When a security guard in Ontario suspects a fire, the first step is to call emergency services immediately.

In a busy building, a security guard is more than a gatekeeper. When the lights flicker and smoke curls from a corridor, you’re suddenly a frontline multiplier—your actions can buy precious seconds for everyone inside. So, what should you do the moment you suspect a fire? The answer is surprisingly simple: call emergency services immediately. Then follow the building’s fire plan, stay calm, and coordinate with others. Let me walk you through it in a practical, Ontario-friendly way.

First move: Call emergency services right away

Here’s the thing: the moment you suspect a fire, the clock starts ticking. Don’t pause to confirm the situation by poking around the source. Don’t try to locate the exact flame or carry out a door-to-door search. Your job is to get professional help rolling as fast as possible.

• Grab a moment to collect key facts, then dial 911 (or your local emergency number forOntario). State clearly:

• The building address and city (Ontario context), plus any nearby landmarks that help responders find you quickly.

• The location within the building (floor number, wing, stairwell) and whether you can smell smoke, see flames, or hear unusual cracking sounds.

• Any hazards you’re aware of (gas lines, heavy machinery, electrical equipment, occupants with mobility issues).

• Whether you know of anyone trapped, or if occupants are already evacuating.

• Speak in concise lines and keep to the point. Dispatchers use what you tell them to guide responders, so accuracy beats drama here.

While you’re on the line, remember: you can be brief, but you should be thorough. The dispatcher may ask you to repeat details or to confirm your location via a nearby entrance or security desk. Do not hang up until they say you can, or until you’ve given all the essential information.

Then evacuate, if it’s safe to do so

After you’ve notified emergency services, the next step is to start safeguarding occupants. The exact order of actions depends on your building’s Fire Safety Plan, but a core rule holds steady: evacuate after you’ve alerted the authorities. This isn’t about leaving people behind; it’s about ensuring a rapid response before a crowd floods a stairwell or a corridor.

• If you can do so safely, announce the alarm. Use the building’s public-address system or voice announcements to tell people to evacuate calmly, to use stairs—not elevators—and to head to the designated muster points.

• Direct occupants away from the suspected fire, toward the closest safe exit. If smoke is heavy on one path, guide people toward an alternative route that you know is clear.

• Help those who need assistance. People with mobility challenges, visitors, or workers unfamiliar with the layout may need a little extra guidance. Your goal isn’t to choreograph a perfect drill; it’s to move people out safely as you wait for firefighters.

• Do not re-enter the space. The moment you’ve alerted authorities and begun evacuation, stay outside or in a safe, designated area. Reentering can put you at risk and delay relief for others.

Do not investigate or poke around the source

This is the area where habits can trip you up if you’re not careful. It’s natural to want to locate the source of the problem, or to try to confirm that the fire is real. But investigations belong to trained firefighters and the fire department. Attempting to “find the fire” during an active incident wastes seconds and can get you hurt.

• If you see suspicious heat, flames, or smoke, don’t engage with it directly. Keep eyes on the exit routes, protect yourself, and keep others moving to safety.

• If a doorway blocks your path, don’t force it. Use an alternate exit or wait for instructions from the dispatcher or the incident commander on site.

What to say and what to report to the dispatcher

Clear communication saves lives. When you call 911, you are the bridge between the scene and the responders.

• Give your exact location: the building address, floor, and nearest stairwell or exit.

• Describe what you’ve observed: smoke density, flame presence, any unusual odors, heat or light signs.

• Mention occupants who might be in trouble and any hazards you’re aware of.

• If there’s a fire alarm already going off, say so. If the alarm is silent, tell the dispatcher about that too, so they know the scope of the alert.

After the initial call: follow the Fire Safety Plan and coordinate

Ontario buildings often rely on Fire Safety Plans, Fire Wardens, and a defined chain of command. Once you’ve summoned emergency services, you’ll switch into a coordination mode—making sure people evacuate, doors close to isolate the area if available, and that evac routes stay clear.

• Activate the building’s fire alarm system if it hasn’t already been triggered by the occupants or the alarm panel. Your plan should specify who is authorized to do this and when.

• Notify your supervisor or the person in charge on site. They’ll help you manage occupants, perform roll calls if it’s safe to do so, and interface with fire crews on arrival.

• Direct people to muster points. Keep the group quiet and orderly so you can account for everyone once the firefighters arrive.

• If you know the layout well, you can help responders by providing a rough headcount and noting where groups were last seen. Do this only if you can do so without putting yourself at risk.

Ontario context: codes, plans, and staying prepared

Ontario has stringent fire safety requirements designed to protect people in multi-occupancy spaces, workplaces, and public buildings. While you’re not a firefighter, you’re a critical first link in the safety chain.

• Fire Safety Plan: This is a living document that lays out exits, evacuation routes, muster points, and responsibilities. Your role is to execute the plan, adapt to real-time conditions, and coordinate with responders.

• Fire Code awareness: A basic grasp helps you recognize when containment or alarm systems should be engaged and when to escalate your response.

• Training and drills: Regular drills help you respond with calm. The real-world payoff is measured in seconds saved and lives protected when a real alarm goes off.

Real-world dynamics: staying calm under pressure

If you’ve ever watched a hero in a movie staying cool under pressure, you’ve seen a version of what you’re doing in the real world. It’s not about fearless bravado; it’s about precise, practical action.

• Breathe, then act. A few measured breaths helps you think clearly and avoid snapping into a panic.

• Use checklists. A short, mental checklist—911, evacuate, report, coordinate—keeps you from forgetting a step.

• Don’t overthink the moment. You don’t need to be perfect; you need to be effective. The responders will handle the extinguishment and rescue, you ensure people get out safely.

The value of training and drills

Even with all the best intentions, a single misstep can complicate an emergency. Regular training isn’t about memorizing a script; it’s about building muscle memory for real life.

• Practice the route. Know multiple exits and the fastest way to the muster point, even if you’re in a new part of the building.

• Simulate communication. Practice what you’ll say when you call 911 and how you’ll relay information to your team.

• Run through variations. Fires don’t read a manual. Practice with smoke, rain, or a blocked corridor in mind so you’re ready for surprises.

A few practical takeaways to carry into every shift

• Your first action is to call emergency services. Do it quickly and clearly.

• Evacuate only after the authorities are alerted, and follow the Fire Safety Plan to guide people out.

• Do not search for the source of the fire. Leave that to the professionals.

• Keep people moving and calm. Use the stairs, direct them away from danger, and head to the designated safe area.

• Communicate what you know succinctly to the dispatcher and the incident command team on site.

Closing thoughts: your role as a safety lifeline

Think of yourself as the bridge between a growing threat and the arrival of trained responders. In those moments, the right call can be the difference between a controlled incident and a catastrophe. It all comes down to staying composed, adhering to established protocols, and acting with purpose.

And here’s a small truth that helps: you don’t need magical instincts to perform this well. You need training, a clear plan, and the confidence that comes from practice. When you’ve run through the steps—call, evacuate after you’ve called, avoid investigations, and coordinate with responders—you’re not just meeting expectations. You’re protecting lives, property, and the people who rely on you every day.

If you’re working security in Ontario, you’ll encounter a familiar mix of codes, plans, and human factors. Treat every alarm as a real event, learn the building inside and out, and keep your communication crisp and calm. The moment you act decisively, you give others the chance to move to safety and let the professionals do what they’re trained to do.

So, the next time you sense something’s not right, remember the sequence: call first, then guide people to safety, and leave the firefighting to the pros. It’s a straightforward rhythm, but in an emergency, it’s a rhythm that saves time, protects people, and preserves calm when fear would otherwise take over. You’ve got this.