Canadian Fire Fighters Museum - Collection and Exhibits

Before the Time of Organized Fire Brigades

The alarm of fire was announced by the ringing of the church bell, or a runner (perhaps equipped with a large rattle), calling out the warning through the area.

It was common for residents to keep two fire buckets available in case of fire. In fact, most municipalities passed a by-law to enforce the practice. Responding to the alarm, neighbours would bring their buckets to draw water from the nearest cistern or well, and form a bucket brigade. Men would relay the full buckets, and usually the women and children passed the empty buckets back to the water source.

Frantic efforts would be made to save furniture and belongings, and to try to prevent fire from spreading.

Most building construction was of wood: fire losses were severe.

The Development of Municipal Fire Brigades

After a by-law was passed by the local council to form a fire brigade, a selection process placed senior officers, who in turn appointed interested, community minded citizens wanting to join the brigade. From the mid 1800's to the present, massive changes have taken place in the fire service in Canada.

Early municipal brigades were volunteer (in some cases there was a paid chief). Later, large departments went to full-time employment for all members. In smaller departments, the progression has been from volunteer, to part-time employment, then later to full-time employment. In many cases, the composite department is the transition step toward a full-time department