Summerside Fire Department

• Don't start a fire when winds are gusty or a steady 20 km per hour or higher.
• Campfires should be at least 25 ft from any building and 10 ft from any shrubbery, wooden fences, over hanging trees, or combustible material.
• Make sure water containers or a working garden hose and firefighting tools are close by.
• A responsible adult must be present to monitor a fire and douse it if needed.
• Don't burn garbage! It is illegal. You can be charged and fined for burning plastic, rubber, treated wood, asphalt shingles, construction/demolition waste, or household garbage. When burned, these products release toxic chemicals that are dangerous to you and your neighbours.
• Clean, dry firewood or briquettes should be the only fuels used in a backyard fire.
• The size of the fire should not exceed 2 ft by 2 ft by 2 ft.
• Fires may be tended in a ground pit with a non-combustible base, or on open ground of mineral soil, gravel or sand.
• Above-ground fireplaces must be made of non-combustible material (metal, brick, cement, etc.).
• Keep outdoor fireplaces and pits in good repair and in a safe condition at all times with a spark arrestor screen with a ½ inch or less mesh.
• Extinguish a fire immediately if ordered by a City of Summerside Fire Officer.
• A fire should be completely extinguished and soaked to stop re-ignition by 11 pm.
• Think of your neighbours. Be kind. Don't subject them or their homes to dense, wind-blown smoke.

EXCEPTION: Campfires are prohibited by law if the forest fire index for the City of Summerside reaches HIGH or above. Check the fire weather index.

Administration: Fire Chief - Ron Enman · Deputy Fire Chief - Clay Moase · Deputy Fire Chief - Kenny Blanchard · Administrative Assistant - Ken Culleton · Training Officer - Adam Rogers · Safety Officer - Justin Doiron · Chaplain - Cory Somers

Engine 1: Captain - Kent Moase · Lieutenant - Jeff Bernard · Pete Peters · Tony Gallant · Joey McCarthy · Tommy Campbell · Barry Hippenstall · Breton Brown

Engine 2: Captain - Josh Cameron

Ladder Company: Captain - Andrew Peters · Lieutenant - Tyler DesRoches · Elliot Olscamp · Ryan Pinkham · Neil Harris · Shawn Allen · Max Bartlett · Donald MacFadzen-Reid

Engine 4: Captain - Paul Kelly · Lieutenant - Adam Blacquiere · Chris Ross · Jamie Kelly · Chris Richard · Kevin MacArthur · Mark Richard · Kalon Noonan · Scott Warren

Rescue Company: Captain - Danny Richard · Lieutenant - Cliff Gallant · Jason Cameron · Lindsay MacLeod · Ashley Peters · Tyler Jeffery · Jacob McCabe · Scott Watson · Scott Budreau

The City of Summerside continues to invest in the equipment and tools needed to keep our residents safe from fire and medical emergencies:

• Engine 1 is a 2017 Spartan Pumper with a 1250 g pm Hale Pump
• Engine 2 is a 2017 Spartan Pumper with a 1250 g pm Hale Pump
• Engine 3 is a 2021 Spartan Pumper with a 1250 g pm Hale Pump
• Engine 4 is a 2006 Pierce Pumper/Tanker with 2500 gallon capacity and a 1250 Hale Pump
• Ladder Company is a 2002 Smeal Gladiator with a 85-foot aerial ladder and a 2000 g pm Waterous Pump
• Rescue Company is 2007 Emergency Response vehicle equipped with the Jaws of Life (battery operated), airbags, medical equipment, and other rescue tools
• Command Vehicle is a 2020 Ford F-150 4x4
• Kubota Side-by-Side tracked off-road vehicle with trailer and water tank
• 14 ft inflatable Zodiac
• Ice and Water Rescue Craft equipped with rope and ice rescue suits
• Jordair compressed air filling station

Member certifications: Large Medical First Responder Team · High Angle Rescue · Confined Space · Vehicle Extrication · HAZMAT

Antique vehicles: 1930 Chemical Truck, Summerside's first motorized engine · 1931 Ford Ladder Truck with wooden ladders · 1883 Steam Pumper · 1800s Hand Pumper

The City of Summerside maintains 637 Fire Hydrants for the protection of its residents.

During the winter months, it takes a tremendous amount of effort to ensure these fire hydrants remain cleared of snow in case of emergencies. We ask for the patience of our residents in the winter months as we must prioritize this important snow-clearing task.

The Summerside Fire Department was organized in 1863…before Summerside was actually considered a town. In those days, households were primarily heated with fireplaces, and each home had a fire bucket inside.

In the event of a fire emergency, residents would respond by forming a volunteer bucket brigade. This was before the organization of any city council; there were fire wardens and fire assessors in place, who were tasked with assessing the village's ability to fight fires.

In 1879, a devastating fire in the midst of winter ripped through Summerside, causing $30,000 worth of damage, only $6,000 of which was insured. Then, in the early 1880s, another fire destroyed an entire block of buildings on Central Street. The 1883 Steam Pumper still in the Fire Department's possession today was likely acquired as a result of those incidents.

A complete history of the Summerside Fire Department can be found at the MacNaught History Centre.

Our firefighters participate in fire safety education programs within our local schools, as outlined by the National Fire Protection Association. These fire safety programs teach children to talk to their families about creating fire escape plans, as well as fire prevention tips.

We also invite teachers to bring their classes to our stations for guided tours.

For more information about our fire safety education programs, contact our Fire Department: ron.enman@city.summerside.pe.ca. Related: Sparky School House.

Provincial resources: PEI Fire Marshals Office · Fire Permit · PEI Forest Fire Index · Volunteer Firefighter Motor Vehicle Registration and Drivers License · PEI Fire Fighters Association

National resources: Fire Prevention Canada · Canada Safety Council · Canadian Council of Fire Chiefs · Canadian Fire Safety Association · Canadian Volunteer Fire Services Association