Kingston Fire and Rescue Services (Ontario)

Area Served

Kingston is a city of 133,000 people located on the north shore of Lake Ontario, roughly midway between Toronto and Montréal. The city expanded significantly when it was amalgamated with Kingston and Pittsburgh Townships in 1998 and now covers an area of 450.39 km².

Fort Cataraqui was established on the mouth of the Cataraqui River in 1673, although archaeological evidence suggests that aboriginal settlement dates back much earlier than that. Settlement began in earnest when the Loyalists moved north after the American Revolution, and Kingston became an important military outpost and settlement. Fort Henry was built to defend the area in the 1840s, and Kingston served as the capital of the united Canadas from 1841 to 1844.

Kingston is an important regional service centre, and is home to Queen's University, a large hospital, several correctional facilities, the Royal Military College of Canada and a military base (Canadian Forces Base Kingston). Novelis (formerly ALCAN) and Invista (formerly DuPont) operate manufacturing facilities in the area. Highway 401 and two major rail lines pass through the city.

History

Fire protection in the City of Kingston has an extensive history beginning as far back as 1683. The original settlement of Fort Frontenac had a group of citizens organized in a bucket brigade. Historical sources indicate that a long piece of metal was suspended from a large oak tree and struck when a fire was discovered in either building or bush land. When control of Kingston was passed to the British, the use of citizens for fire protection was discontinued. Volunteer Fire Companies were eventually organized, and in 1878 the practice of using competing fire companies was finally dropped with the reorganization of the fire companies into one entity, the “Alert Volunteer Fire Company”.

Kingston’s first career fire department was established in 1892. The City’s first fire hall, designed to house steam powered pumpers, was built in 1873 and was located on Ontario Street. It was closed in 1962 and replaced by the Fire Hall at 262 Palace Road. In 1891 the City of Kingston secured a second fire hall by converting a former Wesley Church on Brock Street. This station was used until 1966 when a Fire Hall at 271 Brock Street was constructed. A third fire hall was added at 171 Railway Street and was opened in 1974.

In 1998, Kingston was amalgamated with the Township of Kingston and the Township of Pittsburgh, merging the city department with the Kingston Township Fire Department and the Pittsburgh Township Fire Department. The department did not immediately amalgamate and continued to operate as three separate and distinct organizations. In 2002 the three former fire departments of amalgamated municipality were integrated as one composite fire service as Kingston Fire and Rescue under the direction of Fire Chief Harold Tulk.

Fire Stations

Station	Address	In Service	Notes
Lower Station	251 Ontario Street	1873-1962	Now a restaurant.
Upper Station	293 Brock Street	1891-1966	Demolished.
	2117 Unity Road, Elginburg.	1997-present	Former Kingston Township Station 2, now used for storage by FD and PD.

Department Profile

Kingston Fire & Rescue services is a composite force of 235 employees / volunteers responsible for Rescue, Inspection, Public Fire Education and Suppression for the City of Kingston. Kingston Fire & Rescue has a total of ten (10) fire halls within the City's 180 square mile radius responsive to Lake Ontario, Collins Bay, Rideau Canal, Cataraqui River, Cranberry Lake, Leo Lake, Bateau Channel (north side), Canadian Forces Base Kingston, Fort Henry, the Royal Military College, St. Lawrence College, Queen's University, hospitals, government and high rise buildings, shopping malls, industrial parks, six (6) Correctional Facilities, nine (9) large boat marinas.

Career firefighters operate from Stations 4, 5, 6, 7, and 10, with part-time/volunteer firefighters in Stations 1, 2, 3, 8 and 9.

Station Photos

Station 1

Station 2

Station 3

Station 4

Station 5

Station 6

Station 7

Station 8

Station 9

Station 10

Apparatus Roster

• All pump/tank measurements are in Imperial gallons.
• Shop numbers in brackets after unit assignment.

Headquarters - 500 O'Connor Drive

• Fire Prevention 2H1 (1402) 2014 Ram 2500 Promaster
• Training Officer - 2023 Ford F-150
• Training Officer - 2018 Ford F-150
• Training Officer - 2023 Ford F-150
• Prevention (2101) - 2021 Kia Soul EV
• Prevention (2102) - 2021 Kia Soul EV
• Prevention - 2013 Ford Escape
• Prevention - GMC Terrain
• Prevention (1108) - 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe (Ex-C241)
• Emergency Management - 2013 Ford Escape
• Unit 2H1 - 2013 Chevrolet Express 12-15 Pass EXT
• Unit 2H2 - 2013 Chevrolet Express (Ex-U211)
• Car 2H1 - 2021 Ford F-150
• Car 2H2 - 2018 Ford F-150

Training Centre / Mechanical Division - 3 Terry Fox Drive

• Training Pumper 209 (0574) - 2006 HME 1871 P2 / Rosenbauer (1250/525/50F) (SN#1359206) (2014 Eastway refurb) (Ex-P251)
• Mechanical 271 - 2008 International / Wilcox w/ 5 ton Auto Crane
• Mechanical 272 - 2011 Chevrolet Silverado (Ex-Utility 211)
• 2009 John Deere Gator
• Parade - 1924 Ahrens-Fox N-S-2 / Bickle pumper (AF SN#1608)

District 1

• Command 231 - 2017 Ford F-150

Fire Station 1 - 1648 Joyceville Road

Built 1956

• Pump 211 (1702) - 2016 Rosenbauer Commander R6011 CrossFire (1250/625/25A) (SN#14082) (Ex-demo) (Ex-P241)
• Tanker 211 (0673) - 2006 International 7400 / Seagrave (500/2500) (SN#J213316)
• Wildland 211 - 2011 Chevrolet Silverado (port./100)
• UTV 211- 2009 John Deere Gator
• Utility 211 -
• Parade Pumper 211 - 1956 Dodge R / LaFrance (500/500) (SN#B-2159) (Ex-Pittsburgh Township Fire Department)

Fire Station 2 - 3505 Brewers Mills Road

Built 1984

• Pump 221 - (1306) 2013 Spartan Metro Star / Arnprior (1850/500/50F) (Ex-P261)
• Tanker 221 - 1998 International 4900 / Almonte (PTO/2500)

Fire Station 3 - 211 Gore Road

Built 1988

• Pump 231 (0608) - 2006 HME 1871 P2 / Rosenbauer (1250/525/50F) (SN#1359406)
• Aerial 231 (1401) - 2014 Spartan Metro Star MFD / Smeal (1750/250/75' rear-mount ladder) (SO#4257)
• Tanker 231 - 2022 Kenworth T440 tandem/ Rosenbauer (?/2500)
• Utility 231 (Crew Transport) - 2013 Chevrolet Express
• Rescue 231 (9845) - 1998 International 4900 / Superior (SN#SE 1816) (Ex-Pittsburgh Township Fire Department)(Ex-Rescue 271)

District 2

Fire Station 4 - 271 Brock Street

Built 1966

• Pump 241 (1901) - 2019 Spartan ER Metro Star MFD 10" RR (1500/500/40F/FP2001) (SN#218062-02)
• Ladder 241 (1703) - 2016 Rosenbauer Commander 4000 R6000 6x4 (1665/420/101' Cobra rear-mount platform) (SN#7427)
• Blocker 241 (9843) - 1998 HME Penetrator / Almonte (1500/500) (2015 Arnprior refurb)
• TE241 - 2024 Spartan ER Metro Star EMFD 20" RR 18' walk-around rescue (SO#222149)
• Squad 241 - 2019 Ford F-550 / Rosenbauer walk-around rescue (water rescue)
• Platoon Chief 241 - 202? Ford Expedition
• Utility 241 (0364) - 2003 Ford F-250 (Ex-Brush 211)
• Pump 242 (0901) - 2009 KME Predator (1250/500/50F) (Ex-P271)

Fire Station 5 - 171 Railway Street

Built 1974

• Pump 251 (1803) - 2018 Spartan ER Metro Star MFD (1250/500/25F) (SN#217054-02)
• Pump 252 (0258) - 2002 HME 1871 P2 / Almonte (1050/500/40F) (SN#83114) (2014 Arnprior refurb) (ex-P262)

Fire Station 6 - 262 Palace Road

Built 1962

• Pump 261 (1802) - 2018 Spartan ER Metro Star MFD (1250/500/25F) (SN#217054-01)

Fire Sub-Station 6 - 53 Yonge Street (Olympic Harbour Park)

• Marine 241 - 2017 / 2019 MetalCraft Marine FireStorm 40 (1250x2/-)

District 3

• Command 281 - 2017 Ford F-150

Fire Station 7 - 905 Woodbine Road

Built 1980/1988

• Ladder 261 (0153) - 2001 Spartan Gladiator FF MFD / Smeal (1750/?/100' rear-mount platform) (SN#108101) (2015 Smeal refurb) (Ex-L241)
• Pump 271 (1902) - 2019 Spartan ER Metro Star MFD (1500/500/40F/FP2001) (SN#218062-01)
• Aerial 271 (9215) - 1992 Pemfab Imperial T964 / Almonte (1050/55' CET boom) (Ex-A201)
• Roll Off 271 - 2008 International DuraStar / Kwik Load Products pod truck (Hazmat / Trench Rescue)
• Utility 271 - 2011 Ford E-Series
• Pump 272 (0903) - 2009 KME Predator (1250/500/50F)
• Utility 273 - 2013 Chevrolet Express 12-15 Pass EXT (Ex-U2H2)
• Pump 282 (0621) - 2006 HME 1871 P2 / Rosenbauer (1250/525/50F) (Ex-P241)
• Emergency Management generator trailer

District 4

Fire Station 8 - 1485 Unity Road, Glenburnie

Built 1997

• Pump 281 (0610) - 2006 HME 1871 P2 / Rosenbauer (1250/525/50F)
• Tanker 281 (1505) - 2015 Kenworth T440 tandem / Rosenbauer (840/2500)
• Wildland 281 (0761) - 2007 Ford F-350 (port./100)
• UTV 281 - 2009 John Deere Gator
• (1801) - 2018 Ford F-150 XLT (ON#AZ 37973)

Fire Station 9 - 2835 County Road 38, Elginburg

Built 1996

• Pump 291 - 2013 Spartan Metro Star / Arnprior (1750/500/50F)
• Tanker 291 (0672) - 2006 International 7400 / Seagrave (500/2500)
• Tanker 292 - 2022 Kenworth T440 tandem / Rosenbauer (?/2500)(Ex-T271)
• Utility 291 (0843) - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado (Ex-Utility 281)

Fire Station 10 - 127 Days Road

Built 1954

• Pump 201 (0902) - 2009 KME Predator (1250/500/50F) (Ex-P273)

Storage Station - 2117 Unity Road

Built 195?

Assignment Unknown

• 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe (Ex-Platoon Chief 241)

On Order

• The City of Kingston awarded a tender for a new Spartan ER Metro Star MFD 10" RR pumper (1750/500/40F/FP2002) to Safetek Group in November 2023.
• The City of Kingston awarded a tender for a new Rosenbauer aerial to City View Emergency Vehicles in January 2024.
• The City of Kingston awarded a tender for a new Spartan ER Metro Star MFD 10" RR pumper (1750/500/40F/FP2002) to Safetek Group in November 2024.

Retired Apparatus

• 2015 Ford F-150 (Ex-Training Officer) (Transferred to Public Works Department)
• 1202 - 2012 Ford F-150 XLT SuperCrew w/ Action canopy (Ex-Training, ex-Utility 211, ex-C281) (Sold on GovDeals, April 2025)
• 2012 Ford F-150 (Ex-Training Officer) (Transferred to Public Works Department)
• 2011 Chevrolet Silverado unmarked (Transferred to Public Works Department)
• 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe unmarked
• 2010 Ford Escape
• 2010 Ford Escape
• 2009 Chrysler sedan
• 2009 Ford Fusion
• 2009 Ford F-150
• 2006 MetalCraft Marine 32' fire boat (formerly Canadian Coast Guard vessel CCGS Bittern)
• 2006 Ford E-series van (Ex-U271)
• (0351) - 2003 Ford F-150 (Ex- U291)
• (0029) - 2000 Ford E-series van (Ex-U11)
• (9801) - 1998 International 4900 / Superior pumper (1050/1000) (SN#SE 1815) (Ex-Pittsburgh Township Fire Department) (Ex-P221) (Sold December 2019 GovDeals)
• (9804) - 1998 International 4900 tandem / Almonte tanker (420/2500) (Ex-T231) (Sold March 26, 2023 GovDeals) (For sale April 2023 $149,900.00 Fenton Fire)
• (9509) - 1995 E-One Cyclone TC / Superior pumper (1050/1000) (Superior SN#SE 1427 / E-One SN#14273) (Ex-P211) (Ex-Pittsburgh Township Fire Department 1995-1998)
• (9436) - 1995 Pemfab Imperial / 2010 Seagrave walk-in rescue (second configuration) (Ex-Tech 241) (Donated July 15, 2024 to Firefighters Without Borders Canada) (Donated July 17, 2024 to National Indigenous Fire Safety Council; to be based on Tyendinaga First Nation- to be used as training and outreach vehicle)
• (9436) - 1995 Pemfab Imperial / Almonte (250/200/rescue) (2010 Seagrave walk in body added to chassis)
• (9426) - 1994 Pemfab Imperial T964 / Almonte walk in rescue / command (Ex-S271, ex-R231) (Ex-Kingston Township Fire Department 1994-2002) (Sold to Loomex Group Peterborough ONT) (Sold July 25 2023 GovDeals)
• 1992 Chevrolet pick-up (Ex-Unit 212)
• (9349) - 1993 Ford LTS-9000 tandem / 1996 Almonte tanker (1050/3000) (Ex-T281) (Ex-T271) (Rollover MVA 2011; Eastway remount on 1993 Ford Aeromax LN-9000 chassis) (Ex-Kingston Township Fire Department]]) (Loaned briefly to Wolfe Island Fire Department and designated Tanker 122) (Sold April 15, 2024 GovDeals)
• (9135) - 1991 Pemfab Imperial / 1992 Almonte pumper (1050/400) (Ex-P262, ex-P202, ex-P282,)
• (9034) - 1990 Duplex Olympian tandem / Phoenix (1050/300/100' LTI rear-mount platform) (SN#90-01-882-260) (LTI SN#9002221) (Ex-L261; ex-L241; ex-Truck 4) (Traded to Resqtech Woodstock ONT)
• (9046) - 1990 Pemfab T944A / Almonte / 1975 King pumper (1050/300/50' Tele-Squrt) (Ex-P252, ex-P243)
• (8925) - 1990 Mack CF688FC / Almonte pumper (1050/600) (Mack VIN#CF688FC-1586) (Ex-P271, ex-P291, ex TP209)
• (8943) - 1989 Pemfab T944A / Almonte / 1978 King pumper (840/300/50' Tele-Squrt) (Ex-P274)
• 1989 Pierce Lance MFD / Superior pumper (1050/300/25F/54' Tele-Squrt) (SN#E-5464; SE 993) (Ex-A241, ex-P232, ex-A271, ex-Truck 1) (Sold for scrap metal)
• 1988 Chevrolet / PK Welding step van rescue (Ex-FP201)
• 1987 Ford LN-8000 / Almonte tanker (250/1200/40F) (Ex-T271, ex-B241; ex-Tanker 8) (Sold December 5, 2022 $14,000.00 Ritchie Brothers Auction Toronto ONT)
• 1987 International CO1950B / Thibault pumper (1050/500/55' Thibault Telescop) (SN#T87-160) (Ex-TA209) (Ex-Pittsburgh Township Fire Department 1987-1998) (Sold for scrap metal)
• 1985 International CO1950B / Thibault pumper (840/500) (Ex-P243, ex-P231) (Ex-Pittsburgh Township Fire Department 1985-1998) (Sold for scrap metal)
• 1983 International / Pierreville pumper (1050/300) (SN#PFT-1294) (Donated To Belarus)
• Thomas H. Patterson - 1982 Canadian Dredge and Dock Company
• 1980 Grumman Kurbmaster step van rescue (Ex-Rescue 9) (Sold to Rear of Leeds and Lansdowne Township Fire Department)
• 1979 Scot C1FD / King pumper (1050/500) (SN#79006) (Ex-P272)
• 1979 Scot C1FD / King pumper (1050/250/75' Tele-Squrt) (SN#79007) (Ex-TA209)
• 1978 International CO1950B / King pumper (1050/50' Tele-Squrt) (SN#77014) (Remounted on 1989 Pemfab T944A chassis by Almonte)
• 1978 Ford L-8000 / Almonte tanker (450/1500)
• 1977 Ford C-900 / Thibault pumper (840/800) (SN#T76-204) (Cancelled Thibault order purchased by Pittsburgh Township) (Ex-Pittsburgh Township 1977-1998) (Leased to Howe Island Fire Rescue until 2016)
• 1975 Ford / King pumper (840/50' Telesqurt) (SN#74038) (Remounted on 1990 Pemfab)
• 1975 Ford L-9000 / King pumper (1050/500) (SN#74071) (Ex-P281) (Donated to Belarus February 2009)
• 1975 Ford L-9000 / King pumper (1050/500) (SN#74072) (Donated to Belarus February 2009)
• 1973 Thibault Custom 1000 pumper (1050/300) (SN#T73-122) (Sold to Wolfe Island Fire Department)
• 1972 Ford C-900 / Thibault pumper (625/750) (SN#T72-158)
• 1970 King Seagrave open cab aerial (-/-/100' rear-mount) (Chassis SN#69037; ladder SN#69038) (Donated November 2001 to Belarus) (Ex-Truck 5, ex-Truck 2)
• 1966 Mack C125 / 1991 refurb pumper (1050/500) (VIN#C125FC1100) (200 lbs. Purple K system added 1991, transferred to Kingston Airport) (Ex-Pumper 3) (Sold to Ed's Salvage Arnprior ONT)
• 1966 Mack C125 pumper (1050/500) (Ex-Pumper 2)
• 1965 American LaFrance 900 Aero-Chief aerial (-/-/90' platform) (SN#7-1-9940) (Ex-Truck 1) (Sold to Omemee / Emily Fire Department)
• 1954 GMC 470 / Bickle pumper (500/500)
• 1951 American LaFrance 700 pumper (SN#L-4321)
• 1948 American LaFrance 710-PJC pumper (840/125) (SN#L-3002)
• 1944 American LaFrance M-5-85 JOX aerial (-/-/85' mid-mount) (SN#L-2013) (Ex-Truck 1)
• 1935 Seagrave 66-EB Sentry / Bickle pumper (625/80) (Seagrave SN#80980) (Sold to Hillier Township Fire Department)
• 1929 REO pumper
• 1929 Ford roadster
• 1927 REO tractor / 1918 ladder truck (Replaced 1924 Reo tractor)
• 1924 REO tractor / 1918 ladder truck
• 1923 Ruggles
• 1918 REO Speedwagon ladder truck (Converted 1927 to hose truck)

Future Plans

In December 2022, City Council approved the construction of a new west end fire station to be built by 2026. The location is yet to be determined but is intended to address response gaps in the coverage areas for Stations 7 and 10 and service a growing area of the city. The facility will be staffed with full-time crews.

External Links

• Kingston Fire and Rescue Services
• East Kingston Firefighters Association
• Kingston Professional Firefighters Association
• Kingston Fire and Rescue Facebook page

Station Map

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