Wildfire Prevention

Fire Weather Map Index (NS Dept. of Natural Resources) - click here

How to protect your home and property in the event of a wildfire - click here

Preventing a Fire in your Home

How to Prevent a Fire in your Home - click here 

Safety is No Game - Keep your Family Safe - click here 

Kid's Corner

Sparky the Fire Dog - click here

Smokey the Bear - click here

Serving as a volunteer in the Wolfville Fire Department is both a rewarding and challenging commitment. Membership involves attending weekly trainings on Monday evenings, responding to alarms, attending meetings and serving on various committees within the department.

The process of joining the department begins when an individual submits an application to the membership committee. On a monthly basis the committee reviews applications and considers applicants for an interview. The interview is a fairly informal process by which the membership committee can ask some important questions regarding the commitment and availability of the applicant, as well as providing the applicant with a realistic picture of service in the department. Following the interview, the applicant will be invited to sit-in on weekly trainings for one month to observe, begin to learn the way things are done, and most importantly begin to meet the other members of the department. After this month of observation, the membership committee will present the applicant for voting at the monthly meeting of the department. At this meeting, members will vote on each applicant to determine their acceptance in the department.

If the applicant is voted in as a new member, they will be outfitted with bunker gear and a pager, and will begin their service with the department as a probationary member. While probationary members may begin attending alarms right away, their duties on alarms will be limited as they are still in the process of receiving their initial training; which often requires extra commitment in the early stages of membership.

After 6 months of service in the department the probationary member will be reviewed by the membership committee and if their stats are good they may be permitted voting privileges in the department. Following one year of service, the membership committee will again review the member and if in good standing will remove the individual from their probationary membership period.

During the first two years as a volunteer in the department, every member is required to complete the NFPA Fire Fighting Level 1 training course offered through the Kings County Firefighters’ Association and the Nova Scotia Firefighters School. In addition, every member of the department is provided with training in basic life support (CPR-C and Defib). If the member is interested in additional commitment, they may choose to take extra training and join one of the special teams within the department. In concert with several neighbouring fire departments in Kings County, the department has a Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Team and a High-Angle Rope Rescue Team which respond to special emergencies within the County. Although membership is a significant time commitment, serving as a volunteer in the Wolfville Fire Department is a rewarding experience for those who wish to give back to their community. “We never close."

Download Membership Application Form - Click here

(All applications must be delivered in person to the Wolfville Volunteer Fire Department, 355 Main Street, Wolfville.)

Enquiries? Contact Wolfville Fire Department Recruiting: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Established in 1890, the Wolfville Volunteer Fire Department provides services to the Town of Wolfville and adjacent communities of The Municipality of the County of Kings.  The Department consists of forty (40) Volunteer Firefighters, who provide not only the 'usual' firefighting duties but in concert with neighboring departments, Kentville, and New Minas, Volunteer Fire Departments, have developed a special team to provide Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) Emergency Response service across Kings County.

The Department responds to approximately 150-200 calls per year.
Are you prepared for an emergency?
Take time to review the Kings County Regional Emergency Guide

Mission Statement:

"To provide quality Fire Suppression, Fire Prevention, and Rescue Services to protect the lives and property of the Citizens of Wolfville and surrounding communities."

Do you have questions about becoming a Volunteer with the Wolfville Fire Department?

View this list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

On October 14th, 1890, the Wolfville Fire and Protection Company, consisting of horse and hand drawn equipment, began serving the Town of Wolfville and surrounding communities from the building on Central Avenue that now houses Dr.'s Winslade and Pothier offices. The meetings of the Department were held on the third floor of the C.H. Porter and Sons building. Early in the 20th century, the Company moved part of its operations to the Main Street building that is now the Kipawo Arts Centre. In this location was housed the Department's first motorized apparatus, a 1923 LaFrance Pumper, which is currently still in working order and privately owned. The Department's first ladder truck was a Stewart purchased in the mid-1940's and was used to carry ground ladders.

In 1945, the Department surrendered its incorporated status to become an agency of the Town of Wolfville and was reorganized as the Wolfville Volunteer Fire Department.

In the early 1950's the Department moved to the new Civic Complex and a three bay station housing four units was built on the station's current location. The Public Works building is now used by the RCMP. The existing fire station was demolished to be replaced by a new larger station to provide space for eight units, administration, recreation and training which opened in 1971.

The first aerial device was an open cab 65 foot 1941 LaFrance purchased in the early 1970's, formerly in service with the Halifax Naval Dockyard, and ultimately fd43.jpgsold to the Springhill Fire Department. It was replaced by a 1967 100 foot LaFrance aerial on an International chassis which was sold to the Lawrencetown Fire Department in 1990 when the Department purchased a 1977 LTI 85 foot platform aerial from a dealer in Pennsylvania. The unit originally saw service in Florida. The Department is one of the founding members of the Western Nova Scotia Mutual Aid system, one of the most actively used mutual aid systems in Canada. As a result of membership, the Department has responded to major alarms throughout Kings County and beyond, travelling as far as the former Cornwallis Naval Base to assist in fighting the Nova Tire Recycling Plant Fire in 1999.

The major fire at the internationally recognized Tattingstone Inn in Wolfville in the early 1990's which was contained such that the building could be restored and reopened, resulted in the owner hosting a reception for the members and families of Wolfville and responding mutual aid Departments. Retired Chief Gerald Wood, fire chief at the time of the fire, noted that this sort of recognition is rare and was greatly appreciated by the members.

The Department celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1990 and at that time was presented with a plaque of recognition by the serving President of the International Association of Fire Chiefs-the only presentation of its type to a volunteer department in the history of the Association.

In the 1990's the response patterns of the Department changed significantly and the need for specialty services was recognized. As a result, a Hazardous-Materials response team was established in conjunction with the New Minas and Kentville Fire Departments. Subsequently High Angle Rope Rescue was added.

The apparatus of the Department presently consists of:

Two 1500 GPM custom pumpers

A 1050 GPM, 2500 gallon tanker

An 100 foot ladder tower

A 1250 GPM rescue / pumper

Two light rescue / personnel carrier unit.

A 14 foot enclosed Haz-Mat trailer