EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
Fire: 807-547-2400
Ambulance: 807-468-3311
Have your new address ready when calling:
number & road name on blue & white signs
Changing needs of MCFD
Over the past 33 years fire protection demands have changed dramatically.
Current MCFD Firehall under construction in 1993
McKenzie-Clearwater Volunteer Fire Department’s firehall has been standing in its current location since 1993.
In the 30 plus years plus since the firehall was built, the needs of volunteer fire departments have evolved dramatically.
Increased complexity
Cottages of today are built much larger with very different materials than in the past. To control a fire in these larger structures requires more water, and in turn, larger trucks with more high-capacity pumps.
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In addition to structure fires,
the MCFD scope of services includes
» medical calls
» auto extrication
» brush and forest fire fighting
» ice water rescue​
Responding to these diverse emergencies requires significantly more technical equipment than in the past. Further, the regulations for firefighter health and safety and for hall ventilation and equipment storage have become much more stringent.
MCFD vast jurisdiction
Another important change is the increased population in the MCFD area. Its vast jurisdiction stretches from the Manitoba border east to McKenzie Portage Road and from the CP Rail Line south to Shoal Lake Narrows. The increased number of cottagers, residents and tourists living and traveling through beautiful Northwestern Ontario means we need more Firefighters to respond to an increased number of calls.
Vast jurisdiction of the MCFD
Growing team
In 1993 the MCFD had 12-15 Firefighters. In 2026 we have 22 Firefighters, and are currently training 4 new recruits.
Training requirements
In 2022, Ontario passed legislation that firefighters need to be certified—not just trained. This means that by July 1, 2026 all firefighters need NFPA 1001: Level 1 and Level 2—the “fully trained firefighter.”
This legislation creates a challenge to provide adequate training space and equipment - another pressure on our small rural firehall.
A serious need for more space
The changes described above have compounded to create a serious need for more space.
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Thus, the MCFD Board of Directors and Firefighters are launching a Capital Campaign to build a new firehall.
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And because our needs are great, we need our whole community's support to move forward.
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To the right is a preliminary drawing of the new firehall. MCFD is hoping to put shovels in the ground in the summer of 2027.
These drawings are for conceptual purposes only. The final new firehall design is subject to change.