Why Are Fire Routes Called Fire Routes?

A question we still get asked is this- Why are fire routes called fire routes:

A few years ago my 10-year-old asked me that very question and despite being in the industry for well over a decade, I did not have the answer. Then a 15-year vet in Real Estate and 19-year vet on fire departments, and Dad of 12 years you would think I would know the answer to this question, but I did not! The stumping question was “Why do they call roads in the country Fire Routes?”

Here is what my research found. Fire Routes are private roads in municipalities that serve as access to properties. These roads also provide fire and other emergency services access to private property in case of emergency.

Under Section 7.1 of the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, Chapter 4 authorizes the Council to pass bylaws on these private roads. The designation of the fire route gives fire officials the right to issue orders to the property owners. Orders would typically be no parking of vehicles permitted, shall be maintained free of obstructions like brush clean up for equipment access and to designate all expenses are to the property owner.

Fire routes are also laid out by the municipality to be in order and make properties easy to find!  It is important to keep your fire route maintained and easily accessible for all types of emergency services and their vehicles.  It is also good practice to keep your 911 number easily visible so there are no delays in the event of an emergency.

So in summary, Fire Routes are private roads that municipalities have some control over through the Fire Protection and Prevention ACT.

The Brad Sinclair Team

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