Lethbridge Fire Department fonds
https://collections.galtmuseum.com/en/permalink/descriptions92647
- Date Range
- 1978-2011
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Accession No.
- 20181062
- Physical Description
- Over 500 photographs, 0.8 m of textual records
- Scope and Content
- 001: Chief for a Day 20 Photos (1987) 002: 76 photos 44 Negatives of safety programs, awards, flipped semi, and training exercise (1996-1997) 003: 284 photos of awards, training exercise, family day, and unidentified people (1978-1999) 004: 1993-1995 Newspaper clippings 005: 1995-1997 Newspaper cli…
- Date Range
- 1978-2011
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Creator
- Lethbridge Fire Department
- Physical Description
- Over 500 photographs, 0.8 m of textual records
- History / Biographical
- The Lethbridge Fire Department began in the town of Lethbridge in 1885 with the Bucket Brigade. There were several factors for this. The buildings were chiefly wood, rainfall in the area was low and the westerly winds were prevalent in the region. One factor to deter fires were the 100 foot wide streets. The first organized fire protection was provided by the NWMP in 1886. In 1887 a volunteer hook and ladder company was formed with W. D. Whitney as chief, A. J. Scot, first assistant chief, E. J. Hoddert, second assistant chief. J. D. Higinbotham was secretary-treasurer. When Lethbridge was incorporated as a town in 1891, the new town council had fire protection as their first order of business. In that same year a Volunteer Fire Brigade with William Colpman as chief was formed. In subsequent years other Fire Brigades were organized each with their own chief, assistant chiefs and members. The fire brigade was reorganized in 1902 and those elected became paid members. By 1909 a professional fire department was created. The men were on duty 24 hours per day seven days per week. Minute Books were introduced by Chief Kilkenny in 1909 listing the duty officer, persons on leave, exact time of fire calls and action taken, changes in location of men and equipment. Uniforms were introduced in 1909 and in 1912 the first Firemen's Association Contest between towns took place. In 1912, the Fire Department also began the combined model of fire suppression and emergency medical services. As the town grew incorporation was once again realized. In 1906 Lethbridge became a city. The population grew in three directions, north south and east and more fire stations were built to service the areas. No. 2 was built on the north side of the tracks at 2nd Avenue and 13th Street. A third fire hall was built in the 1960's. By 1920 the Lethbridge Fire Department was a fully professional body who could handle any emergency that occurred. Fire Prevention Programs begun as early as 1935 when Chief Lindsay introduced inspections to individual homes and fire drills began in the schools. Through the war years, the fire department held various courses teaching military firemen to handle pumpers and large equipment. The fire Department ambulance was constantly used for transported trainee crash victims to the Galt Hospital. Following the war improvements were made to both the member numbers and equipment including a two-way radio communications system and fire alarm boxes. Restrictions on sales and use of fireworks were dealt with in the late 1950's and by the early 1970's the sale of fireworks were banned. New fire stations were built in the 1970's. One to replace the old No. 2 which became the fire headquarters and training center located on 5th Avenue and 28th Street North and another on the west side at Jerry Potts Boulevard. The fire box system was abandoned in favor of a more effective communication-the telephone. Wooden ladders were replaced by lighter, stronger more serviceable aluminum ones. In 1985, computers were introduced to the fire department and were used to provide a preplan of many of the larger buildings, hydrant locations, fire department connections, sprinkler controls, exits, hazards etc. City Council also approved the implementation of an advance life support program and hired the first advanced care paramedics. In 1986 the Lethbridge Fire department celebrated its 100 anniversary. A lot of changes, improvements had occurred and with the modern fire fighting techniques many young men were becoming fire fighters to protect the public from any disasters such as fire, flood, explosion, cyclone of mechanical disaster. 1994 Police moves into its own building. In 1998 the department hired the first female firefighter, Bonnie Williams. Her great grandfather Jack King was a Lethbridge firefighter in the 1920-30’s. 2001 fire department gets thermal imaging cameras. 2002 Chief T. Wickersham retires and the city hires Brian Cornforth as the new chief. The dispatch centre of fire/EMS merged with police dispatch to form the Public Safety Communications Centre (PSCC). 2003 Council approved $250,000 for a one-time funding for Advanced Life Support equipment. These units were placed on all frontline fire apparatus. Having advanced care paramedics on fire vehicles allow them to respond to emergency calls anywhere in the city and provide lifesaving care even when an ambulance is unavailable. 2005 Revised disaster services plan and bylaw. Plan outlines three levels of emergencies. Level one, less than eight hours and has little impact on the city. Level two, less than eight hours and moderate impact on city that may require additional support from other services. Level three, longer duration and will have high impact on the city which will require government support. Rope rescue training exercise also implemented. 2009 Alberta Health Services assumes governance of all emergency medical services (EMS) in the province. The city of Lethbridge becomes a contracted provider of EMS for the city of Lethbridge. 2011 New Headquarters (station 1) opens on 4th avenue south and renovations are completed on station 4 located at 5 avenue and 28 street north. Large grassfire starts on the Blood Reserve and threatens the west side of the city when it crosses the Oldman River on November 27 (Grey Cup day). 2012 The department celebrates 100 years providing EMS services in an integrated system. From our research, Lethbridge is the oldest integrated (fire/EMS) system in North America. A weeklong celebration of events were planned and an art piece was commissioned to remember the event. September 10 another large grassfire starts on the Blood Reserve and threatens the west side of the city and the town of Coalhurst when it crosses the Oldman River. 2013 flooding in High River and Calgary creates significant damage to the respective communities. Lethbridge sends numerous individuals to assist in the recovery efforts. Lethbridge also experiences high water but infrastructure is protected. 2014 The department receives EMS accreditation through Accreditation Canada – first integrated service in Canada to achieve accreditation. December - Chief B. Cornforth takes a position with Edmonton Fire Rescue Service. 2015 Rich Hildebrand is promoted to chief of the department. The Fire Smart Program begins to be implemented as a way to decrease fire risk in the transition zone where wild land and urban development meet. 2016 Fort McMurray wildfires damage huge areas of the city and forces the evacuation of 88,000 people. Lethbridge sends individuals to provide incident management support, critical incident stress management (CISM) support, dispatch assistance and inspection services over several weeks. 2017 Council gives support to build another station on the west side of the city. When station 2 was first built on the west side of the city in 1980 there was a population of around 4000 however today the west side population is approaching 40 000. Hiring will take place in 2018, 1019 and 2020 to have staffing ready to fill the hall in 2020 when it is scheduled to be completed. 2018 – Department receives “accreditation with commendation” from Accreditation Canada. First hiring for the new station begins – 10 recruits
- Scope and Content
- 001: Chief for a Day 20 Photos (1987) 002: 76 photos 44 Negatives of safety programs, awards, flipped semi, and training exercise (1996-1997) 003: 284 photos of awards, training exercise, family day, and unidentified people (1978-1999) 004: 1993-1995 Newspaper clippings 005: 1995-1997 Newspaper clippings and 14 negatives of emergency vehicles 006: 1997-1999 Newspaper clippings 007: 1999-2000 Newspaper clippings 008: 2001 Newspapers and Facebook post pertaining to September 11 009: 2000-2002 Newspaper clippings, 12 photographs, and 8 negatives of kids program and emergency vehicles 010: 2003-2004 Newspaper clippings 011: 1973-2006 Newspaper clippings 012: 2003-2004 Certificates and temporary tattoo for kids 013-015: 2008-2011 Cds of opening Ceremonies for the new headquarters and Lethbridge Fire Operations 101 016: 166 negatives and 151 photographs of training exercises, emergency vehicles, awards, and kids programs (1987-1994) 017: 36 negatives and 34 photos of fire chief for a day and awards (1999) 018: 62 photos of group photographs, fire extinguisher training program, water training, kids program, fire inspections, and emergency vehicles (1986-1989) 019: 61 photos of training exercises, parade, fire inspection, information booth, and after fire photographs (1990-1992) 020: 138 photos and 89 negatives awards, emergency vehicles and buildings, and social events (1993-1995) 021: 67 photos and 63 negatives health and safety programs, kids programs, and pictures with the mayor (1994) 022: 42 negatives and 34 photos teachers program, and safety booth (1996) 023: 60 negatives and 62 photos of kids program, fire alarms, raising of the flag, and awards (1997) 024: 70 negatives and 102 photos Lakeview School program, awards, risk watch program, kids programs, and seniors program (1998) 025: 89 photos training exercises, awards, and family day (2000-2006) 026: 146 negatives and 39 photos of lake, smoke, emergency vehicles, and Wilson School hose event (1988-199-) 027: 23 photos of Fire aftermath used for education (1966-199-) 028: 28 photos emergency vehicles and headquarters, fires, and kids program (200-?) 029: Guide for owners of fire damaged property, Safety news source, stickers, Service recognition, fire training and customer service training for fire chief, and 3 photographs of two plaques (1991-1999) 030-036: 7 photographs on foam board showing public programs (199-?) 037-042: 5 photographs on foam board showing emergency vehicles (199-) 043- 067: 24 photographs on foam board showing emergency personnel during calls and training scenarios (199- 068 - 081: 13 photographs on foam board used for educational purposes showing a variety of fires and damages (1987-1991) 082: 11” X 16” colored photograph of the headquarters on 4th Avenue South oversize (2011) 083-086: 4 logos oversize (200- - 2012) 087: 24” X 10” black and white photograph of the fire department with Harley Davidson bikes and shirts oversize (199-) 088: 17” X 7” colored photograph of emergency vehicle and personnel with young boy. At the back it says Thank you Tony Stannard oversize (199-) 089: 18” X 24” poster with different emergency vehicles and their years: 1978 IHC Cargostar-1950B, 1986 IHC Cargostar-1950B, 1980 IHC Cargostar-1950, 1975 IHC Superior Hendrickson, 1973 Mack CF-600 Thibault, 1979 IHC Cargostar-1950B, 1978 Scott Pierreville-CIFD, 1982 Ford F600, 1970 Ford Cabover 900, 1985 Ford Econoline XL350, 1977 IHC 4X4 Loadstar, and 1979 IHC Cargostar 1950B oversize (1970-1986) 090: 17” X 28” poster talking about the Fire Department Mission, Vision and Values oversize (199-) 091: 22” X 29” poster talking about the Advance Life Support (ALS) pump response model and its advantages oversize (200-) 092: 24” X 30” poster mentioning five members of the department that passed away: Clifford Daniel Heaton, Douglas Henry J. Herbers, Edward Kenneth Kurtz, John Sterenberg, and Ted “Shakey” Gordon Bochan oversize (201-) 093: 24” X 30” poster of fire department staff oversize (2002) 094: 20” X 16” poster of fire department staff photographs taken by T. Bochan oversize (1978) 095: 24” X 30” poster of fire department staff photographs taken by Terry Bland Photography LTD oversize (1986) 096: 24” X 32” poster of fire department staff photographs taken by Terry Bland Photography LTD oversize (1989) 097: 30” X 20” photograph on wood of the 1995 flood with plaque on bottom left “Flood of the Century June 1995” oversize (1995) 098: 18” X 24” photograph of emergency vehicles in front of fire hall oversize (198-) 099: 28.5” X 82” photograph of emergency vehicles and personnel on the Westside with scenery of the high-level bridge and east Lethbridge oversize (198- - 199-) 2021.1064/001: Paramedic Testing Scenario – Scenario # 1 Exam. 2007. 2021.1064/002: Firefighter Paramedic Recruit Exam – MTO Answer Key. 2007. 2021.1064/003: Canadian Paramedicine Magazine. 2012. 2021.1064/004: Meeting Minutes for Ambulance Committee and Medical Advisory Committee, Medical Director Job Posting, etc. 1991-2000. 2021.1064/005: First Aid book – Second Edition. 1964. 2021.1064/006: Fire Stream Tables and Other Information for Fire Department Use – booklet. 1959. 2021.1064/007: Home Nursing book. 1954-1960. 2021.1064/008: First Aid Catechism – booklet. 1960-1961. 2021.1064/009: The Fundamentals of First Aid – booklet. 1964-1969. 2021.1064/010: First Aid book – First Edition. 1959. 2021.1064/011: Hydraulics for Firemen – book. 1946-1976. 2021.1064/012: Fire Department Equipment: Ladders and Nozzles – Training booklets. 1959-1963. 2021.1064/013: First Aid book – Third Edition. 1974-1977. 2021.1064/014: Preliminary First Aid Manual. 1962-1964. 2021.1064/015: “Constitution and Bylaws of the City Firefighters’ Union” and Handbook for the International Association of Fire Fighters. 1981. 2021.1064/016: Miscellaneous – Diving Safety Information, Definitions and Formula Cards, Medical Treatment Protocols and Feedback Letter. 1997-2002. 2021.1064/017: EMT A Review Instructor Supplement: Teaching Methodology – booklet. 1994. 2021.1064/018: Fire Apparatus Operation Student Workbook. 1992. 2021.1064/019: “City of Lethbridge Emergency Services Oct. 30 90” Photo Album. 47 photographic prints. 1990. 2021.1064/020: Various Guidelines and Manuals for Fire Fighters – including emergency plans, rescue drills, inspections, etc. 1973-1988. 2021.1064/021: Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department Medical Protocols. 2001. 2021.1064/022: Fire and Emergency Services Care and Treatment Guidelines. 2007. 2021.1064/023: “A Report on the CJLH – TV – St. John Ambulance Association”. Paper prepared by Gea Cohen. 8 photographic prints. 1967? 2021.1064/024: Annual Reports. Part 1/2. 2011-2018. 2021.1064/025: Annual Reports. Part 2/2. 2013-2016. 2021.1064/026: Water Hammer & Hydrant Seminar. 1997-1999. 2021.1064/027: Fire and EMS Strategic Plans and Business Plan. 2006-2011. 2021.1064/028: Various Magazines – includes Canadian Emergency News and Alberta Regional Fire News. 2000-2017. 2021.1064/029: Fire and EMS Care and Treatment Guidelines booklet. 2007? 2021.1064/030: Letters of Agreement Between the City of Lethbridge and the Fire Fighters Union Local # 237. 1988-1989. 2021.1064/031: Lethbridge Fire Department Emergency Car Photograph. 1 photographic print. 195-?
- Accession No.
- 20181062
- Collection
- Archive