Supporting the Services That Keep Us Safe
Fire Protection
The Lanark Highlands Fire Service (LHFS) plays a critical role in protecting residents, properties, and communities across the Township.
Led by a full-time Fire Chief and supported by approximately 70 highly trained volunteer firefighters, the LHFS currently operates from stations located in:
Lanark Village
Middleville
McDonalds Corners
Tatlock
Their mission is simple:
"To provide the best emergency response possible to Township residents."
A Growing Challenge for Rural Fire Protection
Due to budgetary constraints, the Township is moving to close Tatlock Station. This comes after 3 other Stations/Sub-Stations have been closed since 2019 in Lanark Highlands. As you can see from the map below, all of the closures have been in the northern half of theTownship. This not only impacts response times and resident safety, it also has a direct financial burden on residents.
Click on image to enlarge.
Why Distance Matters
The Dwelling Protection Grade measures the level of fire protection available to residential properties and is rated on a scale from 1 to 5.
Grade 1
Represents the highest level of protection, typically with strong staffing and reliable water supply.
Grade 5
Indicates limited or no recognized fire protection, often due to distance from a fire station or lack of nearby water sources.
Lower levels of protection can result in significantly higher insurance premiums.
In some cases, insurance rates in unprotected areas may be 15–50% higher than in protected areas.
Understanding the Dwelling Protection Grade (DPG)
The Fire Underwriters Survey (FUS) establishes standards used by insurance companies to assess the level of fire protection available to residential and commercial properties.
Current guidelines recognize:
8 kilometres by road for residential properties
5 kilometres by road for commercial properties
These standards are used within the Dwelling Protection Grade (DPG) system, which helps determine homeowner insurance premiums.
The Impact on Wards 1 and 2
Protected Buildings by Ward
Current analysis shows that only approximately 15 buildings out of more than 2,300 buildings in Wards 1 and 2 fall within the recognized protection area. This creates an uneven burden on residents in the northern part of the Township, affecting both emergency response coverage and insurance costs.
Frank believes residents throughout Lanark Highlands deserve fair and balanced access to essential emergency services.
Click on image to enlarge.
Paramedic Services
Paramedic services for Lanark Highlands are provided through Lanark County Paramedic Services (LCPS), operated by the Almonte General Hospital.
The service currently operates five bases throughout the County:
Smiths Falls
Carleton Place
Almonte
Perth
Lanark Village
These bases work together to provide emergency medical response across a large and geographically diverse region.
Serving a Large Rural County
The map below illustrates approximate response coverage throughout Lanark County.
Areas shown in green represent locations that are approximately within a 10-minute response time of a paramedic base.
Areas shown in pink represent locations where response times may approach thirty minutes.
As the map illustrates, much of Lanark Highlands falls within these longer response areas, highlighting the unique challenges faced by residents living in remote and rural communities.
Understanding Response Times
According to the Ontario Government Data Catalogue (2023), Lanark County has:
Population: 75,625
Land Area: 3,034 km²
Population Density: 24.9 people per km²
Average Response Time: 10.5 minutes
Providing timely emergency medical care across such a large rural area presents unique challenges and requires thoughtful planning and strong partnerships.
Click on image to enlarge.
Supporting Innovative Community Programs
Frank believes emergency care extends beyond ambulances and response times. Community-based programs can play an important role in improving health outcomes and supporting residents closer to home.
He strongly supports:
Community Paramedicine Programs
Programs that provide proactive healthcare services, wellness checks, and support for residents in their homes, helping seniors remain independent and reducing unnecessary hospital visits.
"Neighbours Saving Neighbours"
Community-led initiatives that equip residents with life-saving knowledge and skills while strengthening local resilience during emergencies.
Community Health Clinics and Education
Supporting partnerships and programs that bring health services and preventative care closer to residents, including initiatives such as:
Highlands North Network programs
Heart Valve Screening Clinics
Community education opportunities
Wellness and preventative health services
Looking Ahead
Providing emergency medical services across a large rural municipality requires innovation, collaboration, and strong community partnerships.
Frank believes Lanark Highlands should continue supporting programs that improve access to care, strengthen emergency preparedness, and help residents remain healthy and independent.
Strong emergency services and community partnerships help ensure residents receive the care and support they need, no matter where they live.
Connect
Questions? Comments? Reach out anytime.
© 2026. All rights reserved.
A special thanks to Stationhouse Studio, a local Lanark Highlands small business, for creating this website and providing local photography.
Phone
613-879-3622