Community Risk Assessment & Fire Master Plans

Fire Protection Planning for Communities

A Fire Master Plan (FMP) and Community Risk Assessment (CRA) work together to form the foundation of effective, evidence-based fire protection planning in Ontario. The CRA provides a detailed understanding of the community’s unique risks — including its demographics, geography, building stock, and historical emergency data — while the Fire Master Plan translates those insights into practical strategies for prevention, response, staffing, and resource allocation. Together, they ensure municipalities meet their legislative obligations under the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997 (FPPA) and Ontario Regulation 378/18 while building systems that are transparent, defensible, and sustainable.

At 308 Consulting, we design Fire Master Plans and Community Risk Assessments that combine quantitative data with operational insight. Each plan provides municipal leaders with clear, measurable recommendations aligned with provincial standards and local priorities. Our goal is to help communities strengthen public safety, enhance service efficiency, and plan confidently for the future through strategic, evidence-driven fire protection planning

Community Risk Assessments

308 Consulting specializes in Community Risk Assessments (CRAs) for municipalities across Ontario. Our experienced team supports Fire Chiefs, municipal leaders, and emergency services in meeting the requirements of Ontario Regulation 378/18 while developing actionable, evidence-based fire protection strategies. A Community Risk Assessment (CRA) is the foundation of evidence-based fire protection planning in Ontario. Under Ontario Regulation 378/18, the CRA provides municipalities with a structured understanding of the unique risks in their communities and how those risks influence fire protection services. At 308 Consulting, we approach the CRA not as a checklist exercise, but as a strategic tool for decision-making and resource optimization. Our team combines operational insight with advanced data analysis to identify and evaluate key community risks, from demographics and building stock to occupancy types, road networks, and historical incident trends. We analyze how these factors intersect to shape local fire risk, service demand, and response performance. Using both quantitative data and qualitative input from fire service leadership, we develop a detailed risk profile that aligns with the municipality’s size, geography, and growth patterns. The outcome is a clear, actionable assessment that does more than meet regulatory compliance; it guides planning, budgeting, and public safety strategies. Each 308 Consulting CRA is designed to integrate seamlessly with a municipality’s Fire Master Plan, forming a unified framework for continuous improvement. We emphasize transparency and sustainability, ensuring every assessment can be easily updated as conditions, populations, or hazards evolve. By translating complex data into practical recommendations, our CRAs empower municipalities to make informed, defensible decisions that protect both residents and responders. The result is a living document that supports accountability, strengthens public trust, and helps local governments deliver the right service, at the right time, for the right reasons.

Fire Master Plans

A Fire Master Plan (FMP) is a municipality’s strategic roadmap for delivering effective and sustainable fire protection services. In Ontario, every community is required under the Fire Protection and Prevention Act (FPPA) to provide an adequate level of fire protection based on local needs and circumstances. At 308 Consulting, we help municipalities develop Fire Master Plans that go beyond compliance, providing data-driven, actionable strategies to improve performance, efficiency, and community safety. Our Fire Master Plans are built on a foundation of evidence, operational understanding, and local context. We begin with a comprehensive review of your existing fire protection model, including staffing, station distribution, apparatus, call volumes, training, prevention programs, and public education initiatives. Using a blend of quantitative data analysis and stakeholder engagement, we identify opportunities to optimize service delivery while maintaining fiscal responsibility. Each plan includes detailed recommendations aligned with provincial legislation, NFPA standards, and recognized best practices. We assess response times, coverage models, and risk distribution to ensure that service levels reflect both current and projected community needs. This process provides decision-makers with clear, defensible information to guide budgeting, capital planning, and organizational development. A 308 Consulting Fire Master Plan is designed as a living document; one that evolves alongside your municipality. We provide practical implementation strategies, performance metrics, and timelines to monitor and report progress transparently to Council and the community. Our goal is to ensure your fire service remains proactive, adaptable, and aligned with emerging risks and growth patterns. Through a combination of technical expertise and on-the-ground experience, we help municipalities translate complex operational realities into clear strategic direction. The result is a forward-looking plan that strengthens accountability, enhances safety, and supports long-term sustainability across the entire fire protection system.

Working Together: Benefits of CRA and FMP

The Community Risk Assessment (CRA) and Fire Master Plan (FMP) are companion documents that form the foundation of effective fire protection planning in Ontario. While each serves a distinct purpose, their true strength lies in how they inform and reinforce one another to create a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to public safety. The CRA identifies and analyzes the unique risks within a community, its demographics, geography, building stock, occupancy types, and historical emergency data. This assessment provides a clear picture of what risks exist, where they are concentrated, and how they may evolve. By understanding these factors, municipalities gain the data and insight required to make informed, defensible decisions about service levels, prevention strategies, and resource allocation. The Fire Master Plan then translates the CRA's findings into strategy and action. It defines how the municipality will address identified risks through prevention, education, enforcement, emergency response, and organizational development. The FMP builds on the CRA’s risk profile to recommend the most effective mix of staffing, stations, apparatus, training, and programs, ensuring fire protection services are right-sized for the community they serve. Together, the CRA and FMP provide a continuous improvement framework for municipal fire services. The CRA establishes the evidence; the FMP applies that evidence through measurable goals, performance indicators, and implementation plans. This integrated process allows fire departments and Councils to demonstrate due diligence, maintain compliance with the Fire Protection and Prevention Act (FPPA) and O. Reg. 378/18, and ensure that fire protection evolves alongside community growth and change. By aligning these two processes, municipalities create a transparent and defensible planning model — one that prioritizes safety, accountability, and long-term sustainability. At 308 Consulting, we ensure your CRA and Fire Master Plan are fully integrated so your community’s risks, resources, and strategies remain connected in one unified vision for fire protection.

Key Provincial & Legislative References

Effective fire protection planning in Ontario relies on a clear understanding of the legislation and standards that guide municipal fire services. The following provincial and national resources provide the framework that shapes every Fire Master Plan (FMP) and Community Risk Assessment (CRA) we develop at 308 Consulting.

Get Expert Support Today

Send our team an email to learn how we can support your business. 

Send Us an Email
Share or Print the Information