Halifax Fire Department (Nova Scotia)

The Halifax Fire Department served the City of Halifax, Nova Scotia prior to the 1996 amalgamation of the various municipalities of Halifax County into the Halifax Regional Municipality.

History
The Halifax Fire Department is one of the oldest in Canada, tracing its formation back to 1754 when the Union Fire Club was organized. In 1768, the club was replaced by the Union Fire Company, which protected the city until 1894. Several salvage companies were also established during this time, and the citizens of Halifax could also count on firefighters from assorted area military establishments in times of need. The first steam fire engine arrived in 1861, bringing with it controversy and hard feelings among the volunteer firefighters.

The Halifax Fire Department itself was formed in 1894 with a full-time chief. The Union Fire Company continued as a volunteer organization.

Nine firefighters died during the 1917 Halifax Explosion, the largest man-made explosion in history prior to the atomic bomb drop on Hiroshima. Two munitions ships collided in Halifax Harbour and the resulting fire ignited the SS Mont Blanc, a French cargo ship carrying high explosives. The HFD had responded to a nearby pier in their 1912 American LaFrance Type 12 pumper (Named The Patricia) and were caught in the initial explosion. Four of the six firefighters were killed instantly and another died later in hospital. Approximately 2000 people were killed in the explosion and aftermath.

By the end of the First World War, the HFD was a full-time fire service with 86 men by 1919, and was fully motorized ten years later. Halifax Harbour became a major naval port during World War II. Air Raid Precaution Groups formed throughout the city and surrounding area during the war. The 1945 Bedford Magazine Explosion caused fears of a repeat of the 1917 Halifax Explosion, but firefighters were able to get the fire at the naval ammunition magazine under control.

Uniquely in Canada, Halifax experienced two labour stoppages by the Fire Department. One four-day strike occurred in 1980, and the second, lasting over a month, in 1982. Managers and civilian volunteers filled in for the striking firefighters in both instances.

In 1996, Halifax was amalgamated with Dartmouth and the surrounding municipalities of Halifax County, and the fire department became part of Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency Service.

Apparatus

 * 1990 E-One Hurricane quint (1050/300/75')
 * 1989 Duplex / LTI / Phoenix platform (-/-/90' platform)
 * 1987 Pemfab 95 / Thibault / 1994 NOVAQuintech quint (1250/400/100' rear-mount) (Pump added by NOVAQuintech in 1994)
 * 1986 International CO1950B / Thibault pumper (840/500) (SN#T86-152)
 * 1986 International CO1950B / Thibault pumper (840/500)
 * 1982 Pemfab 93 / Pierreville pumper (1250/500) (SN#PFT-1222)
 * 1982 Pemfab 93 / Pierreville pumper (1250/500)
 * 1981 Pemfab / Pierreville pumper (1250/500) (SN#PFT-1192)
 * 1980 Ford L / King pumper (1500/500) (SN#800001)
 * 1977 Hendrickson / King pumper (1050/500) (SN#77003)
 * 1977 American Lafrance aerial (-/-/100' rear-mount) (Sold to Carbonear Volunteer Fire Department)
 * 1976 Scot C1FD / Thibault pumper (1050/500) (SN#T76-133) (Sold to Milford Fire Department)
 * 1976 Scot C1FD / Thibault pumper (1050/500) (SN#T76-115) (Sold to Milford Fire Department)
 * 1974 Scot / King platform (-/-/85' Snorkel) (SN#73042)
 * 1970 GMC Transit coach command
 * 1968 King Model 884KB pumper (1050/300) (SN#67046/67050)
 * 1968 King Model 884KB	pumper (1050/300) (SN#67047/67051)
 * 1967 King Model 884KB pumper (1050/300) (SN#65174)
 * 1967 KB Custom King pumper (SN#65142)
 * 1967 King Model 884KB pumper (1050/300) (SN#65173)
 * 1967 King pumper (1050/300) (SN#65143)
 * 1966 King aerial (-/-/100') (SN#67046-7)
 * 1959 King Seagrave Custom pumper (840/?) (SN#L-5300)
 * 1912 American LaFrance Type 12 pumper (Destroyed in Halifax Explosion)