Right here stands Toronto Fire Station 111 EMS Station 20. It is more than just a building. It’s a place of courage. It is a place of compassion. It is a place of service.
Toronto Fire Station 111 EMS Station 20 stands as a testament to the city’s commitment. It commits to protecting its residents. Toronto Fire Services began in 1874. Before that, volunteer companies provided fire services. These volunteers operated pumps. They drew water from the lake.
The Great Toronto Fire of 1849 highlighted the city’s poor fire services. The Great Fire of Toronto in 1904 did too. After the 1904 fire, the Toronto Fire Department became critical. It evolved into the full-time service we know today.
In 1998, the Toronto Fire Services was created. It merged the fire departments of six areas. These included the original City of Toronto. They also included East York, Etobicoke, North York, Scarborough and York. Toronto Fire Services became Canada’s largest fire department. It became the 5th largest in North America.
Toronto Fire Station 111 EMS Station 20 is part of North Command. North Command’s office is at Fire Station 114. Toronto Fire Station 111 EMS Station 20 houses Pumper 111 and Air/Light Unit 111.
Toronto Fire Services uses an alpha-numeric callsign system. The prefix identifies the apparatus type. The numbers identify the station. The first digit indicates the division or command. The second identifies the district. The last digit identifies the station within the district and command.
Toronto Firefighters use various equipment. This includes Innotex bunker gear. They also use Cairns 660C Metro composite fire helmets. They use Drager UCF 7000 thermal imaging cameras. They use Globe Supreme 14 fire boots and MSA G1 self-contained breathing apparatus.
Toronto Fire Department started using motorized vehicles after 1911. Before that, they used horse-drawn engines. The Toronto Fire Services has operated fire boats since 1923.
The Box 12 Association is Toronto’s oldest fire canteen unit. It serves firefighters in the west end and downtown. Support 7 is another canteen truck run by volunteers. They provide food and drinks at large emergencies.
Toronto Fire Services manages the heavy urban search and rescue team. They also manage the chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives response team.
Toronto Fire Station 111 EMS Station 20 plays a vital role. It helps protect the community. It stands ready to respond to emergencies. It embodies courage, compassion and service. It shows the dedication of Toronto’s firefighters. They stand ready to protect us all.