Close-up of a red fire truck with gold lettering reading “FIRE-RESCUE,” overlaid by a blue banner with the text “Funding for Fire Services: Municipal and Provincial Contributions.”

Funding supports local fire departments and volunteers in Victoria County 

Funding for fire services in Victoria County will go towards firefighter training and water supply systems for local stations.  

Lyle Donovan, Emergency Management/Fire Services Coordinator, told Councillors at their regular meeting in April that Victoria County received $25,210 from the province. This funding will be used to support Level 1 Firefighting Training for local volunteer firefighters.  

Mr. Donovan also gave an update on previously approved municipal funding ($10,000 in both 2026 and 2027) for dry fire hydrants. Dry hydrants use a reliable source of water like a lake, pond or stream when there is no access to a traditional fire hydrant. Hardware has been purchased for 4 dry hydrants and the remaining funding will be used to install dry hydrants at two local stations this year. 

Fire Service Stats in Victoria County 

Victoria County is currently served by 11 volunteer fire departments, with substations in place to provide coverage across larger geographic areas. There are also three dispatch services operating in the County:  

  • Cape Breton Regional Dispatch 
  • Canso Dispatch 
  • Shubenacadie Radio Communication Center (SRCC) 

The goal is to move toward one centralized dispatch system.

In 2025, fire departments responded to a total of 451 calls and of those 21% were medical related, highlighting the growing demand on volunteer fire services. The North Shore and District Volunteer Fire Department had 101 calls and of those 51 were medical related and the Ross Ferry Volunteer Fire Department responded to 28 calls and of those 22 were medical related.  

2025 Victoria County Fire Calls

Volunteer Fire Department  Number of dispatched calls in 2025 
Baddeck  89 
Bay St. Lawrence 22 
Big Bras d’Or 49 
Cabot  39 
Ingonish  13 
Ingonish Beach  21 
Iona  26 
Middle River 36 
Neils Harbour  27 
North Shore & District  101 
Ross Ferry  28 

Changes are coming to fire services in Nova Scotia

The province has introduced new legislation and is working to modernize how fire departments are supported, trained and coordinated.

These changes will guide how departments operate and work together across the province.  

Victoria County will continue to monitor developments and work with local departments to understand how these changes will impact the municipality’s role in:

  • supporting local fire departments and volunteers and  
  • ensuring residents continue to receive reliable emergency response. 

Residents can learn more about the province’s three-year implementation plan on their website: https://novascotia.ca/modernized-firefighter-training/ 

Related Links 

Graphic with a green background and the text “Fire Services Modernization in Nova Scotia.” In the lower left corner are illustrations of red firefighting equipment, including fire extinguishers, crossed fire axes, a fire hose reel, and a firefighter helmet.

Fire Services Modernization in Nova Scotia

The Province of Nova Scotia is moving forward with changes to strengthen fire services across the province, including new legislation, updated training and the creation of a provincial Fire Commissioner role.

In Nova Scotia, fire services are delivered locally, but these provincial updates will shape how departments are supported, trained and coordinated.

For municipalities like ours, this work relates to ongoing efforts to:

  • support local fire departments and volunteers
  • plan for sustainable service delivery
  • ensure residents continue to receive reliable emergency response

This is a multi-year process, and Victoria County will continue to monitor developments and work with local departments. We will share updates as more details become available.

Learn more from the Province of Nova Scotia: https://novascotia.ca/modernized-firefighter-training/

Links

An ambulance with flashing red and blue lights is shown in motion, slightly blurred to convey urgency. Below the image, a white text box with blue lettering asks: ‘Why do properly posted civic numbers matter?’ The background features a gradient of dark blue and red tones.

Why do properly posted civic numbers matter?

A clearly posted civic number is not just helpful, it’s a matter of safety 

Victoria County is reminding residents about the importance of clearly displaying civic address signs at their property. 

Emergency services depend on visible civic address signs to find the right location during an emergency. If your civic address is missing or hard to see, first responders may be delayed by minutes. 

Properly posted reflective signs make your home easier to locate at night or in poor weather. Emergency vehicles often rely on headlights to spot numbers from the road and if yours isn’t visible, responders may be forced to slow down, double back or call for clarification wasting valuable time. 

Vicotria County recommends the following checklist for all residents: 

  • Post your civic number at the entrance to your driveway, 
  • Ensure the number is visible from the road in all seasons, 
  • Use reflective numbers on signs for nighttime visibility, 
  • Regularly check that your sign is not blocked by snow, trees or decorations. 

Residents are also encouraged to speak with neighbours, friends and family members, especially seniors, about the importance of having a visible civic address sign. 

Having a clearly posted civic number is not just helpful. It’s a matter of safety. 

Civic address management in Victoria County

In Victoria County, civic addresses are assigned and maintained by the Eastern District Planning Commission (EDPC). If you are not sure of your civic address, contact their Civic Addressing Coordinator.  

Here are guidelines for posting your civic address:  

  • Civic numbers must be in Arabic numerals (12, not: XII or Twelve) 
  • Have at least 48 inches between the bottom of the numbers and the ground. 
  • The colour of the numbers must be reflective and clearly contrast the background. White numbers on a blue background work best. 

For more information about civic address signs contact: 
 
David MacKenzie 
Senior Building and Fire Inspector 
email: dmackenzie@edpc.ca 
Phone: 902-295-2900 

Civic address resources: 

An image of a home with a blue sign with white numbers at the end of the driveway and text reading "Does your home have a civic number sign?".

Does your home have a civic number sign? It could save your life. 

In an emergency, every second matters. The ability for first responders to quickly find your home is vital. Yet, there are some residences in Victoria County that still lack clearly visible civic number signs, creating potentially dangerous delays when emergency services are trying to respond. 

When fire, police or paramedics are dispatched, they rely on visible, accurate civic numbers to locate properties. If your number is missing, hard to read, blocked by trees or snow or not visible at night, responders may waste valuable time trying to find you. 

Clear, posted civic numbers is a simple but powerful step toward improving safety across Victoria County.  

Be seen. Be safe. 

Civic address management in Victoria County 

In Victoria County, civic addresses are assigned and maintained by the Eastern District Planning Commission (EDPC). If you are not sure of your civic address, contact their Civic Addressing Coordinator.  

Here are guidelines for posting your civic address:  

  • Civic numbers must be in Arabic numerals (12, not: XII or Twelve) 
  • Have at least 48 inches between the bottom of the numbers and the ground. 
  • The colour of the numbers must be reflective and clearly contrast the background. White numbers on a blue background work best. 

For more information about civic address signs contact: 
 
David MacKenzie 
Senior Building and Fire Inspector 
email: dmackenzie@edpc.ca 
Phone: 902-295-2900 

Civic address resources: 

Eastern District Planning Commission  

Posting your civic number (EDPC)  

Civic address: posting and sign suppliers (Province of Nova Scotia)  

The Municipality of Victoria County Civic Addressing By-Law  
 

Have you signed up for Victoria County’s Voyent Alert?

Registration is easy & free!

https://voyent-alert.com/community/#registration

By signing up for a phone call, text and/or email, you will receive notices about any municipal alerts. Registration is FREE.

Notifications will include:

  • Significant weather impacts to Victoria County
  • Changes to waste collection schedules (cancellation, delays)
  • Municipal closures at our facilities
  • Disruption in water service (only available for Victoria Water Utility customers in Little Narrows, Ingonish, Neil’s Harbour and Dingwall
  • Boil orders

How to Register:

Click here to register: https://voyent-alert.com/community/#registration
• SMS Text
• Voice to Landline
• Email
• Voyent Alert App

For more information: Voyent Alert Frequently Asked Questions

Volunteer Firefighters get new on-scene support

Lyle Donovan, Victoria County Emergency Management Coordinator stands beside the new Rehabilitation and Disaster Unit.

When a disaster or fire hits our communities, it’s our volunteer firefighters and emergency responders who risk their lives to protect our homes and properties. But who helps those brave responders to shelter and stay safe?

Thanks to a generous donation from an emergency medical services and software company, Victoria County Emergency Services will soon have the physical resources on-scene to help all emergency responders.

Rehab and Disaster Unit

The new Special Rehabilitation and Disaster Unit will be on the road in late spring, ready to provide back-up and support for volunteer firefighters on-site working in a disaster situation anywhere in Victoria County. It’s a unit where emergency responders can get a break from the action, replenish needed water and food, get out of the conditions for required rehabilitation and rest. If the responder needs medical help, their vitals can be checked to assist with treatment or more rest.

Excellent Shape

This unit was formerly an ambulance, a Ford F-350 used in the City of Hamilton Ontario. It had been originally purchased by “Interdev (ESO)”, a software company that sets up computer systems in fire apparatus and ambulances for computer mapping and incident reporting. The unit was located in Hamilton, and the company no longer needed it to display,  but there was still lots of life left in it. Through a mutual connection of one of ESO’s employees, they reached out to Victoria County to see if the unit could be donated here.

Apart from the costs to upgrade with oil change, new brakes, tires, battery, microwave and medical equipment, the vehicle only has 175,000 kilometres and is almost in brand-new condition. According to Lyle Donovan, Emergency Management Coordinator, after driving it back to Victoria County, he says it “runs like a dream!”

Donovan drove the unit from Hamilton back to Victoria County where it’s undergoing refurbishing at the moment. Once it’s ready to complete, the unit will be kept at the North Shore & District Firehall (outdoors) at 46177 Cabot Trail in Indian Brook for those who would like to see it. During colder months, the Iona Volunteer Fire Department offered up their location for storage indoors.

In early March, Donovan drove the donated ambulance from Ontario to Victoria County, stopping enroute for a photo.

Keeping Volunteer Firefighters Healthy

Emergency Services plans on installing a Cascade System in this unit to also assist the fire departments with filling their air bottles on the Breathing Apparatus. The Cascade System has been donated from a department in Prince Edward Island (West Point Volunteer Fire Department).

Victoria County would like to thank Brent Townsend (from ESO) for making the connection for the former ambulance as well as Kory MacAusland (from Canadian Bomberos) for the connection with the donation of the Cascade System.

By networking and support, Donovan says everyone benefits.

“Protecting volunteer firefighters to keep them healthy helps our County give back to them,” he says. “These are the same people who put their lives on the line for their communities.”

Inside the Unit, emergency personnel can receive on-site support if needed.

Emergency Management Coordinator/Fire Services Coordinator

Lyle Donovan

Emergency Management Coordinator/Fire Services Coordinator

Phone: 902-578-1994

Introducing Victoria County’s new ALERT system

Details Published: Thursday, 03 September 2020 14:07

Introducing Victoria County’s new ALERT system

In times of crisis it is important that residents have access to trusted, timely and accurate information to ensure their own safety and that of their family and loved ones.

In response to this need, Victoria County has chosen Voyent Alert! as the communication service provider for these kinds of events.
Voyent Alert! is a multi-purpose communication service used to send alerts to residents, businesses, and visitors during critical events like extreme weather, fires or floods, etc.

How to Register:
Registration for the service is FREE, simple and totally anonymous. There are 4 ways to receive alerts:
• SMS Text
• Voice to Landline
• Email
• Voyent Alert App

Click here to register: https://voyent-alert.com/community/?page_id=217

Mobile App Users: Download and install the Voyent Alert! app from the Apple or Google Play app stores.

For more information: Voyent Alert Frequently Asked Questions