For centres and agencies · 6 min

Fire drills, emergency procedures and the records to keep

The short answer

A centre holds a fire drill every month (some centres in schools drill by school term instead) and keeps a record of every drill and every fire alarm or equipment test for at least 12 months. The fire procedure is approved by the local fire chief, taught to each staff member before their first shift and posted in every room children use. Other emergencies have their own written policies, and from January 1, 2027 centres add a missing-child drill every three months.

Checked against e-Laws on Oct 23, 2026. Section numbers are O. Reg. 137/15 unless another instrument is named.

A child care centre holds a fire drill at least once a month, in accordance with the Ontario Fire Code (a centre, or part of one, in a school that serves only pupils of a school board holds total evacuation drills by school term instead), and keeps a written record of every drill and every test of the fire alarm or fire protection equipment for at least 12 months (s. 68). The fire procedure is approved by the local fire chief, taught to each staff member before their first shift and posted in every room used for children. Separate written emergency management policies cover other emergencies (s. 68.1), and from January 1, 2027 centres also run a missing-child drill every three months (s. 68.2).

Fire safety (s. 68)

A written procedure approved by the local fire chief sets out each staff member’s duties in a fire.
Each staff member is instructed in their responsibilities before starting work for the first time.
The procedure is posted in a conspicuous place in every room used for the care of children.
Drills are held in accordance with s. 68(2): at least once a month for most centres, under O. Reg. 213/07 (the Fire Code).
A written record is kept of all fire drills and of all tests of the fire alarm system and fire protection equipment, each for at least 12 months from the date.
There is a designated place of shelter if the centre has to be evacuated.

Centres operated in a school for pupils of the school board follow a different pattern: a total evacuation drill at least three times in each fall and spring term the school is open, and in the summer term three times or once a month, whichever is less.

The drill record is what an inspector usually reads. A good one has the date and time, who led it, how many children and staff took part, how long the evacuation took and anything that went wrong. A missing month is visible at a glance, which is the point of keeping the log where the next drill will be recorded.

Emergency management (s. 68.1)

Each centre needs written policies and procedures for managing emergencies that set out staff roles; additional support for any child or adult who needs it, including special medical needs; a safe off-site meeting place; how children’s safety and supervision are maintained; communication with parents; contacting local emergency agencies; and recovery, including debriefing staff, children and parents, resuming normal operations and supporting anyone distressed. A centre in a school may adopt the school’s plan if it covers the same matters. The regulation does not set a frequency for emergency drills other than fire drills (and, from January 1, 2027, missing-child drills, s. 68.2(3)); the Licensing Manual (Part 10.3) sets none either, so the policy itself decides how often each scenario is practised.

In home child care (ss. 67 to 70)

For each home where it oversees care, the agency ensures a written procedure for evacuation in the event of fire (s. 68(3)); telephone service or another way to obtain emergency assistance (s. 67); an up-to-date list, accessible in an emergency, with the agency’s contact information and, where the home has no 9-1-1 service, emergency services and the nearest poison control centre (s. 69); and each parent’s telephone number, a person to call if a parent cannot be reached and any special medical information a parent gave, up to date and readily accessible to the provider (s. 70). The monthly drill and its 12-month record (s. 68(1) and (2)) are written for centres.

Missing-child drills from 2027 (s. 68.2)

From January 1, 2027, centres and agencies need a written missing-child policy, and centres hold a missing-child drill at least once every three months with a record kept for 12 months. The 2027 guide has the detail.

Sources

O. Reg. 137/15 as consolidated on e-Laws (consolidation from July 1, 2026; last amendment O. Reg. 197/26). This guide explains the regulation in plain words; it is not legal advice, and the Ministry’s program advisors decide compliance.