Public education has a vital role in the war against fire. Markham Fire & Emergency Services is a recognized leader in public education. The fire department attends many community events circulating fire and life safety information to Markham residents, schools and community groups. The public education division consists of two staff members:

Public Education Officer David Blizzard email: dblizzard@markham.ca or 905.477.7000 x 4200

Public Education Officer Adam Grant email: agrant@markham.ca or 905.477.7000 x 2763

Home Day Care Fire Safety

If you are a home day care provider and you are looking for some fire safety tips we have the video for you! This video was produced for home day care providers to offer them tips to keep the the children they care for safe in the home. The video focuses on the importance of fire prevention and was filmed in an actual home day care in Markham. We always ask that you contact the Ministry as well as your local fire service as there may be specific rules and regulations that may apply to you in your municipality that we have not covered in this video.

We hope you enjoy and stay Safe!

Fire Truck Requests

(30 days notice)

If you would like to request a fire truck, complete the online application or fill out the Fire Truck Request Form (18k/1p). If your group or organization would like a Markham Fire & Emergency Services Fire Truck to be a part of your upcoming event, you must submit the request at least 30 days prior to your event or presentation date. If you complete the PDF form, please fax the form to 905-479-7770.

Community Presentation Requests

If you would like a presentation, complete the online application or fill out the Community Presentation Request Form (17k/1p) to request Markham Fire & Emergency Services to attend your community event. If you complete the PDF form, please fax the form to 905-479-7770 or email dblizzard@markham.ca / agrant@markham.ca

Fire Safety Videos

Our fire safety videos have been created to address the typical questions we receive when we are out in the public at community events. The topics covered are smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers. Each video is short so that you can gather the specific information you need. The videos are also offered in 5 languages: English, Chinese, Farsi, Greek and Tamil. We will continue to produce additional videos in the future that will cover even more topics as well as additional languages. 

Community Programs

Comfort Bear Program

Our Comfort Bear program continues to provide a bear to those children involved in traumatic incidents throughout the City. Where Comfort Bears were provided we received comments such as: child was greatly calmed, child delighted and their focus was redirected from emergency to bear. Firefighters indicate this is still one of our best programs. Big smiles and no more tears help calm the parents at the same time.

Juvenile Fire Setter Program

A program designed to assist children and their families in dealing with a child who is involved with fire play or fire setting. The two main aspects of the program are mental health and education. When called, a Public Education Officer visits the home to make sure that the home is fire safe. The file is then sent to a Markham Fire & Emergency Services facilitator who contacts the adult guardian to arrange three educational sessions.