About Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency

Welcome to the oldest fire department in Canada.

Since 1754, Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency (HRFE) has been dedicated to enhancing and preserving the quality of life and property. HRFE serves and protects 419,000 residents in a 5,577 km2 area – roughly the size of Prince Edward Island.

Career and volunteer fire crews at 51 fire stations throughout the Halifax region provide a full range of emergency services including:

  • fire prevention (fire inspections and code enforcement, fire investigations and public fire safety education)
  • fire suppression and rescue
  • technical rescue (auto extrication, machinery, ice water, high-angle rope, trench, and confined space rescue, collapse rescue)
  • hazardous materials response including chemical, biological, radioactive, nuclear, and explosive
  • pre-hospital emergency medical services
  • emergency management

Mission
Our members are dedicated to enhancing and preserving quality of life, property and environment through education, leadership, partnerships and effective response to emergencies to ensure the citizens of HRM live in safe, inclusive and welcoming communities.

Values
We value Safety, Pride, Integrity/Accountability, Respect Diversity & Inclusion, Innovation, and Teamwork (SPIRIT)

• SAFETY: Commitment to a safe community and workplace.

• PRIDE: In our performance, the service we provide and the communities we serve.

• INTEGRITY & ACCOUNTABILTY: In everything we do, an organization that is trusted by those we serve.

• RESPECT: The uniqueness and diversity of others. All our actions and interactions with others reflect on HRFE.

• INNOVATION: Building a sustainable emergency service strategy for the future and remaining relevant in a changing landscape.

• TEAMWORK and COMMUNICATION: Together we are better. Open, honest, timely and respectful communications are always welcome.

Cornerstones
1. Public Safety and Trust

2. Workplace Safety

3. Performance and Brand Integrity

4. Teamwork and Leadership

HRFE Strategic Plan for 2024-2029

The HRFE Strategic Plan for 2024-2029 outlines the department's priorities and goals for the next five years. This plan is designed to address the evolving needs of the Halifax Regional Municipality by focusing on five key areas:

  • Supporting Our People: Strengthening recruitment, retention, health, and professional development to build a capable and resilient workforce.
  • Engaging Our Community: Enhancing partnerships, risk reduction programs, and community safety initiatives.
  • Responding Diligently: Improving response times, operational programs, and specialty capabilities to meet service standards.
  • Building System Capacity and Resilience: Establishing long-term infrastructure and preparedness for large-scale incidents.
  • Quality and Innovation: Pursuing accreditation, integrating new technologies, and fostering continuous improvement.

Developed through extensive consultation and grounded in evidence-based decision-making, the Strategic Plan serves as a framework for HRFE’s operations and a guide to delivering effective and sustainable fire and emergency services for the municipality.

Read the Strategic Plan. 

Annual Reports

Our response times

We strive to respond to emergencies as quickly and with the most effective response team as possible, striving to maintain 90% of Regional Council approved response standards annually for services outlined in Administrative Order 2018-006-OP. Watch the video below to learn more about these standards.

Emergency Response Times Target

First firefighter on scene for fire: 8 minutes

Effective firefighting force on scene for fire: 14 firefighters within 11 minutes

First firefighter on scene for medical calls: 7.5 minutes

First firefighter on scene for fire: 13 minutes for Career Firefighter (daytime), 17 minutes for Volunteer Firefighter

First firefighter on scene for medical calls: 12.5 minutes for Career Firefighter (daytime), 17 minutes for Volunteer Firefighter

Union Fire Club Pipes and Drums

The Union Fire Club Pipes and Drums primary function is to provide musical support to the members and families of Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency. The band is a non-profit society that draws its name from the oldest fire department in Canada, The Union Fire Club, which was established in Halifax in 1754.
 
To inquire about upcoming events for the Union Fire Club Pipes and Drums contact Mike Sears.

A photo of the Union Fire Club Pipes and Drums playing at the 2016 Halifax Explosion Memorial service at Station 4.

Union Fire Club Pipes and Drums playing at the 2016 Halifax Explosion Memorial service.

Contact Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency

Regional Headquarters
40 Alderney Drive, Suite 302
Dartmouth, N.S., B2Y 2N5


Mailing address:
P.O. Box 1749
Halifax, N.S., B3J 3A5


E-mail: hrmfire@halifax.ca
Hours of operation: 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Non-Emergency Phone: 902.490.5530 or 311