Fire and Protective Services
Fire and Protective Services is the oldest department in the City of Whitehorse. Established in 1901, the department undertakes a number of activities, including urban and wildland fire suppression, fire prevention, training, fire safety inspections, rescue, and building plan reviews.
The department has full and part-time members, and operates out of Fire Hall Number One on Second Avenue and Fire Hall Number Two located in the City’s Public Safety Building located on the top of Two Mile Hill.
For fire emergencies, dial 9-1-1
Outside of an emergency, please call 668-2462.
Fire and Protective Services is proud to provide fire suppression services (structural, wildland, etc.), technical rescue services (ice, high and low angle rope, confined space, elevator, machinery entanglement), dangerous goods support operations, air quality response (i.e. carbon monoxide and LPG alarms and odours), vehicle extrication and EMS assist support.
Fire and Protective Services is comprised of both career and volunteer firefighters.
The department break down is as follows:
- Fire Chief
- 2 Deputy Fire Chiefs
- Chief Training Officer
- 2 Fire Prevention Officer
- 4 Platoon Chiefs
- 4 Fire Captains
- 16 Career Firefighters
- 4 Career Fire Dispatchers
- 4 Casual Fire Dispatchers
- 5 Casual Firefighters
The department operates out of two fire halls. Fire Hall #1 is located at Black Street and Fire Hall #2 is located at Two Mile Hill and Range Road.
- Fire Hall #1 is equipped with one 1500 GPM SMEAL Pumper Apparatus and one Spare pumper with Rescue equipment.
- Fire Hall #2 is equipped with one 1500 GPM SMEAL Pumper Apparatus, One 1250 GPM 75Ft Aerial Ladder Apparatus, one Rescue Utility Vehicle, one 1500 Gallon Tanker and various patten Command Vehicles.
Fire Halls are staffed 24 hrs/day on a rotational shift pattern by a normal complement of five members on duty, three in one hall and two in the other, with volunteers providing backup for all responses.
Whitehorse Fire and Protective Services responds to approximately 700 to 800 incidents per year.
The Whitehorse Fire Department is a proud and committed organization, dedicated to proactively providing compassionate and responsive service. The Department is “dedicated to the protection of life, property and the environment” by providing fire prevention and suppression services, public education, hazardous materials response, rescue, and first aid.
The Fire Department was originally formed in 1901 after rapid growth in the area. Initially, all the firefighters were volunteers and, like today, they were from all walks of life. The Whitehorse Fire Department can proudly claim having Robert Service as a member for a short period of time. For the first forty years of the Department’s existence, steam-powered pumps and hand- drawn hose reels were the mainstay of the Department’s firefighting equipment. In 1942, Dowland Construction one, of the main contractors on the Alaska Highway Project, purchased a brand new Ford fire truck for the citizens of Whitehorse. The new truck was the first motorized equipment owned by the Department. In 1950, the Territorial Government granted the status of “city” to Whitehorse. Since then, the Fire Department has been operated by The City of Whitehorse. The Whitehorse Fire Department has continued to grow and develop into the department that exists today.
As we move forward in the 21st Century, the Department is placing more and more emphasis on fire prevention, including wild fire abatement, public education, pre-emergency planning, and fire inspections, to reduce the number of destructive fires that occur each year. Mutual Aid agreements with surrounding Fire Departments enhance the suppression services available to the citizens of Whitehorse and the adjacent areas. The Department is also involved with Emergency Measures planning to prepare for those situations that may overwhelm the local resources.
Rescue 1
2019 SVI, auto extrication, rope rescue, water rescue, HAZMAT, incident support and rehabilitation.
Ladder 1
2005 Smeal, 75-foot rear mount aerial, 1250 GPM (gallons per minute) pump, 500 gallon water tank.
Pumper 3
2017 Fort Garry, pumper/tanker, 1050 GPM pump, 1500 gallon water tank, rear dump discharge, pump-and-roll capacity, front remote turret.
Pumper 6
2014 Smeal, 1500 GPM, 800gallon water tank.
Pumper 7
2015 Smeal, 1500 GPM, 800 gallon water tank, full complement of auto extrication tools.
Tanker 2
2018 MaxiMetal, 2000 gallon tanker.
Chief 2
2009 Ford Expedition Command vehicle.
Chief 3
2014 Ford Expedition Command vehicle.
Bush 1
2008 Ford F-450 Crew Cab, 200 gallon wildland skit unit, forestry equipment.
Bush 2
2017 Yamaha Viking UTV with track kit, medical transport skin, forestry equipment.
Utility 1
2009 Ford F-250 with technical rescue trailer.
Emergency management includes Whitehorse Alert, what3words, emergency plans, and more.
Take some time to review the ways you and your family can stay safe in your home, workplace, and community.
Please view our Business Owner’s Pre-Fire Inspection Checklist here.
Are you a Day care owner or operator? View the Day Care Fire Safety Requirements document.
Payments for fire inspections can be made online, see our online payment information guide.
A City of Whitehorse Burn Permit is required for all open burning.
Burning is permitted only between October 1 and March 31.
Open burning sites may be subject to an inspection prior to a permit being issued.
Permit types and cost:
- Seasonal: October 1 – March 31 – $110
- 7-Day permit from date of issue: $22
- Land Clearing: $110/day
Residents can expect a follow-up within 2 business days during regular business hours.
7-Day and Land Clearing permits will require specific dates on which burning will occur.
If your permit application is approved, payment instructions will be forwarded to the applicant.
Proof of payment is required before a permit is issued.
Payments can be made online or in-person during business hours at the Public Safety Building, 305 Range Road.
To obtain a Burn Permit, fill out and submit the application form:
Burn Permits may be cancelled or suspended at any time.
The permit holder is required to comply with the conditions outlined on the permit and in section 64 of the Emergency Services Bylaw 2024-44.
If found in contravention, you may be held financially responsible for the cost of any emergency response.
Burning compostable materials is not permitted.
Please take compostable materials to the Waste Management Facility, or place into your green organics bin for Curbside Collection.
Until October 31, anyone FireSmarting their property can drop off brush at the Waste Management Facility free of charge.
Burning of hazard causing materials is not permitted.
In all instances rubber tires, oil, petroleum products, asphalt products,
batteries, refuse, plastic, construction waste, or non-dried organic materials of any kind will not be permitted for starting, fueling or feeding a fire.
Integrate FireSmarting into your fall yard clean-up. Reduce the chance of wind-blown embers igniting your home by clearing vegetation and combustible material, and pruning any woody shrubs or trees.