Material Type

Manuscript

Date Range

1 October 1942 - 18 April 1944

Physical Condition

Very Good

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. 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 us of fireworks were 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 centre 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 telelphone. Wooden ladders were replaced by lighter, stronger more servicable aluminum ones. In 1985, computers were introudeced to the fire department to document many of the larger buildings and their closeness to fire fighting dates such as hydrants, sprinkler controls, exits, hazards etc. 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 mene were becoming fire fighters to protect the public from any disasters such as fire, flood, explosion, cyclone of mechanical diaster.

Language

English

Acquisition Source

Lethbridge Fire Department

Scope and Content

Number # 21 Book Headquarters daily reports. Includes ambulance calls and occurances.

Access Restrictions

Public Access

Accession No.

20101000021

Collection

Archive

Less detail