In the heart of a small Ontario community, Fire Chief Todd McKone and his team at Aylmer Fire Department embody the essence of service, innovation, and education. Their work extends well beyond responding to emergencies. It’s about preventing them, empowering residents, and strengthening the bonds that hold the community together.
Rooted In Legacy And Purpose
For McKone, firefighting is a family tradition, a calling that runs deep. “My brother was a firefighter for 15 years, another a captain for 20; my nephews and my daughter-in-law are involved, as well as my son,” he shared. Growing up surrounded by those committed to protecting others, he found his own path early on. “I had a natural interest,” he recalled. “I remember in high school interviewing a fire chief for a class project. It just made sense that I continue helping people and move my way up from there.”
Sparking Awareness
Education remains at the core of McKone’s philosophy, particularly in small communities where the mindset often is, It’s never going to happen here. Inspired by a few close calls that could have resulted in tragedies, McKone spearheaded a powerful initiative called The Wake-Up Call.
“The Wake-Up Call is a video where we follow a typical family through a typical day . . . they retire back to their home when the CO alarm activates and the fire department responds,” he explained. “We really didn’t want to scare people, but we wanted to make it an attention-getter, that this is a problem that may exist in your home. Make sure you protect your family like this family did.”
The film closes with a poignant reminder: “How long ago did you check your CO alarm? You could just save your family’s lives.”
McKone described the project as an exercise in creativity and resourcefulness: “Being a small rural fire department, we don’t have huge city budgets. Sometimes you have the vision, but you can’t always bring it to life due to financial constraints. I think it shows that little fire departments can do great things.” The initiative earned recognition across Ontario, highlighting how innovation and heart can make a lasting impact even with limited means.
Teamwork: The Foundation Of Every Victory
At Aylmer Fire Department, teamwork is not a slogan; it’s survival. “We rely on each other for our lives,” said McKone. “We train together, fight fires together, and even spend some of our spare time together.” With the entire team composed of fully certified firefighters and a town council that invests in state-of-the-art Metalfab equipment, Aylmer Fire operates as a model of unity and professionalism. Each firefighter understands the importance of both physical and mental support, a crucial element in high-stress calls.
Preventing Farm Fires
McKone’s influence also extends to agricultural safety through his work with Ontario farm prevention projects. In one particularly moving collaboration, he partnered with the Ministries of Agriculture, Food & Agribusiness & Rural Affairs to produce an educational piece titled Farm Fire Safety, Markvale Holsteins.
“The farmer knows the layout of his property, if there are manure tanks, storage facilities of chemicals, or shut-offs,” McKone explained. “Pre-planning events on a farm fire is paramount. It’s like practicing a fire without actually having the fire.”
By promoting tools like thermal imaging, departments can detect potential hotspots during peak operation times, a simple yet life-saving measure. Farmer Clarence Markus, who experienced a devastating fire, shared that the lessons learned changed his approach permanently. “The electrician comes once a year now, goes through everything, and checks it all over,” he said.
McKone’s proactive stance builds trust between farmers and responders, ensuring firefighters know the terrain and residents know how to prepare. It’s a model of partnership that preserves livelihoods and safety in Ontario’s agricultural heartland.
Sustaining The Heroes
Recognizing the emotional toll of emergency response, Aylmer’s department prioritizes mental wellness. “We do training with Resilient Minds and, most recently, received a grant for further mental health training. And anytime there’s a bad call, we make sure professional support is just a phone call away,” said McKone. Years of seasoned leadership at every level, from their captains to their acting captain to a rock-solid deputy chief, help ensure that support and understanding are constants within the department. The town council’s commitment further reinforces an environment where no one bears the weight of trauma alone.
What Makes Aylmer Stand Out
When asked what sets Aylmer Fire apart, McKone didn’t hesitate: “We have a lot of pride. It starts with what I call pride of ownership. It begins with our beautiful station and carries through to our equipment, our training, and our community.”
With innovative apparatus designs, like front-bumper cross lays that eliminate the need for firefighters to climb atop the trucks, safety and efficiency go hand in hand. “You make it easy for them, and they’ll do it right,” he added. “Our job is getting them here, giving them the tools to do the job safely, and sending them home to their families.”
Community Connection
Among the programs closest to McKone’s heart is the PAL Program (Program for Aylmer Residents with Limitations), a safety initiative for Aylmer’s seniors and mobility-challenged residents. “It allows Aylmer residents to check and maintain their smoke alarms at no cost,” McKone noted. “It’s our duty to take care of our most vulnerable.” The program continues to grow annually, fostering meaningful relationships between firefighters and citizens.
Advice For The Next Generation
McKone’s advice to aspiring firefighters combines humility with pride: “Welcome to the best job in the world. Listen to your senior officers, respect them, and keep in mind that your responsibility is to the community, not just the station. Wash the truck—it’s not yours, it’s theirs.”
From small-town innovation to province-wide leadership, Todd McKone proves that size doesn’t limit significance. Through education, prevention, and compassion, the Aylmer Fire Department stands not only as protectors but as teachers, reminding everyone that safety begins long before the alarm sounds.
