For five decades, the New Toronto Fire Department served the citizens and industry of New Toronto, an independent municipality located along Lake Ontario between Long Branch and Mimico. Established in the early part of the 20th century, the department was absorbed by the Etobicoke Fire Department on January 1, 1967.
History[]
A volunteer fire brigade was first organized in the area no later than 1914. Equipment was extremely rudimentary and consisted of two lengths of hose, a wheelbarrow, and an axe maintained at two locations: Fourth Street north of Lakeshore Road, and on the western edge of town on Twenty Second Street. A hand-drawn hose cart was also obtained.
The department purchased its first motorized apparatus in 1918. The pumper was built on a 1917 McLaughlin-Buick chassis and was housed on Seventh Street, south of Lakeshore Road.
1942 LaFrance 601 pumper (serial L-1689) posed outside quarters on Eighth Street in 1955. James V. Salmon photo, Toronto Public Library archives.
In 1930 construction commenced on a two-bay fire hall with attached living quarters at 130 Eighth Street. The hall was designed by James, Proctor & Redfern Limited and H. A. McIntyre and cost $17,000 to build. The station was officially opened August 5, 1930. The first two paid employees of the department were also hired in 1930, bringing the department's total manpower to 24.
New Toronto's 1945 LaFrance JOX 85' mid-mount (serial L-2101) as seen in 1955. James V. Salmon photo, Toronto Public Library archives.
With the area undergoing rapid industrial growth during the Second World War, the New Toronto Fire Department became the first agency in Etobicoke to purchase an aerial truck. The American LaFrance 85' mid-mount featured a steel ladder and was delivered July 1945. Continued post-war growth of the community necessitated the addition of a third and fourth apparatus bay in the late 1940s.
By the 1950s the department had expanded to 26 paid men, with a minimum staffing level of six. The New Toronto Fire Department became a fully-paid department in 1965 when the use of volunteers was discontinued.
New Toronto amalgamated with neighbouring municipalities on January 1, 1967 to form the Borough of Etobicoke. The New Toronto Fire Department was no more, and the station re-designated Etobicoke Fire Department Station 9.
Fire Stations[]
| Station | Address | In Service | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fire Station | 7th Street, south of Lakeshore Road | 1918-1930 | Some accounts suggest this was a barn. Post-1930 the building was used by a local Boy Scout troop. Long since demolished. |
| Fire Station | 130 Eighth Street | 1930-1967 (amalgamation) | Two additional bays added post-WWII. Currently TFS Station 435. |
Apparatus[]
New Toronto's 1941 Plymouth P12 Special Deluxe station wagon was acquired in 1945. The vehicle was equipped with first aid supplies, rescue tools, and salvage equipment.
All pump/tank measurements are in Imperial gallons.
- 1956 Chevrolet station wagon (Chief)
- 1954 LaFrance-Foamite 710-PJO open cab pumper (840/300?) (SN#L-5047)
- 1945 LaFrance JOX M-8-85 open cab aerial (-/-/85' mid-mount) (SN#L-2101)
- 1942 LaFrance B-601 CO open cab triple combination pumper (840/100) (SN#L-1689)
- 1941 Plymouth P12 Special Deluxe station wagon
- 1930 LaFrance 192 PWT pumper (600/150) (SN#L-442)
- 1927 LaFrance 100 Series Metropolitan pumper (Sold to Argyle Fire Department, Arnstein, ON)
- 1917 McLaughlin-Buick pumper