History
1905 – On August 18th, the Vancouver Province newspaper reports that two houses west of Burnaby Lake have been destroyed by a bush fire that was raging for several days. Homeowners in Burnaby are on their own for fire protection.
1911 – Burnaby’s first recorded move towards establishing fire protection: the purchase of 48 fire hydrants at $45 each.
1912 – Burnaby builds a pump house at Carleton Avenue and Eton Street for a total cost of $2,200. This pump station will supply water to a storage tank on Capitol Hill and becomes part of the Burnaby Fire Department’s history.
Chief Constable W. Parkinson of the Burnaby Municipal Police is responsible for fire protection and purchases 200 feet of 1½ inch fire hose for $0.25 per foot on August 12th. This purchase is to protect the horse stables at Hall Avenue and Kingsway, the building that houses the Municipal Police horses, which will also become a part of the Burnaby Fire Department’s history.
1913 – Burnaby’s Council meeting on April 14th recommends that no expenditures for fire fighting apparatus be made for the year. Burnaby still relies on the Municipal Police for fire volunteers. New Westminster Fire Department provides fire fighting service for the Edmonds area of Burnaby, South Vancouver Fire Department provides fire fighting service for the Central park area and the Vancouver Fire Department provides fire fighting service for the Capitol Hill area. For attending to fires in Burnaby, these departments receive a letter of thanks and a $25 donation to their Firemen’s Benevolent Fund. This continues for many years.
1918 – Chief Constable W. Parkinson dies of the Spanish Influenza and is replaced by Chief Constable Lyne, who is now in charge of fire protection and the volunteers.
1920 – Constable Lyne is replaced by Police Chief William Devitt, who is assigned to supervise the fire volunteers protecting Burnaby.
1925 – Bylaw No. 458 is passed April 5th to endorse fire protection in Ward 5 (North Burnaby) and to generate $5,000 to purchase a combination chemical and hose wagon fire truck. On April 20th an American LaFrance hose wagon is placed at the pump house at Carleton and Eton. The pump house operators, whose names are Ed Tugwood, Frank Noble, Tom Murphy, Robert Hansford and Bill Harris, have added duties as firefighters. Their first call is a bush fire at 4800 Hastings Street.
1926 – Bylaw No. 494 is passed February 27th to establish Fire District No. 2, encompassing the southern portion of Burnaby. A 1923 Model T Ford combination hose and chemical truck is purchased. It is staffed under the direction of Chief Constable Devitt and the Municipal Police.
1927 – Pump operator Tom Murphy transfers to the University of Britsh Columbia Fire Department and is replaced by Gordon Waddell.
1928 – Burnaby submits Fire Bylaw No. 451, attempting to create a municipal Fire Department and to construct three new fire halls. The first reading before Council is March 28th, 1929. The bylaw does not receive a second reading and is withdrawn.
1929 – Burnaby’s first fire truck is replaced by a Packard 12 cylinder limousine converted by volunteer Bill Banks at his garage at Britton and Kingsway. He was to maintain the truck and drive it to emergencies for $3 a call.
1931 – The water pumps at Carleton & Eton’s Fire Station #1 are eliminated, retaining the pump operators as the Municipality’s first full time paid firefighters. A meeting on November 26th at Fire Station #1 is called to discuss forming a local of the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF).
1932 – On January 15th a second meeting is called with the Vancouver Fire Department’s Captain MacDonald, the sixth district Vice President of the IAFF to address the Burnaby firefighters. On March 30th the first union meeting takes place with Vancouver Fire Department’s Captain MacDonald, who presented the Charter to the North Burnaby firefighters officially forming the City Firefighters Union Local 323. Frank Noble is elected as the first Union President, Gordon Waddell is elected to the position of First Secretary. Members included Fred Blake, Henry Chapman, Albert Killer, Ed Tugwood and Bill Harris.
1935 – The Burnaby Fire Department is reorganized and the firefighters allow the International Charter to lapse.
Chief Constable Devitt retires and is relieved of his duties as Administrator of the volunteer firefighters. He is replaced by A.C. Bell, who becomes the Supervisor of the Fire Department.
1936 – On May 13th, Bill Banks becomes the firefighter in charge of Fire Area #2 South. His salary is $90 per month. Burnaby remodels the Municipal horse stables at Kingsway and Hall and replaces the original Model T with a new converted Packard fire truck. South Burnaby Fire Department is increased to four firefighters and paid on the same basis as Fire Area #1 North. New members are Ernie Ledger, Rae Martell and Lewis Auvache.
1937 – Officers in charge - Gord Waddell (North) and William Banks (South) attend an annual school for firefighters.
1938 – On April 11th, Burnaby firefighters decide to re-affiliate with the IAFF, retaining Local 323. They are known as the Burnaby Firefighters Association and continue to operate to this day.
1939 – Fire Supervisor A.C. Bell attempts to form a unified Municipal Fire Department by proposing that two new halls be built in the Edmonds and Lochdale districts. Although Council voted unanimously to erect the halls they were not built until the 1950’s. The first firefighter uniforms are purchased, as well as service coats, helmets and gas masks.
1941 – Fire supervisor A.C. Bell recommends first aid training to obtain certificates and requests first aid equipment to be purchased. He also recommends a 10% wage increase and uniforms to be issued yearly. On July 1st, due to ill health, A.C. Bell resigns and Gordon Waddell is appointed Chief of the Fire Department, with William Banks as Deputy Chief.
1942 – Bill Banks and the Fire Station #2 firefighters are called upon to build a 1942 Ford V8 chassis into Burnaby’s first closed cab fire truck. Council abolishes the office of Fire Chief and reassigns Chief Waddell to Chief of #1 area north and Deputy Chief Banks to Chief of #2 area south. The dividing line is the Great Northern Railway tracks at Still Creek.
1943 – The need to restructure Burnaby’s fire service and to unite both the North & South districts was Council’s main topic. Bylaw No. 1916 cited as the Burnaby Fire Department Bylaw of 1943 was passed on September 27th. Councillor Gary Lan recommends the appointment of one Fire Chief for the municipality. Applications for the position of Fire Chief were received up to November 22nd. Both Waddell and Banks applied for the position.
1944 – January 1st, Gordon Waddell becomes Burnaby’s first Fire Chief of the united Fire Department. Bill Banks is appointed to Deputy Fire Chief. On November 6th, fire fighter Cecil MacDonald is promoted to Fire Warden. He is responsible for inspections and installations of oil burners and gasoline storage tanks.
1945 – Chief Waddell’s annual report requesting a new fire hall at Willingdon and Hastings is rejected, along with the request of hiring additional firefighters. Both Chief Waddell and Chief Banks are appointed as fire prevention officers. Council agrees to have a telephone installed at Fire Station #2. Burnaby Lions Club donates an inhalator unit.
1946 – A Provincial Government order requires Burnaby to hire six additional firefighters. On October 9th Council approves a new fire hall to be built at Willingdon and Hastings. The $28,000 contract is awarded to Bennett & White contractors.
1947 – Burnaby’s new Fire Station #1 is complete on September 18th. Captain Menzies and his crew moved into the new quarters.
1948 – Chief Waddell recommends a fire department mechanic, two way radios for both stations and telephones. In June, Ted Barnett becomes Burnaby’s first paid Mechanic/Firefighter.
1949 – Bill Banks is appointed as the first Chief of Fire Prevention. Basil Pontifex is assigned as an Assistant. Chief Banks recommends hiring two inspectors and one clerk stenographer. In April, Chief Waddell appoints Fred Blake as Drill Instructor.
1951 – Construction of Fire Station #3 begins at Lobely Park at Marlborough and Bennett, costing $15,000.
1952 – Fred Blake is promoted to District Chief in charge of Training. Fire Station #3 is completed in December. Eleven additional firefighters are hired.
1953 – Council approves the construction of a new Fire Station #2 on Edmonds Street.
1954 – On October 2nd, Fire Station #2 is completed at a cost of approximately $27,000. On November 18th, Burnaby’s first Fire Chief Gordon Waddell retires. William Menzies is promoted to Fire Chief, Lewis Auvache to Deputy Fire Chief.
1955 – Burnaby’s population grows to 80,000 residents. The Fire Department responds to 835 calls. Training intensifies with first aid being taught on a regular basis. On December 19th Council authorizes the construction of Fire Station #4 at Duthie Avenue.
1956 – Fire Station #4 is officially opened on June 14th by Ed Tugwood, Burnaby’s oldest living firefighter, at a cost of $26,117. Twelve new firefighters are hired to work the station. South Burnaby Kinsmen Club President Bill Gillis presents a $500 resuscitator to Fire Station #4. Chief Menzies promotes inspections of all public buildings, Burnaby’s first step toward pre-fire planning. Jim Etches is hired, becoming Burnaby Fire Department’s first full time Mechanic.
1957 – Fire Prevention Chief Bill Banks retires. Captain Henry Chapman is promoted to Fire Prevention Chief.
1958 – Fire Prevention Chief Chapman reorganizes the fire prevention division by increasing staff, offering a home inspection program and providing public education. Burnaby is awarded first place in the 1958 National Fire Protection Association contest.
1964 – Fire Chief Menzies retires. Deputy Chief L. Auvache is promoted to Fire Chief. An Officer Training manual is written. Telephone communications is upgraded. Burnaby’s fire alarm number becomes Lakeview 1-2211. Radio communications is overhauled and upgraded. Senior Mechanic Jim Etches implements a vehicle replacement program.
1967 – April 12th, the Municipality reports that a site has been selected for Burnaby’s fifth (5th) Fire Station at Sperling Ave. and Canada Way. This would become Burnaby Fire Station #1..
1969 – June 26th, Council approves construction of Fire Station #1, estimated at $331,575.
1971 – June 22nd, the new Fire Station #1 is opened at Sperling and Canada Way. Fire Prevention Chief Chapman retires, replaced by Stan Wilson.
1972 – Council approves construction of Fire Station #6 at Brighton Avenue and Winston Street in February, for a cost of $99,444. Seventeen firefighters are hired. On February 29th, Chief Auvache retires. Deputy Chief Collum is promoted to Fire Chief. Senior Mechanic Barry Howard begins to systematically replace all gas powered engines with diesel engines. Air brake endorsement is required and several senior members become certified instructors to train other department members.
1976 – Fire Chief Collum retires in March. Deputy Chief Buckley assumes all the duties of the Fire Chief as the Municipality announces a competition for the Fire Chief position. Thomas Nairn, a Yukon Territory Fire Marshal, is appointed as Burnaby’s Director of Fire Services in July. Acting Fire Chief Buckley is appointed Director of Fire Operations. In August, Union President Bill Copeland files a grievance with the Labour Relations Board charging that Council violated the Collective Agreement. The Labour Relations Board rules in favour of the Municipality, causing firefighters to sign a non confidence petition in October.
1977 – In January, three Assistant Fire Chiefs (Basil Pontifex, Bud Morrison and Harry Anderson) are terminated for not pledging allegiance to the Director of Fire Services, Thomas Nairn. After five days of hearings under the Labour Relations Board, the three Assistant Fire Chiefs are rehired after recognizing Thomas Nairn as the Director of Fire Services for Burnaby. Director of Fire Operations Thomas Buckley resigns and Captain Harry Brown is promoted to the position.
1979 – As a result of the 1977 confrontation, the Firefighters' Union, led by Bill Copeland, and the Municipal Manager Melvin Shelley jointly agree to establish a Senior Management Training Program. Members selected for the program attend BCIT and other institutions for certification in Business Administration and Management.
1982 – From June of 1982 to January of 1986 a hiring freeze took place within the department. The recession delayed a seventh fire hall and services were withdrawn to save money. Restraint remained a major obstacle during the 1980’s and 1990’s within the department, although the communications centre was upgraded.
1985 – In January, Director of Fire Services Thomas Nairn retires, Deputy Chief Harry Brown is appointed to the Department’s new restructured title of Fire Chief. Captain Hugh Maginnis is promoted to Deputy Fire Chief Operations and Captain Howie Hill is promoted to Deputy Fire Chief Administration. Deputy Fire Chief Maginnis is the Dept’s first graduate under the new BCIT Management Systems program, as a result of internal succession planning.
1987 – In August Chief Brown and Deputy Chief Hill retire, Deputy Chief Maginnis is promoted to Fire Chief. Captain Al Nixon is promoted to Deputy Fire Chief Operations and Captain Warren Hunt to Deputy Fire Chief Administration.
1989 - The Public Education Program is created. Firefighter Bill Grindlay is promoted to the new Captains position.
1991 - In August Chief Maginnis retires, Deputy Fire Chief Nixon is promoted to Fire Chief, and Captain Wayne Brassington is promoted to Deputy Fire chief Operations.
1993 – January 31st, Chief Nixon retires, Deputy Chief Wayne Brassington is promoted to Fire Chief and Captain Vic Harris to Deputy Fire Chief Operations. Upgrading new responsibilities for the traditional roles of firefighting takes place. Medical delivery, fire safety education, marine fire protection, high angle rescue, hazardous material response and first responder programs are developed. In October, Burnaby and Port Moody jointly share Fire Boat 3 in a fire boat program involving Vancouver, North Vancouver District and North Vancouver City. Roy Davies, John Love, Garth Mayes, Rick Collins and Dave Wolfe become Burnaby’s first fire boat instructors.
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| 1993 - Fireboat #3 | 1994 - Technical Rescue Team |
1994 – Burnaby’s technical rescue program has six qualified instructors and 70 trained personnel. The program expands to include tower crane, confined space and high rise rescue. Plans are approved for a new Fire Station #3 to replace the existing station. Deputy Fire Chief of Administration Hunt retires and Lieutenant John Stewart is promoted to the position.
1995 – Hazardous Material Response Team is developed and an awareness program is taught to fire crews. The new Fire Station #3 is officially opened on January 31st.
1997 – Expansion of the communication centre takes place, upgrading the centre with the latest technology.
1999 – In April, Chief Wayne Brassington and Deputy Fire Chief Harris retire. Deputy Chief John Stewart is promoted to Fire Chief. Captain Al Eichler is promoted to Deputy Fire Chief Administration and Lieutenant Doug Penn is promoted to Deputy Fire Chief Operations. Plans for a new Fire Station #5 are approved.
2001 – The new Fire Station #5 opens in February at 4211 Hastings Street. September 11th, terrorists attack the Twin Towers in New York City. 343 New York firefighters die in the line of duty. Over 150 Burnaby Firefighters will travel to New York City over the next year to attend funerals and special events dedicated to the memory of this tragedy.
2002 – Plans are approved for replacing Fire Station #2.
2003 – The Burnaby Fire Department is awarded the contract to host the 2009 World Police and Fire Games. In July, three engines and their crews are sent to assist Kelowna Fire Department with wild land fires in the Kamloops and Kelowna areas. Deputy Fire Chief Eichler retires; Staff Officer Bob Cook is promoted to Deputy Fire Chief.
2004 – Crews move into the new Fire Station #2. Deputy Fire Chief Penn retires, Staff Officer Dave Duck is promoted to Deputy Fire Chief.
2005 – Architects are retained to design a new energy efficient Fire Station #7 at Gilmore and Canada Way.
2006 - An internal restructure approved by management and Local 323 sees the Department add a Safety Officer/Shift Trainer for each shift, and reclassifies the positions of Chief Training Officer and Chief Fire Prevention Officer. The new position of Assistant Fire Chief Administration is created. Chief Training Officer Barry Bate is promoted to the new position.
2007 – In August, Fire Chief John Stewart retires. Deputy Chief Bob Cook is promoted to Fire Chief. Staff Officer Shaun Redmond is promoted to Deputy Fire Chief.
2009 – The Burnaby Fire Department hosts the 2009 World Police and Fire Games from July 31st – August 9th. The games produced a record number of athletes from 56 countries and were deemed the best organized games by the Games Federation President. Burnaby Firefighters Jeff Clark and Miles Ritchie started the whole experience. Station #7 officially opens on September 1st. Deputy Chief Duck retires, Staff Officer McDonald is promoted to Deputy Fire Chief.
2011 – Fire Chief Bob Cook retires in July. Deputy Chief Shaun Redmond is promoted to Fire Chief. Staff Officer Ron Barker is promoted to Deputy Fire Chief.
Present Day – The Burnaby Fire Department has grown to 286 personnel, encompassing the Administration, Training, Fire Prevention and Fire Suppression Divisions. We proudly serve the people who live, work and play in Burnaby.
