Fire Marshal directive 2023-001: Notification of Fires and Explosions

Latest News

Webinar: Using NFPA resources and materials

Wednesday Nov 12th, 9:30am to 11:00am Presenter: NFPA regional director Laura King Topic: Using NFPA resources and materials You’re asked to talk to a group of middle schoolers about lithium-ion battery safety on Monday. Tuesday it’s K-3 and home fire escape plans. Wednesday a condo board wants to know about EVs in the parking garage.

Read More »

Update to ESA Electrical Inspection Order Process for Fire Services

  The ESA is implementing changes to the Electrical Inspection Order process to modernize and streamline this process for all users. As of November 1, 2025, ESA is implementing changes to the Electrical Inspection Order process to modernize and streamline this process for all users. The process is utilized when there is evidence of imminent

Read More »

Fire Marshal directive 2023-001: Notification of Fires and Explosions

 

Communiqué 2023-01

February 17, 2023

On February 17, 2023, the Fire Marshal of Ontario issued directive 2023-001: Notification of Fires and Explosions which now supersedes Fire Marshal directive 2019-002 issued July 10, 2019.

The intent of Fire Marshal directive 2023-001 is to provide clarification to assistants to the Fire Marshal on the reporting of fire incidents in support of the prescribed responsibilities, powers and duties of the Fire Marshal under the Fire Protection and Prevention Act (FPPA).

Changes provide assistants to the Fire Marshal with a better understanding of their roles and responsibilities for notifying the Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM) of fires and explosions. This includes:

  1. Notifications involving a fatality, life threatening injury, or explosion will be evaluated 24/7 for determination of OFM investigation requirements, and deployment of OFM fire investigation staff.
  2. All other incidents will be evaluated from 7:30 am – 9:00 pm for a determination of investigation requirements. Calls received between 9:00 pm and 7:30 am (which do not meet the immediate notification criteria) shall be deferred by the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre until after 7:30 am the next morning.

The directive will be made available via the OFM’s SharePoint site.

Enquiries regarding directive 2023-001 may be directed to the Office of the Fire Marshal via email to askofm@ontario.ca or by fire services to their Fire Protection Adviser.