Fire Department
The Cochrane Volunteer Fire Department provides protection from fire, life-threatening emergencies and dangerous conditions through a team approach in regards to fire protection, fire prevention and public education.
The Department
The Cochrane Fire Department is comprised of 33 dedicated, trained firefighters, which includes:
- Fire Chief Richard Vallée
- Deputy Chief Brian Malherbe
- Asst. Deputy Chief Donald Viau
- Fire Prevention Officer Email
Although it is our hope that you will never need to use our emergency services, our well-trained professional team is fully prepared to respond quickly and courteously to your call for assistance.
It is our goal to be a respected and effective fire department that fosters a high level of training and efficient response to all calls. We will continue to proudly serve the Town of Cochrane and will maintain open communications within the department and with other town services, organizations, and mutual aid department.
The Emergency Plan
The Cochrane Fire Hall is the Primary Emergency Operations Centre for Cochrane. The Town has a comprehensive emergency plan that complies annually with EMO regulations. The plan is intended to aid in ensuring the coordination of municipal volunteer and emergency services, including EMO in an emergency or disaster to bring the situation under control with the utmost effect.
Importance of Fire Safety
Learning about fire safety is important for people of all ages, as being fire smart can help save your life. For more information on fire safety, please contact the Fire Chief, and he will be happy to answer any questions or concerns that you may have. For further information on fire safety or the Ontario Fire Code, please visit ofm.gov.on.ca.
Fire Safe With Sparky
Teaching children on the importance of fire safety with an ounce fun. Join Sparky on Family Fun Fire Safety adventures that include making your own home escape plan and fire safety colouring pages. To learn more about Sparky, simply watch the video below and visit the website.
Open Air Burning Permits
You can apply for your Open Air Burn Permit online. Apply for your Open Air Burn Permit by clicking HERE. It’s fast and easy!
Changes effective April 1, 2021 include:
- Burn permits are required in the urban and rural areas
- Cochrane Fire department reserves the right to inspect any and all fire permit request at their discretion, if you have purchased your annual permit it can be enjoyed immediately following payment
- Permit fees starting at $20.00
For additional information regarding Open Air Burning, contact the Fire Department by email at oncall@cochraneontario.com or by telephone at 705-272-6758. In addition, you can view a copy of the Open Air Burning By-Law.
Apply For Open Air Burn Permit
Stubborn the Book
Stubborn celebrates the centennial of Cochrane, Ontario, and describes the determination, grit, and downright stubbornness of the scrappy pioneers who settled and populated Northern Ontario in the nineteenth century. One man in particular, Ed Caswell, personified this quality of stubbornness as he and his community battled one disaster after another.
The book illustrates treasured photos of Cochrane’s difficult early days, and also celebrates the dedicated Northland firefighters of today. Download a copy of the book synopsis and learn how you can own your very own copy of the book.
Police Services
The Town of Cochrane is a place that prides itself on making residents, visitors and investors alike feel as though they are a part of the fabric of the community. The town offers a strong and diverse set of community services within all four seasons.
Ontario Provincial Police
In 1998, the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Cochrane entered into an agreement with the Ministry of the Solicitor General for the provision of adequate and effective police services by the Ontario Provincial Police.
Adequate and effective police services offered by the Ontario Provincial Police for the Town of Cochrane includes, at a minimum, all of the following:
- Crime prevention
- Law enforcement
- Assistance to victims of crime
- Public order maintenance
- Emergency response
To this day, the OPP continues to serve the Town of Cochrane and its local area with the utmost professionalism and pride.
The Board & More
Pursuant to Section 27(1) of the Police Service Act, Council is required to establish a Police Services Board. Click on the link below to access the Board’s Terms of Reference.
Citizen Self Reporting
The Ontario Provincial Police is pleased to offer Citizen Self Reporting (CSR), an alternative reporting option that allows the public to report specific crimes to police via the internet, anywhere, anytime. The OPP’s Citizens Self Reporting system allows members of the public to use a computer or mobile device to report an incident without requiring an officer to attend the scene.
The system is simple and convenient, and can be used when reporting incidents that do not involve injury or a suspect, or a crime that is not an emergency. The use of this new system is completely optional. Police will still attend a call for services, if desired.
cochrane well-being
The Community Safety and Well-being Plan has been developed for our community. It is mainly based on four areas of focus selected by analyzing the results of the statistics for our community. The four areas of focus are the following:
- Crime
- Housing
- Mental Health
- Substance Abuse & Addiction
