History
In 1875 Bracebridge town council was petitioned to purchase a fire pumper. This was approved and $1500 was raised to purchase a used fire engine from Port Hope. This engine was hand operated.
The first official fire brigade was formed in 1876, since then the Bracebridge fire department has been a fire service dedicated to community safety. Under the direction of fire warden John Haw, 50 firefighters acted as the first brigade and operated on a budget of less than $700. They attended an average of 25 calls per year, while only protecting an area as large as our downtown core is today.
Here are some more important milestones in our history:
- In 1878 firefighters were allotted $100 to purchase uniforms.
- A set of four water tanks are installed in the downtown area in 1881 to assist in firefighting efforts.
- Also in 1881 the grand opening was held for a new town hall, of which a portion was set aside for the department.
- In 1882 a horse drawn horse and ladder wagon was purchased.
- 1884 saw Bird's Woolen Mill approach the town to offer their water pump as a resource, for this service they were relieved from paying 10 years of taxes.
- In 1893 the town's first fire hall was purchased, until then the bell at the Anglican Church had rung out the alarms. The first bell ringer was Henry Slater.
- 1933 the town's first motorized apparatus was purchased. A 1932 Ford pumper truck was added to the town's compliment of equipment.
Since the purchase of the first motorized apparatus, the department has grown its fleet. Every effort is made to ensure our firefighters have the best, safest and most current equipment to work with. This will ensure that our department can continue to provide effective service to our residents for the next century and beyond.
