top of page

Emergency Services

Show your civic number and call 911 should an emergency occur
Picture2.png
Picture1.png

Equipment

​

  • #115        Emergency medical rescue, 2017 dodge ¾ ton truck, 4x4

  • #215        Tanker-pumper, 2009 International, 2,500 US gallons

  • #225        Tanker-pumper, 1997 Freightliner F80, 800 US gallons

  • #1105      Rescue off Road Side By Side

  • #1105-2   Ski-Doo

  • #18-05     Water Rescue Boat

 

Otter Lake is connected to the 911 Emergency Services

Emergency Staff
 

  • We are proud to have on our team 27 firefighters, of which 7 are women.

  • 12 of our staff are first responders who have level 3 training. This is the highest level for emergency response.

Chief / Director

Ronnie Vadneau

Captain

Guy Lafleur

Russell Lance

Marc Ladouceur

Safety Officer

Jean Paul Lafleur

Dwight Prophet

Assistant  Director

Ronnie Vadneau

Lieutenant

Lee Vadneau

Serge Lance

Miranda Kluke
Randy Richard
Terry Lafleur

Chief of Operations

Ronnie Vadneau

Supervisor of First
Responders

Caroline Gagné

  • The Otter Lake Fire Department dates back before the 1950’s.

  • The first fire chief on record was Melvin Hahn, followed by Charles Beriau, then Rodney Vadneau.

  • Denis Chaussé became the fire chief in 2018.

Disaster Support
 

In the event of a disaster, the Municipal Council together with the Fire Department coordinates the appropriate response.

 

The disaster plan includes the Raymond Johnston Community Centre which has heating, air conditioning, a back-up generator, and the internet. It would be used as a reception centre for residents.  

OUTDOOR FIRES

April 1 - November 15:

All outdoor fires must be contained in a fire pit (or fireplace) with a spark arrestor cover or screen with no larger than a 1 cm. diameter opening.

Open fires (not contained) are prohibited. Open fires are outdoor fires that burn freely or that could spread into a forested area, such as a campfire.

November 15 – April 1:

Open fires are only allowed if a permit is granted by the Fire Department. For more details on appropriate fire pits, please see MRC Pontiac’s brochure: Download brochure

 

MRC’s By-Law Providing for the Prevention of Fires on the Territory of the MRC Pontiac can be found here: Fire burning by-law

 

MONITORING FIRE RISK LEVELS

The Municipality of Otter Lake and the Fire Department keep up-to-date risk levels posted on their Facebook pages. Risk levels are also displayed on signs at the centre of town as well as each entrance to the town.

Categories of risk are low, moderate, high, very high and extreme. SOPFEU determines the level of risk for Quebec regions by monitoring a variety of factors, such as air humidity, amount of rain, etc.

TOTAL FIRE BAN

Upon SOPFEU’s recommendation, a decision to implement a total fire ban is made by the MRC Pontiac Fire Chiefs.

A total fire ban means that fireworks and outdoor fires are not permitted (including those that are contained and have a screen).

Screenshot 2026-07-10 144903.png

Fire Prevention
 

Verify your smoke alarms

The smoke alarm is the best way to save your life and that of your family. Install at least one smoke detector on each floor including the basement. Check their proper operation, whether they are battery or electric. Replace batteries when the time changes i.e. each 6 months.

  • Replace smoke alarms as recommended by the manufacturer, usually every 10 years.

  • Be cautious with flammable liquids and fuels.

  • Each home can harbor potentially harmful household products such as; alcohol, paint, pesticides, gasoline, heating oil, etc.

  • Never smoke when handling flammable or combustible liquids.

  • Never use flammable liquids such as gasoline to light a barbecue or fireplace.

  • Always store flammable and combustible liquids in their original containers away from sources of ignition and out of reach of children.
     

Prevent kitchen fires

  • Kitchens have their dangers (burns, fires).

  • Never heat oil in a pot for frying.

  • Use a thermostatically controlled deep fryer.

  • For cooking, use a pot with a diameter greater than or equal to the heating on the stove and always keep a lid handy.

  • Keep children and pets away when cooking appliances are on.

  • Never leave a stove unattended.
     

Fire Extinguishers

  • Every house should have a fire extinguisher that is readily accessible.

  • Fire extinguisher should be checked annually to ensure they are full
     

Beware of chimney fires

  • Cleaning your chimney at a minimum once (1) per year can prevent chimney fires. Cleaning brushes are available at the Municipal Hall during regular office hours.
     

Do you have an escape plan?

  • In case of fire it is highly recommended that every home have an escape plan. To ensure safety, each individual living in the household should know the escape plan.

Fire Works
Fire works are only permitted during the following Holidays. For more information contact the Municipal Office.

May

Victoria Day

August

Civic Holiday Weekend

June

Quebec National Holiday

September

Labour Day Weekend

July

Canada Day

Safety Precautions

​

CLEAR YOUR EXITS!

After each snowfall, clear your house exits – door entrances, balconies and stairways. 

A poorly cleared exit can interfere with a safe evacuation in the event of a fire.


BEWARE OF HAZARDOUS PRODUCTS!
Your home contains dangerous household products such as gasoline, paint, chlorine, propane etc.

In order to prevent fires and effects on your health, use, handle and store hazardous household products safely.

For example store gasoline away from chlorine and avoiding excessive accumulation of these products.

bottom of page