town emergency, we will be testing the LaSalle Alerts mass notification system on Friday, May 31.
Register to receive notifications at www.lasallealerts.ca. You can choose how you would like us to contact you: text, cell phone, email, and/or landline. Please note this system is not used for weather warnings.
For more information visit the LaSalle Alerts page on our website.
Everyone has a role to play in an emergency. Natural disasters may be beyond our control, but there are ways to reduce the risk and the impact of whatever emergency we might face. Emergency Preparedness Week is an opportunity for you to take action to ensure you are prepared to protect yourself, your family, and your community during an emergency. This year, the theme is plan for every season. The theme reflects the unique challenges facing Ontario on a seasonal basis and the opportunities to practice emergency preparedness throughout the year. The intent is to encourage Canadians to understand the risks in their area and learn what actions they can take to protect themselves and their families.
By taking a few simple steps, you can become better prepared to face a range of emergencies – anytime, anywhere. It is important to:
Know the risks – Although the consequences of disasters can be similar, knowing the risks specific to our community and our region can help you better prepare.
Make a plan – It will help you and your family know what to do.
Get an emergency kit– During an emergency, we will all need some basic supplies. We may need to get by without power or tap water. Be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours in an emergency.
"Our goal is to get families talking about and taking action on preparing for an emergency," said Fire Chief Ed Thiessen. "Think about the risks in our area, having an emergency contact list, a family meeting place if you are separated; identification, medications, and other resources to keep you and your family self-sufficient for at least 72-hours.Plan now so you are prepared when an emergency occurs."
Visit www.getprepared.ca for more resources to help you and your family prepare for all types of emergencies.
Spring Fire Safety |
Spring has sprung! LaSalle Fire Service would like to remind LaSalle residents of the spring cleaning checklist to ensure fire safety.
Inside the home:
Outside and around the yard:
In the garage or shed:
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Summer Fire Safety |
It's Barbeque Season!
Backyard Recreational Fires Small outdoor recreational fires are allowed within the Town of LaSalle. Review our Recreational Fire Information below to ensure fire safety and compliance according to by-law. Within the Town of LaSalle, a small outdoor fire such as a campfire, set within a confined area or device such as an outdoor fireplace or fire pit, situated in a “Safe Location” and measuring no greater than one square metre (approx. 3.5 feet) in any dimension is permitted when the subsequent sections of the by-law are followed.
No person shall set or maintain a Recreational Fire or Open Fire under the following conditions:
This is a summary of frequently asked questions and is intended as a reference tool only. All recreational fires set within the Town of LaSalle are subject to all regulations set out in by-law 7170. Please refer to the by-law for complete restrictions, details & penalties. The by-law is available by visiting the Fire Station at 1900 Normandy St. |
Fall Fire Safety |
Outside the Home
Heating your Home
Central Heating
Fireplaces and Woodstoves
Space Heaters
In The Home
Candles
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Winter Fire Safety |
Fire Hydrant Fire Chief Ed Thiessen encourages all LaSalle residents to “Be a Hydrant Hero!” If you have a fire hydrant on or near your property, do your part to keep it accessible this winter. In a fire emergency, every second counts.
Chief Thiessen urges LaSalle residents to stay warm and safe this winter! Heating Safety Tips from Chief Thiessen:
Carbon Monoxide LaSalle firefighters remind you to maintain working smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms in your home. Install smoke alarms on every storey of your home and outside all sleeping areas. CO alarms are required outside all bedrooms. Test your smoke and CO alarms every month and install new batteries when needed. To protect yourself and your family, take a walk around the outside of your home and make sure the intake and exhaust vents for furnaces and heating appliances are free of ice, snow, debris. |