Rescue Services

Auto Extrication

All front-line pumpers in Peterborough are equipped with specific auto extrication tools (i.e. Jaws of Life). All firefighters are trained in the use of these tools, as well as the hazards found in the latest automobiles. These items include air bags, pressurized bumpers, and pressurized seatbelt containers.

When a motor vehicle accident happens, 2 rescue pumpers are dispatched. When the 1st rescue pumper arrives, they survey the scene and begin to extinguish any fires, then stabilize the vehicle, provide first aid, and extricate the victim.

The 2nd rescue pumper provides back-up assistance. The general practice is not to "remove the victims from the car", but to "remove the car away from the passengers". (e.g. cut the roof and doors off).

Water Rescue

Water Rescue is a service called upon any time of the year.

Due to the many bodies of water, Otonabee River, Trent-Severn Waterway, and Jackson Creek, there is a high risk with water-related accidents. The Otonabee River and Trent Severn Waterway have thousands of visitors who swim, fish, boat, sail, canoe, snowshoe, and ski on, and cross over these waterways on 5 dams and over 10 bridges. Most people are safe and respectful of the water, currents and off-season cold temperatures.

When a 911 call is made for water rescue, our Standard Operating Procedure calls for two rescue units to be dispatched, one for primary rescue, and 2nd for back-up. There are 3 levels of response:

1. Shore-based only
2. Boat-based
3. Controlled water entry



Peterborough Fire Services is designated as Level 3 Water Rescue Response, using 2 Rescue One Connector flat bottom boats (18 ft) with 35 hp motors, throw ropes, ice rescue platform unit, swiftwater rescue gear, and coldwater immersion suits.



Hazardous Materials

Hazardous Materials has become a real concern in cities with commercial and industrial businesses. Incidents like Hamilton's Plastimet Recycling fire (1998), Hagersville Tire fire (1995), and Toronto?s regular industrial fires, have raised community concern over chemicals used in local businesses, or transported through the city. To deal with these concerns, municipalities and fire departments decide which level of response they will prepare and train to address.

There are 3 levels of emergency response which determine the skills firefighters learn and practice, and the tools we use to manage the situation. These levels range from :
1. "Awareness" (basic level)
2. "Operations" (intermediate)
3. "Technicial" (comprehensive)

For the most serious hazardous material spills or releases, PFS crews contain the situation as best as they can, and then the federal chemical emergency advisory centre - CANUTEC - provides contact to appropriate outside agencies for further assistance at the "Technician" level.

PFS maintains a Haz-Mat Resource Trailer which is available to county-wide Fire & Rescue departments for industrial incidents, tractor-trailer accidents and spills, and other haz-mat emergencies.

Emergency Medical Services

When a serious medical emergency occurs, time is of the essence. A critically ill or injured patient needs medical treatment as soon as possible to optimize recovery. Through a tiering program that incorporates the Fire Department into Peterborough's overall Emergency Medical system. Peterborough Fire?s first responders combine speed with the various life support skills and equipment necessary to offer the best patient care possible.

Upon arrival, our mandate directs us to stabilize the scene and initiate care, maintaining the patient(s) until they have been assessed by Peterborough Paramedics. We then assist in preparing the patient for transport and may further support the Ambulance by delegating a firefighter to help with treatment en route to the hospital.

Peterborough Fire Services is firmly committed to our role in EMS, and recently undertook a unique program to certify its firefighters as Basic Trauma Life Support providers. This and other training in patient assessment, stabilization, resuscitative techniques, and oxygen therapy allow us to provide initial emergency care for the broad range of medical emergencies, including heart attack, shock, diabetic reaction, seizures, sever bleeds, and traumatic injury. And should a cardiac arrest occur, Peterborough Fire Services can turn to defibrillation.

This city was one of the first cities in the Ontario province to train its firefighters in defibrillation and has since the mid-1990's, carried defibrillators on all its front-line vehicles. These have proven highly successful life saving devices. Attached to the patient following an assessment of need made by our personnel, the defibrillator will search for a particular set of electrical impulses before prompting the operating to "stand clear and shock".