Fire Prevention

The Fire Prevention Division is made up of a Chief Fire Prevention Officer and 4 Urban Fire Prevention Officers.

The division is responsible for:

• Fire code inspections and by-law enforcement;
• Public education and awareness programs;
• Pre-emergency planning; and
• Fire cause and origin investigations.

Fire Prevention Officers are proud to deliver fun and engaging public education programs that give residents of all ages the tools they need to stay fire safe in their homes and communities.

Station Tours

Come explore a real fire station! Enjoy a guided tour where Fire Prevention Officers and Firefighters show you fire trucks, equipment and protective gear.

• Available at all fire stations (Station 1 has a fire history museum and is the biggest and most popular)
• Book at least 30 days in advance
• Ages 4 and up welcome
• Maximum 30 children per group
• 1 adult required for every 4 children
• Tours last about 45–60 minutes

Truck Visits

Firefighters and Fire Prevention Officers attend community locations to provide hands-on demonstrations of fire apparatus and equipment.

Includes:

• Equipment demonstrations
• Interactive Q&A sessions
• Fire safety education

Available for schools, community groups, and public events (subject to operational availability).

School Visits

Fire Prevention Officers deliver age-appropriate fire safety education in classrooms, including:

• Fire prevention tips
• Emergency preparedness
• Demonstrations of protective equipment
• Fire truck demonstrations where available

Fire Prevention Officers conduct inspections across a range of properties and occupancies. Some popular examples are included below.

Daycares

Home Daycares (Typically up to 5 Children)

A full fire safety inspection of the residence is strongly recommended. Fire Prevention Officers check for:

• proper smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
• clear exits
• fire extinguishers
• safe storage of flammable materials
• emergency evacuation plans

Licensed Daycare Centres

These facilities are subject to stricter requirements under the Ministry of Education (Child Care and Early Years Act). Annual or periodic fire inspections are usually required as part of the licensing and renewal process. Inspections focus on:

• alarms
• sprinklers
• exits
• lighting
• signage
• fire safety plans

Fire inspections are required for new businesses, liquor licences, pyrotechnics and fireworks sales/permits.   

Open-air burning requires a permit but only agricultural burns require an inspection.

Fire Prevention Officers respond to referrals from partner agencies, including:

• Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA)
• Electrical Safety Authority (ESA)
• Animal Control
• By-law Services
• Building Department
• Police
• Paramedic services

Fire Prevention Officers investigate the origin and cause of fires using a structured and evidence-based approach.

Investigations may include:

• Scene examination and documentation
• Interviews with witnesses and occupants
• Analysis of fire patterns and physical evidence
• Review of electrical, mechanical, and fuel systems

The findings help determine whether a fire was accidental, natural, incendiary (arson) or undetermined. Results support enforcement actions, assist police and insurance investigations when required, identify trends in fire causes and provide valuable data to improve public education and prevention programs across the community.

In more serious cases, such as fires involving fatalities, serious injuries, large losses, or suspected arson, the Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM) may respond to Belleville and lead the investigation. OFM investigators work closely with local fire departments and police and have additional provincial authority and resources.

Belleville Fire & Emergency Services provides comprehensive property file searches for individuals purchasing or refinancing a property, or an owner just looking for a history of their property. Depending on the request, a Fire Prevention Officer will review all files relating to the property, including:

• Outstanding fire code orders
• Ongoing fire code violations or compliance issues
• Fire investigations linked to the property
• Incident reports involving the property

Note: Some detailed records (such as specific notes, correspondence, or full investigation reports) may require a Freedom of Information (FOI) request through the City of Belleville.

Incident reports provide a summary of fire or emergency responses, including:

• Date and type of incident
• Actions taken by fire crews
• Basic response details

Some detailed records may require a Freedom of Information (FOI) request through the City of Belleville.

Written authorization from the property owner is required for most requests. Contact Fire Prevention for fees and processing timelines.