Toronto Fire Services (TFS), commonly called Toronto Fire, provides fire protection, technical rescue services, hazardous materials response, and first responder emergency medical assistance in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Toronto Fire Services is currently the largest municipal fire department in Canada.

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Quick Facts Agency overview, Established ...

Toronto Fire Services

Agency overview
Established	1874 (as Toronto Fire Department), 1998 (as Toronto Fire Services)
Annual calls	133,081 (2019)[1]
Employees	3,233 (Dec. 31, 2019)[1]
Annual budget	C$495.929 million (2019)
Staffing	Career
Fire chief	Matthew Pegg[2]
EMS level	First Responder
Motto	"Courage, Compassion, Service"
Facilities and equipment
Stations	84
Engines	86
Trucks	6
Quints	26
Squads	5
Tenders	2
HAZMAT	4
Fireboats	2
Website
www.toronto.ca/fire-services

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Fire services in Toronto began in 1874 in the former City of Toronto, and still consisted of volunteer fire companies. Prior to 1874, fire services were composed of poorly trained volunteer companies in the city. The first company was created in 1826 and hook and ladder in 1831. Most were able bodied men who were trained to operate pumps to draw water from the lake. A wooden pumper truck presented to Toronto by British America Assurance Company c.1837 is now found at Black Creek Pioneer Village.^[3]

The city's poor fire fighting services were highlighted by the Great Toronto Fire in 1849 and again in the Great Fire of Toronto in 1904. After the latter fire, which destroyed much of Bay Street from The Esplanade West to Melinda Street, the Fire Department in Toronto became a critical city service and has evolved into the full-time service that exists today.

The Toronto Fire Services was created in 1998 from the merger of the former fire departments of the original City of Toronto, East York, Etobicoke, North York, Scarborough and York. It is the largest fire department in Canada^[4] and the 5th largest municipal fire department in North America.^[4]

As part of the city's 2013 Budget plans, the City of Toronto demanded a 10% cut by all city departments. TFS, under then Fire Chief James Sales, recommended vehicle reductions at several stations (Stations 213, 215, 324 and 413) and one station to close (Station 424) to meet the 10% reduction target.^[5] As well the cuts will lead to fewer firefighters on staff.^[5]

In 2014, four pumpers (P213, P215, P413, P424) were taken out of service and Station 424 was shut down.

In 2017, under Fire Chief Matthew Pegg, the TFS Transformation Plan was developed and introduced, which included a comprehensive Inclusion Plan. An update on the status of the numerous initiatives that are included in this plan was provided as part of the 2018 budget process.^[6]

In 2018, 10 additional staff were added to support the creation of a permanent Toronto Community Housing Fire Safety Task Force.^[7] Also in 2018, one additional crew of 21 Operations Firefighters was approved to support the opening of the new Downsview fire station.^[8][9]

The fire chief (C1), as well as the 4 commanding deputy chiefs,(C2, C3, C4, C5), are all based at 4330 Dufferin Street – the central headquarters for both Toronto Fire and Toronto Paramedic Services. There are four division commanders (C6, C7, C8, C9). Each division commander is based in their respective commands – north, east, south and west.

Alan F. Speed became the first fire chief of the amalgamated Toronto Fire Services in November 1997. He served in that post until his retirement in April 2003.

Following Speed's retirement, William (Bill) Stewart was appointed fire chief on May 1, 2003, and served until his retirement on April 30, 2012.

Jim Sales worked as a political bureaucrat in the Town of Markham and as general manager with the City of Barrie prior to his appointment as Toronto fire chief in 2012.^[13] Sales was fire chief in Markham from 2000 to 2001 and in Edmonton from 1988 to 2000.^[14]

Matthew Pegg was appointed as interim fire chief in May 2016, following Sales' departure.^[15] Pegg became permanent chief in April 2017. Pegg served as deputy fire chief of Administration prior to being appointed fire chief.

The Toronto Fire Services currently operates out of 83 fire stations throughout the city, organized into 15 districts. A 16th district (District 12) was disbanded in 2013. Its 4 stations were absorbed into the surrounding districts. Each district is part of one of four geographical divisions of command. There are 4 command areas: north, east, south and west. With the exception of North Division, the other geographic divisions are divided into four districts. Several companies have been disbanded or reassigned over the years.^[18][19]

• List of historic Toronto fire stations
• Woodbine Building Supply fire

Other members of Toronto's Emergency Services structure include:

• Toronto (CAN-TF3) Heavy Urban Search and Rescue
• Toronto Paramedic Services
• Toronto Police Service