Fire Services

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Champlain Fire Stations

Address: 11 Main Street East, Vankleek Hill
District Chief: Michel Martin

Vankleek Hill Fire Station was renovated in 1998 and over 25 volunteer firefighters are now working there. There are also 3 trucks and an ambulance.

Marcel Huneault Station - L'Orignal

Address: 10 Elgin Street, L'Orignal
District Chief: Richard Sincennes

More than 25 volunteer firefighters work at L'Orignal's Fire Station, which has three fire trucks.

About Champlain Fire Department

The Township of Champlain Fire Department is comprised of over 50 volunteer firefighters, located in two fire halls, and provides protective services in the four wards of its territory: West Hawkesbury, Longueuil, Vankleek Hill and L'Orignal. These fire halls provide protection to 8665 residents (2021) in an area of over 207 km².

Mission, Vision and Values

The mission of the Champlain Fire and Emergency Department is to prevent serious fire hazards and immediate threats caused by fire through appropriate measures, and to enforce the Fire Code under the authority and in accordance with the provisions set out in the Fire Prevention and Protection Act.

The Director of Fire Services shall use preventive and control measures to extinguish fires; ensure the safety of the community's lives and property; and exercise all rights under the Fire Prevention and Protection Act.

General Fire Safety Tips

Smoke Alarms

Install smoke alarms on each floor of your home and outside sleeping areas.
If possible, mount smoke alarms on the ceiling in the centre of the room.
Test smoke alarms monthly and ensure batteries are always operational, replace batteries annually as needed.
Clean the smoke alarm as needed to prevent dust buildup that could interfere with its effectiveness.
Replace smoke alarms at least every ten years.

Cooking Safety

Keep your kitchen clutter free.
Always be attentive, stay in the kitchen when cooking at high temperatures.
Supervise children closely, do not leave them unattended while cooking.
Never put water on a grease fire.

Lithium Batteries

Lithium batteries are the most common rechargeable batteries, unlike the standard AA or AAA batteries which are generally single use. Lithium batteries are found in many everyday items such as cordless vacuums, laptops, cellphones and more.

Use the designated battery for your device.
Only use the charging cord that came with your device.
Avoid leaving your device on a charger when it is already fully charged.
Do not charge devices like cell phones on couches, under pillows, on your bed etc.
Keep batteries at room temperature. Lithium batteries can malfunction if they become too hot or too cold.
Store batteries away from flammable materials.

Fire Prevention - Inspection

Inspections are conducted to ensure that minimum safety standards as per the Ontario Building Code and the Ontario Fire Code are met for all buildings in our area. Inspections are also conducted on a regular basis for occupancies that require special permits, such as tents and outdoor activities.

Inspections ensure that all buildings in our region meet the Ontario Fire Code. The Code requires that all new buildings be built and existing buildings maintained in accordance with fire safety standards.

Inspections are required under the Code for the following:

attorney letters for property sales;
Licensing of public garages
Licensing of liquor sales
Issuance of permits for public halls
Issuance of demolition permits;
Development of fire safety plans; and
Fire route planning.

Inspections may be conducted :

as a result of a complaint from the public
as a result of a complaint by a firefighter; or
at the owner's request.
On a random inspection schedule

To schedule an inspection, please contact Ghislain Pigeon, Director of Fire Services.

Inspection Fees
Type of Inspection	Fees
Letter issue by the Fire Chief (file search, inspection report, etc.) - 2 hours	$133
Additional hours of work for the inspection	$75/hour
Inspection of multi-residential, commercial or industrial buildings	$60/hour

Water Tank Shuttle Accreditation

Residential properties located within 8 km of one of the Champlain fire halls may be eligible for residential insurance discounts. Commercial properties located within 5 km may also be eligible, unless the insurance company decides otherwise.

Discounts are not auto-determined and vary from one insurance provider to another. Contact your insurance carrier to find out what the documentation requirements are.

For a copy of the accreditation, please contact the Director of Fire Services.

Become a Volunteer Firefighter

What is a volunteer firefighter?

Volunteer firefighters are an important asset of Champlain Township. They work in our two fire halls and respond to emergency calls. It is a challenging and demanding job. It requires a willingness to attend numerous training sessions and to devote time and energy to respond to emergencies. Being a volunteer firefighter is a very rewarding experience, as you contribute to the safety of the whole community.

Make a difference, save lives and get:

A skill set that you will carry with you for life;
Personal growth, training and development;
A team spirit and lasting friendships;
A tremendous sense of accomplishment and pride.

Volunteer firefighters perform firefighting and emergency response duties under the general supervision of the Captains and Director of Fire Services. Mandatory training, drills and other optional training are an integral part of the position.

Types of emergencies where volunteer firefighters may respond:

Fires
Vehicle accidents
Structural or vehicle fires
Medical assistance
Water rescue
Hazardous materials or carbon monoxide events
Community Assistance
Outdoor fires (grass, brush...)
Transportation incidents involving vehicles, trains, aircraft and boats

Requirements to be a volunteer firefighter

Must be 18 years of age or older and bilingual
Must be a resident of Champlain
High school diploma or its equivalent
Valid Ontario Class G driver's license with a good driving record
Pass the physical fitness test related to the physical requirements of the position
Excellent communication skills, strong interpersonal skills and the able to stay calm during a crisis

Recruitment

The Champlain Township Fire Department usually hires several volunteer firefighters once a year to fill out its teams. Subscribe to the Employment page on the Champlain website or to our social medias to be notified when the pool of volunteer firefighters is open.

The recruitment process includes several steps: interviews, physical abilities tests, health and medical tests and documents required.

False Alarms

When an alarm system is activated, users must ensure that it is not a false alarm before contacting the Police Department to request the police assistance. A 9-1-1 call from an alarm company following a false alarm constitutes a costly service, with or without a police response.

When a fire alarm system is activated for no obvious reason (example: lever was not pulled, no smoke or flames, etc.), this is considered a False Alarm. When this occurs, property owners/individuals responsible for the alarm system will be notified and requested to identify and fix the issue. If this problem occurs more than two times within a period of 12 months, those responsible for the alarm will be fined $800 for each additional call.

False Alarms Fees
Service	Fees
First and second alarms within 12 months^[1]	Free
Third and each additional alarm within 12 months^[1]	$800

[1] The 12-month period begins on the day the first alarm is activated.

Open-Air Fire Permit

Prior to burning any material on any property, an application must be filed by the landowner before a fire permit is issued. Certain criteria must be met before obtaining permission to burn. The Township application contains pertinent information that will assist the applicant in burning the material safely.

More information about Open-Air Fire Permit