Winnipeg firefighters visit neighbourhoods after fires to install free smoke alarms

Group of people walking down a residential street wearing Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service clothing.
After a structure fire happens on a street, Winnipeg firefighters visit homes in the area.

If a home on your street recently was on fire, you may see Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) crews on your street again. In the days after the fire, they may be going door-to-door to discuss fire safety and install smoke alarms. This is part of WFPS’ After the Fire initiative.

“Fire safety is usually top-of-mind immediately after a fire,” said Lisa Gilmour, WFPS Assistant Chief of Community Risk Reduction,

While we want to prevent fires in the first place, after a fire is a key time to have safety discussions.

If you don’t have a working smoke alarm on every floor, firefighters can install one for free on the spot. This is done through the Smoke Alarm for Every (SAFE) Family program.

“Smoke alarms save lives by giving you time to escape a burning building,” said Doug Sinclair, WFPS Public Education Coordinator.  “You may not see or hear a fire in your home so it’s important to have a working smoke alarm to alert you and your family.”

The After the Fire initiative is your chance to ask firefighters questions and make sure you know what to do if a fire happens in your home or neighbourhood.

Firefighters can give you safety information and answer any questions you have.
The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service Public Education team visits neighbourhoods after a fire to talk about fire safety.

“We want you to have a home escape plan and to practice it often with everyone your household,” said Sinclair.

This year, firefighters visited more than 1,500 homes from the end of May to the end of July. They spoke to more than 400 residents and installed 77 smoke alarms.

We want to make it easy for you to spot our After the Fire program firefighters if they are on your doorstep. They will always be in WFPS clothing with a City of Winnipeg identification badge visible. They will only come between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. during the spring and summer months.

Installing a smoke alarm is free and the crews can do it on the spot or book an appointment for another day. Just make sure you maintain and test your smoke alarm regularly.

You can contact 311 to find out more about how you can request a free smoke alarm in your home.

Our City, Our Podcast

Sinclair discusses the After the Fire program, as well as other fire prevention initiatives and tips, on Our City, Our Podcast. This episode was released in October, 2025.

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