This summer the Prince Albert Historical Museum will feature a display illustrating how that museum evolved out of the City’s Fire Hall to the fascinating ‘story place’ it is today.
As background to that evolvement this ‘Whale of a Tale’ will present a brief history of our city’s fire brigade.
March 21, 1887: A bylaw was passed to create, “An Efficient Fire Department.”
- One brigade in Goshen Place (East End)
- Second brigade in Central Area of settlement.
1887: ‘Merryweather Hand Pumper arrived for North West Mounted Police use. It also assisted with local fires.
Presbyterian Church Bell was used as the ‘central area’ fire alarm. An old steamboat bell was used for East End fires.
1890: Captains of each brigade were paid $50.00 a year.
1904: Volunteer Brigades ceased to exist – lack of support.
1905, January: New volunteer brigades established with donations from the Orphanage, North West Mounted Police, local businesses, and citizens.
1905: New central brigade Fire Hall built – located behind the then City Hall (now the Prince Albert Arts Centre).
1906: First firefighter’s uniforms distributed.
1907: New Goshen Place Fire Hall built – site of present East End Community Hall.
Gus Wagner named first fire chief. (Previously, to save money, a city alderman held the position.)
Hired Firefighters worked 24 hour shifts – paid $50.00 a month. Volunteers paid .50 cents per working hour.
1911: Construction of a new Fire Hall begun at junction of Central Avenue and River Street. Plans were made to close the previous Halls.
1912, January 20th: New Fire Hall opens (this present building) – five stalls, hose tower, office, alarm room, living quarters for firefighters, and horse stalls at rear of building.
1914: Merry Weather Hand Pump given by North West Mounted Police to the fire hall (restored pump now on display in this building).
1920: Motorized fire trucks begin to replace horse drawn units.
1937: Firefighters unionize. Improvements come – day shift 10 hours – night shift 14 hours.
1945, June 1st: System of one day off every seven days was installed for firefighters.
1947, February 1st: Two a.m. the worst fire in the brigade’s history broke out at St. Patrick’s Orphanage. One Sister and six children lost their lives. Firefighters devastated.
1955: Fire destroyed the Burns Meat Packing Plant.
Firefighters fight the fire for three days.
1975: New Prince Albert Fire Station opens at 76, 15th St. East. On November 19, 1975 a ceremonial parade of fire engines left the old hall on River Street for their new home.
1977, June 15th: Prince Albert Historical Museum opens in renovated old Fire Hall.
Note: Much of the old equipment used by the Prince Albert Fire Department was assembled by the firefighters on site. Fire Engine Truck #14 now on display at the Prince Albert Historical Museum is an example of that initiative
(Above information was taken from the booklet - “Prince Albert Fire Department – From Then To Now” composed by Ross & Dori Jardine – June 1981.)