Fire and Emergency Services

The Casselman Fire Department includes the Fire Chief, 26 volunteer firefighters and five fire trucks.

Firefighters respond to fire incidents and also act as first responders during situations such as traffic accidents and medical emergencies. If you see a motor vehicle travelling with a flashing green light, it’s a volunteer firefighter responding to an emergency call. Allow him to pass by pulling over to the right.

To contact the Fire Department, call 613-764-3139, extension 280.

In Ontario, the law requires homes to have working smoke alarms on every storey and outside all sleeping areas. A Working Smoke Alarm: It’s the Law!

Protect your family and regularly test all smoke alarms and batteries in your home.

You may receive a fine if you do not comply with the law.

In Ontario, it is mandatory by law to install a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm in any residential building containing at least one fuel-burning appliance, an open fireplace or an attached garage.

Fuel-burning devices include those using natural gas, propane, heating oil, kerosene, coal, charcoal, gasoline, wood or other bio-fuels, such as:

• Home furnace
• Space heater
• Decorative fireplace
• Wood stove
• Kitchen stove or grill
• Gas or charcoal barbecue
• Hot water heater
• Automobile
• Lawnmower

CO is a gas produced by the incomplete combustion of fuel. It has adverse health effects and may cause fatal intoxications.

A carbon monoxide alarm is vital, since CO has no:

• Smell
• Color
• Taste

Exposure to carbon monoxide poisoning can cause flu-like symptoms, but without fever.

• Headache
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Burning eyes
• Confusion
• Drowsiness
• Loss of consciousness

CO can poison the body quickly in high concentrations, or slowly over long periods of time. The elderly, children and people with heart or respiratory conditions may be particularly sensitive to CO.

If your home is equipped with a fuel-burning device and you are feeling the symptoms, go outdoors and call emergency services.

Protect your family and install a carbon monoxide alarm. You may receive a fine if you do not comply with the law.

For more information visit:

• Health Canada - Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning
• Ontario Ministry of Community Safety - Carbon monoxide alarms

Follow advice from the Ontario Fire Marshall Office.

• Install a smoke alarm in your bedroom if you sleep with the door closed.
• Never remove the batteries from smoke alarms. If nuisance alarms are a problem, try moving the alarm to another location or purchase an alarm with a hush feature that temporarily silences the alarm.
• Test smoke alarms once a month and replace the batteries every year.
• Replace smoke alarms every 10 years.
• Make sure everyone in the household knows what to do if the smoke alarm sounds.
• Develop a home fire escape plan and practice it with the entire household.

Visit the Ontario Ministry of Community Safety to learn how to prepare your emergency and evacuation plan.

In Casselman, a municipal bylaw regulates open-air fires and the use of outdoor fireplaces and cooking devices such as barbecues.

The following information is a summary of the bylaw. For precise wording and all provisions, please refer to the officialBylaw 2016-077 (PDF).

Outdoor Fireplaces

The use of outdoor fireplaces is permitted in these conditions:

• The fireplace must be CSA approved and in good condition.
• The fireplace must be located at least 3 metres (9’ 10”) from any structure and property lines.
• The fireplace must be located on a non-combustible surface.
• Wood burning fireplaces must be entirely covered with wire mesh with grid openings no larger than ½ inch.

Outdoor fireplaces may not be used when weather conditions cause smoke to bother the neighbours.

Barbecues

• Barbecues may not be used on a balcony 8 feet above ground level.
• Barbecues must be located at least 3 metres (9’ 10”) from any structure and property lines.

Open fires and campfires

Open fires are not allowed in the Village of Casselman. Fires that are not contained within a purpose-built outdoor fireplace are considered open fires, for example:

• Campfires
• Burning of grass, branches or garbage

Exemption for special events

Community organizations may set campfires during special events if they apply for and receive an Open air fire permit.

The Ontario Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act requires municipalities to develop and implement an emergency management program.

In Casselman, the Community Emergency Management Coordinator (EMC) oversees the development and implementation of the municipal emergency management program. The EMC also ensures the program alignment with those of neighbouring municipalities, provincial ministries and other nongovernmental organizations involved in emergency management.

A municipal committee made up of the EMC and department representatives is responsible for the:

• Identification of hazards to the community and risk assessment.
• Identification of critical infrastructure for the proper functioning of the municipality.
• Preparation of an emergency plan and its approval from Emergency Management Ontario.
• Identification of an Emergency Operations Center.
• Creation of a community emergency services inventory, assessment of their capacity to respond to an emergency and determination of needs for additional resources.
• Provision of annual training for members of the community control group and support staff.
• Coordination of an annual practical exercise to evaluate the emergency plan.
• Development of an awareness campaign concerning emergency situations within the community.
• Provision of expertise and administrative support during an emergency.
• Annual update and review of the plan.

View or download a copy of the Casselman Emergency Plan (PDF).
The last revision of the plan was published in 2022. 

Prepare Your Emergency Plan

By definition, emergencies happen when we don't expect them. As a citizen, you have a key role to play in keeping your family safe should an emergency occur.

Take the time to discuss emergencies with your family. Assess the risks and be prepared. If a disaster happens in the community, it may take emergency workers some time to reach you. Are you prepared to take care of yourself and your family during the first 72 hours?

Having a family emergency plan will save time and make real situations less stressful.

For more information, visit
Get Prepared - Your Emergency Plan.

Ambulance
The United Counties of Prescott-Russell are responsible for emergency medical services in Casselman. For more information, visit Prescott-Russell Emergency Services.
Telephone for non-urgent situations: 613-673-5139

Casselman Medical Clinic
The clinic is located at 629 Principale in Casselman. The telephone number is 613-764-5440.

Office of the Fire Marshall
For information on fire prevention and emergency management visit the Ontario Fire Marshall.

Ontario Poison Centre
For information and advice about poisoning, household products hazards and prevention, call 1-800-268-9017 or visit Poison Centre.

Ontario Provincial Police (OPP)
The OPP is responsible for police services in Casselman. Telephone for non-emergency situations: 1-888-310-1122.

Public Safety Canada - How to Make an Emergency Plan

Community Safety and Well-being Plan