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.
The LaSalle Goodfellows will be taking to the streets this year collecting donations from Thursday, November 23 to Saturday, November 25 during the annual Goodfellows Newspaper Drive.
LaSalle Firefighters and community members will be selling the traditional Goodfellows holiday newspaper around Town starting at 6:00 am. Donations of any amount are welcomed. Funds raised through this campaign will be used to purchase annual Christmas meal boxes and food vouchers to support local families in need in Windsor-Essex. Visit the Windsor Goodfellows not-for-profit organization website for program information.
The LaSalle Sparky’s Toy Drive officially kicks off today, November 12, 2023. Firefighters will be collecting new, unwrapped toys for children of all ages, gift cards, and cash donations. Visit the LaSalle Firefighters at Windsor Crossing Premium Outlet Mall, 1555 Talbot Rd. in LaSalle, on Saturday, November 25 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, to make your donation. Donations can also be dropped off at the following locations until Thursday, December 7:
Active Body Physical Therapy – Sprucewood Ave.
Centerline – Morton Dr.
CIBC LaSalle – Malden Rd.
Countryside Home Hardware – Wyoming Ave.
Joe Schmoes – Malden Rd.
LaSalle Fire Service – Normandy St.
Reaume Chevrolet Buick GMC – Front Rd.
Vollmer Recreation Complex – Laurier Pkwy.
Donations will be accepted at the LaSalle Fire Service until Saturday, December 23. All donations are greatly appreciated. We sincerely thank you for your support.
Important Dates:
Registration Open: November 6, 2023, through December 6, 2023.
Distribution Day: Tuesday, December 12, 2023, at the River Dance building, 1 Laurier Drive, LaSalle.
Visit the official Sparky's Toy Drive LaSalle webpage for additional details.
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.
Carbon Monoxide (CO) Awareness Week runs November 1-7 and LaSalle Fire Service is reminding everyone to recognize the health risks and danger CO poses with tips, suggestions, and advice on how to protect your family and stay safe.
Each year, communities across Ontario recognize CO Awareness Week to promote the use of CO alarms and to educate Ontarians about CO including how to prevent exposure, the health hazards of CO poisoning, and what to do in the event of a CO leak.
“Having a working CO alarm in your home is the surest way to know you and your family are protected from exposure and injury from a CO leak,” said Fire Chief Ed Thiessen. “CO is a colourless, odourless, and tasteless gas making it impossible to detect without a working CO alarm.”
By law, in Ontario, CO alarms are required to be installed outside all sleeping areas of homes with a fuel-burning appliance, fireplace, or attached garage.
LaSalle Fire Service reminds everyone that CO exposure can cause headaches, nausea, dizziness, breathlessness, collapse, loss of consciousness, and death. Safety starts with awareness – practice the following and protect yourself and loved ones from carbon monoxide:
Test CO alarms each month and change the batteries at least once a year using Day Light Savings Time changes as a reminder
Have fuel-burning appliances – furnace, gas stove, fireplace – annually inspected by a trained, certified technician to check for a leak at the source
Ensure all chimneys and vents are clean and clear of obstructions
If a CO alarm activates or you suspect someone in your home has symptoms of CO poisoning, immediately go outside and call 9-1-1.
Never use a barbecue, portable fuel-burning camping equipment, or gas-powered generators indoors.
For more information, visit http://www.cosafety.ca
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 Wednesday, November 1. 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.
This year’s Fire Prevention Week™ (FPW™) campaign, “Cooking safety starts with YOU. Pay attention to fire prevention™,” works to educate everyone about simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe when cooking.
What can you do? The good news is you can prevent most cooking fires and burns. Help keep your family safer with some simple but effective tips.
The following are cooking safety tips that support this year’s theme, “Cooking safety starts with YOU! Pay attention to fire prevention”:
Always keep a close eye on what you’re cooking. For foods with longer cooking times, such as those that are simmering or baking, set a timer to help monitor them carefully.
Clear the cooking area of anything that can burn, such as dish towels, oven mitts, food packaging, and paper towels.
Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove. Keep a lid nearby when cooking. If a small grease fire starts, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner.
Create a “kid and pet free zone” of at least three feet (one meter) around the cooking area and anywhere else hot food or drink is prepared or carried.
LaSalle Fire Service will be visiting and sharing fire safety information with grade 7 and 8 students during Fire Prevention Week. Be sure to ask your children what they learned!
In addition, LaSalle Fire Service holds an annual residential smoke alarm canvass during Fire Prevention Week. LaSalle Firefighter’s visit the homes in a pre-selected neighbourhood in LaSalle to provide a courtesy check of smoke alarms and to answer fire safety questions. The homes that will be canvassed are notified ahead of time.
To learn more about Fire Prevention Week and this year’s theme, “Cooking safety starts with YOU! Pay attention to fire prevention,” visit the NFPA Fire Prevention Week web page or NFPA Kids.
Fire Chief Thiessen is calling on all residents of LaSalle to test their smoke alarms on September 28, 2023, 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.”
Last year in Ontario, 133 people lost their lives to deadly fires. This is the highest number in over 20 years. Many of these fires were found to not have working smoke alarms 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.
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 9? 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 Thursday, June 1. 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 Be Prepared. Know Your Risks. The intent of the theme 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.
Visit www.getprepared.ca for more resources to help you and your family prepare for all types of emergencies.
It is almost time to spring forward! Clocks will spring forward one hour at 2:00 AM on March 12 and the LaSalle Fire Service is recommending residents install new batteries in their smoke and carbon monoxide alarms when they change their clocks.
“In order for smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to do their job, they need to have working batteries,” explained Fire Chief Thiessen “Once a year, old batteries should be replaced with new batteries. When you change your clocks on March 12, LaSalle Fire Service wants everyone to take the time to install new batteries in all alarms.”
In order to survive a fire, you need to be provided with an early warning and know what to do when the smoke alarms sound. Working smoke alarms are required on every storey of the home and outside all sleeping areas. For added protection, it is recommended to also install smoke alarms inside all bedrooms.
Carbon monoxide alarms must be installed outside all sleeping areas if your home has a fuel-burning appliance, fireplace or attached garage.
Tampering with or removing the batteries from your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms is against the law. Failure to comply with the Fire Code can result in a ticket for $360 or a fine of up to $50,000.
Only working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms save lives!
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 on the Town website.
For full project details visit the Placespeak public engagement website.
Annual Fire Report |
Year 2021 Year 2022 |
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:
|
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
|
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. |