Fire Department

“With pride and professionalism, we provide emergency services
and education to Whitecourt and surrounding area.”

The Whitecourt Fire Department consists of a full-time Fire Chief and Deputy Chief and 40 paid-on-call Firefighters.  The Department provides fire protection and rescue services for the Town of Whitecourt and the surrounding areas of Woodlands County.

Contact the Fire Department between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday 
(except for statutory holidays) at:

Whitecourt Fire Department
5205 51 Street, Box 509
Whitecourt AB T7S 1N6
Phone: 780-778-2342

For Emergencies call 911.

Lend a Helping Hand...


TAKE THE CHALLENGE - the Whitecourt Fire Department always accepts applications for Fire Fighters!

Fill out an application form and drop if off at:
    Whitecourt Fire Department
    5205 51 Street
    Whitecourt  AB   T7S 1N6
For more information, call the Whitecourt Fire Department at 780-778-2342.

The duties of a Whitecourt Firefighter includes:

  • respond to fire call outs and provide suppression for structural, vehicle, wildland and interface fires;
  • provide emergency rescue services including vehicle extrication, wildland/off highway rescue, as well as assist the RCMP with ice and water rescues;
  • respond to Medical Aid calls to assist and supplement the Ambulance Service;
  • participate in department training with respect to emergency equipment and emergency procedures;
  • participate in public relation projects (such as recruitment, demonstrations, visits, etc.).

 

The Selection Process
Complete a Firefighter Application Form and submit it to the Whitecourt Fire Department. Please note that your employer is required to sign the application form.

Firefighters MUST commit one weekend a month for three months to training (approximately 16 hours per month), and two hours from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. every Tuesday evening. Training includes hands-on exercises, as well as classroom sessions.

Requirements:
The following are requirements that must be met in order to proceed with training:

  • be 18 years or older,
  • provide permission for a police background check,
  • provide a recent driver's abstract, and
  • complete a physical exam, or provide a copy of a recent physical exam.

Firefighter Application Form

Burn and Fire Pit Permits

Burn Permits
The Town of Whitecourt requires residential and industrial customers to obtain a Temporary Burn Permit prior to burning any clean brush or other vegetation that may have accumulated on the property.  For more information contact the Town Office.  Temporary Burn Permits cost $20.00.  Time restrictions and other permit guidelines will be imposed by the Fire Department on a case-by-case basis.

Fire Pit Permits
The Town of Whitecourt requires residents to apply for a permit for all outdoor permanent fire pits.

  • Fire Pit Permits cost $20.00.
  • Permanent Fire Pit Permits are issued to the property.  So if ownership changes, the new residents are not required to re-apply.
  • Permits are only issued to property owners, or to renters who have the owner’s written consent.

Once you have constructed a permanent fire pit on your property, visit the Town Office to apply for a Permit.  You will be required to pay a one-time $20.00 administration fee and complete an application form.  The Fire Department will do a physical inspection of the fire pit installation and issue a permit if the device or pit meets the guidelines.

Permanent Fire Pit Guidelines:

  1. Only clean fuel (wood) is to be burned. The burning of grass, yard waste, treated or painted wood, garbage, etc. is not allowed. Fires must be attended at all times. Fires must be completely extinguished at the end of each use.
  2. The burn pit/barbecue is to be located at least 3.05m (10ft) from any combustibles, i.e. buildings, fences, trees, tree overhangs, etc.
  3. The burn pit/barbecue shall be located on a non-combustible base.
  4. The burn pit/barbecue shall have non-combustible sides with a minimum height of 30cm (12in.) above ground level.
  5. A screen with openings of no more than ½" square shall be placed over the pit and must be used at all times.
  6. The cooking surface may not exceed 3,871cm2 (600 sq. in.).
  7. Freestanding fireplaces will be evaluated on an individual basis with regards to these regulations.

Failure to adhere to these regulations may result in the permit being revoked.

Operation without a valid permit may result in a fine of $100.