Fire and Emergency Services

The Bluewater Fire Department consists of four stations located in Bayfield, Brucefield, Hensall and Zurich.

The goal of the Bluewater Fire Department is to provide fire protection services through a range of programs designated to protect the lives and property of the inhabitants from the adverse effects of fires, exposure to dangerous conditions created by man or nature, first to the municipality, second to those municipalities requiring assistance through authorized emergency fire service plans and agreements and third to those municipalities requiring assistance through authorized mutual fire aid plan and program activities.

Fire protection

Fire protection includes fire suppression, fire prevention, fire safety education, communication, training of persons involved in the provisions of fire protection, rescue and emergency services and the delivery of those services. The Municipality of Bluewater develops and maintains good working relationships with various government agencies and departments to ensure that in the event of a major incident, assistance to cope with the situation is provided.

Non-fire emergency services

In addition to fire protection, the Bluewater Fire Department performs services related to rescues from motor vehicle accidents and industrial accidents, emergencies involving hazardous materials to an awareness level, search and rescue, and any other emergencies deemed necessary by the Fire Chief, Deputy Chief or designated Officer.

Changes to fire dispatch services

Our fire dispatching services were switched to the Owen Sound Emergency Communication Centre in October 2022. If your home or business is within the Bluewater fire coverage area and is monitored by an alarm company and you have not already notified them of the change, please notify them and have them contact the Municipal office at 519-236-4351 ext. 229 to be provided with an Emergency Contact number. 

If you are unsure which fire department responds to your property, please call us and we will be happy to assist.

For all emergencies please continue to use 911.

Fire station sirens

Our fire stations make use of a station sirens to notify volunteer firefighters to respond to an emergency call. These station sirens also serve to let our communities know that firefighters are on route to the station and that drivers should be vigilant for responding fire vehicles. Volunteer firefighters also use flashing green lights in their vehicles to let other drivers on the road know that they are responding to a call. If you see a flashing green light, please pull safely to the side of the road to allow our firefighters to pass. It could save life and property.

Station sirens are currently in use at the Bayfield and Brucefield fire stations. The sirens are tested on Tuesdays around 6 p.m. If you hear the siren any other time, it is an emergency. Station sirens should only sound between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Fire truck sirens will sound as needed when responding to emergencies.