County of Brant informed residents of temporary operational changes to fire services in Paris on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
The operational changes were made to ensure continued response efficiency during the Downtown Dig construction project.
“We are committed to maintaining the highest level of emergency service for our residents,” said Darren Watson, Fire Chief for the County of Brant. “These operational changes ensure that, despite construction impacts, our teams can respond quickly and effectively whenever and wherever they are needed.”
Effective Wednesday, April 8, 2026, adjustments will be implemented at Station 1 (Paris) to maintain service levels and support future planning for the Paris North Fire Station.
Key updates include:
- Geographic Response Zones
Fire response coverage will be reorganized into two areas: Paris North and Paris South. This approach will help improve response times by positioning emergency resources on both sides of the downtown construction zone, where traffic disruptions and road restrictions are expected. - Updated Response Model
The current platoon response model will transition to a geographic-based deployment system. This change aligns with long-term planning and the anticipated opening of the Paris North Station in April 2027. - Temporary Apparatus Relocation
Two fire emergency vehicles will be temporarily relocated to the Paris Fairgrounds. This will allow emergency crews to better navigate around construction-related congestion in the downtown core.
County staff will continue to monitor these changes and make adjustments as needed to ensure reliable emergency response services.
We would also like to remind residents about green flashing lights. The County of Brant Fire Service is a dedicated volunteer fire service, and many of our firefighters respond to emergencies from their homes or workplaces. To help them reach their stations quickly, volunteers are equipped with green flashing lights for use in their personal vehicles.
“When you see a green flashing light, it indicates a firefighter is on their way to an emergency,” said Fire Chief Watson. “We encourage all residents to remain alert and safely pull over to allow these vehicles to pass. Your cooperation helps firefighters reach the station faster because every second counts when responding to an emergency.”
