Fire Department Expects to Break Annual Calls for Service Record in 2025; 87 Calls in Quarter 3 Alone

By Tessa Swanton (Townson),
Bruce Peninsula Press

An October 21st interview with Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula (MNBP) Fire Chief, Jack Burt, revealed that a staggering 87 calls for service were received in Quarter 3 (Q3- July to September) of this year, 38 of those calls dispatched in August. A 19% increase in Q3 of 2025 over Q3 of 2024 is reflective of an increase in tourism to the area. With 198 calls collected as of October 21st, Burt anticipates the Fire Department will surpass last year’s record high of 215 calls.

Bush Rescues Represent 25% of Total Call Volume in Q3

The Fire Dept. responded to 22 bush rescues in Q3, predominantly located in the Bruce Peninsula National Park and Lion’s Head Provincial Park. Fire Chief Burt described bush rescues as long calls where volunteer firefighters must traverse difficult terrain to extricate people from the bush using a stretcher on foot. Burt recalled an instance where a helicopter traveled from the Canadian Armed Forces in Trenton and transferred a patient to the Owen Sound Hospital for a serious leg surgery. The call totaled 14 hours before the incident was mitigated, and firefighters left the bush. Typically, a minimum of ten firefighters is assigned to a bush rescue, sometimes more depending on the environment. Burt said, “It is a long task to carry someone out of the bush on a stretcher, it takes a lot of time and is hard on our staff. We are fortunate to have firefighters in our community who will go out there and help people in a time of need, because it’s not an easy job.”

Staff from the Bruce Peninsula National Park work closely with the MNBP Fire Department to respond to bush rescues. Park management will send their staff to assist in rescues. The MNBP Fire Dept. and National Park complete cross training together and some Park staff double as volunteer firefighters and understand Fire Dept. procedures. As the Provincial Park is unstaffed, both Tobermory and Lion’s Head fire station volunteers respond to calls in that area.

Tourism Grows – Highway 6 Vehicle Presence Increases – Motor Vehicle Collisions Rise 

An increase in tourism during the summer season resulted in more vehicles driving on Highway 6 causing several motor vehicle collisions. Chief Burt recalled 14 collisions in a short time frame, 12 of which were in August. He said, “Some of the accidents were extremely serious in nature.” One fatality was recorded during Q3 due to a vehicle accident. “In one weekend from a Friday to a Monday, we had 7 car accidents all with very significant damage and injuries to people in those vehicles,” said Burt. Luckily, MNBP volunteer firefighters are medically trained first responders. A typical response to a motor vehicle collision begins with firefighters assessing the scene upon arrival, determining if additional ambulances are required, and placing that request. Next, patient care is administered, and all vehicles are secured and placed in “park” to avoid additional damage. Firefighters check vehicles for lithium-ion batteries (often found in electric vehicles) as they pose a significant fire risk due to their unique properties and potential for thermal runaway. “Scene safety is a big component of those first firefighters arriving on scene,” he stated. Patients are removed from vehicles using tools or other methods and transported by ambulance to hospital. The Fire Chief noted that “We’re seeing more vehicles on our Highway and as a result we’re seeing more accidents.” 

Local Business Structure Fires Saved by Early Intervention 

Two major structure fires were managed with early intervention by the Fire Dept. in Q3. A bathroom fan in Unit 1 of the 5-unit motel at Bear Tracks Inn and Restaurant in Ferndale started a fire with an estimated $2.2 million dollars in damages on July 30th. A second fire at EPH Tools and Machining on Highway 6 north of Ferndale began with a lithium-ion battery. Chief Burt expressed, “With the extensive training that our firefighters have done the past few years, they were confident enough to go in and suppress fires in both of those buildings.” He continued to state, “Without early intervention and a quick aggressive attack, both of those buildings would’ve experienced significantly more damage as a result of those fires.” He conveyed that the extensive training offered to volunteer firefighters has “certainly paid off” and they are becoming more aware of hazards and their strong ability to fight fires. 

Water Rescues: Tourists Must Know the Risks

The Fire Dept. conducted 6 water rescues in July, August and September. Water rescues can be “extremely difficult”, and one fatality was reported in Howdenvale, South Bruce Peninsula. Due to the proximity of the incident to the southern border of NBP, both North and South Bruce Peninsula (SBP) Fire Depts. responded to the call. Fire Chief Burt reported that the patient was retrieved from the water, however they succumbed to their injuries. The victim was not wearing a life jacket.

NBP works closely with the SBP Fire Dept. Burt described SBP Fire as “our mutual aid partner.” The departments assist one another as needed and occupy a strong relationship built off joint training and support. “We continue to build on that relationship so that all of our firefighters work seamlessly together in the event of an emergency,” said the Fire Chief.

Another water rescue involved someone who had no water experience and flipped their kayak. Fortunately, they were wearing a lifejacket and swam to an island where they were rescued by the Fire Dept. The victim had developed hypothermia. Fire Chief Burt said, “This case speaks to the fact that we have a lot of people that have never been in a watercraft and are unaware of the risk of how easy it is to flip one of those devices.”

Burt spoke to kayaks and canoes available at Airbnb rentals in the Municipality and the risks of using the devices without understanding the dangers of open water, especially operation without a life jacket and an inability to swim.  

“If you don’t wear a life jacket when going onto the water, you’re taking a chance with your life. And we’re seeing that season after season in North Bruce Peninsula,” he declared. 

Consistent Training Offered for Firefighters and the Community 

A total of 6 public education events were hosted in NBP during Q3. First aid training and automated external defibrillator (AED) training is crucial for an aging community due to the vast geographical size of the Municipality triggering long response times. “Critical intervention is important,” said the Fire Chief. “If you can start CPR and do first aid before we arrive, that increases the chances of life saving measures for that person.”

Based on the NBP waters, firefighters are being trained in ice and surface water rescue. These two categories of water rescue focus on standing water with a minor current.

NBP is continuing to investigate methods to retrieve people faster during bush rescue efforts. Drone usage is improving rescue missions. The Department’s upgraded internal radio systems now provide greater coverage throughout the Municipality and further tweaks to the radio system in 2026 will expand communications. 

Firefighter Recruitment: Give Back to Your Community 

Visit www.northbrucepeninsula.ca/employment to submit a Volunteer Firefighter Application Form. A great firefighter would demonstrate dedication and caring for your community, expressed the Fire Chief. As a volunteer firefighter, “you’re part of a truly important team in the Municipality.” 

Burt voiced, “When I joined [the Fire Dept.], I wanted to give back to my community, that’s what I see from most of the firefighters that are joining now, they want to be part of this team because they care for this community, and they want to do what makes it safe.”

The Fire Chief thanked all volunteer firefighters for their contributions this demanding season. He said, “We are tired, but we do it because we care.”