New Ross Volunteer Fire Department

A Message from the Chief

We are very proud to serve the citizens of New Ross and our neighbours in District 6. With over 30 professional volunteers, we provide emergency services for fire, medical first response, motor vehicle collisions, ice and water rescue, and many other calls for assistance.

Last year we responded to over 110 emergency calls in our community and assisted with several emergencies in our neighbouring communities.

The safety of our citizens and visitors is of utmost importance to us. Please take some time to look at the Safety and Prevention information provided for your use.

Our volunteer members would be proud to show you the apparatus and equipment we operate when we respond to an emergency. Give us a call. We would be most willing to show you around the station.

Perhaps you may have some time to help us and your community. If so, please take a look at the information on the Volunteering page. We would really like to see you as part on our team.

Please be safe,

Lyle Russell, Fire Chief
New Ross Fire Department

The New Ross Volunteer Fire Department was founded in 1946 and is the second oldest department in the Municipality of the District of Chester. The department started up with very basic equipment and only a few dedicated community members.

In 1946 the Farmers Association held a meeting. They came up with a fire hall for the New Ross area. The first fire hall was built to hold their original equipment. The building was only 20 ft x 30 ft, and not large enough to hold any fire trucks. Some basic equipment and a hose was bought from the War Assets Board for a cost of $254.27. Additionally, 3 sets of rubber boots were bought for $5.00 and a step ladder and 30 fire buckets were acquired.

Unfortunately at this time there was no fire truck within the Department. Mr. Phil Barkhouse therefore took the initiative and wrote to the War Assets Board to determine if any apparatus could be made available to New Ross. He was able to acquire a fire truck for the department in 1948. It was a 1945 Ford.

Today, the Department responds to over 100 emergency calls annually within our community, which include fires, motor vehicle collisions, technical rescue, medical first response, and other miscellaneous calls.

The Department also provides many non-emergency services, supplying information and training on public safety, public awareness, and technical expertise on a variety of issues. We work closely with our community, supporting the activities of many local organizations.

Over the next few years we recognize that we will be faced with new and even more challenging risks. The technology for responding to these situations continues to advance, especially in the area of safety for our volunteers. Through our active training programs we are committed to stay current with the most recent standards in emergency response.

Our volunteers work hard to provide these services to our community. We are proud of our community, its citizens and the role we play in protecting and preserving our way of life.