Archives
Through the Years
The inception of Winnipeg’s fire brigade was unusual compared to many other volunteer brigades in North America. Brigades in other cities were typically made up of citizens from the working class, seeking adventure, status, comradeship, or a means of serving their community. In Winnipeg, property owners, concerned with either skyrocketing fire insurance rates or the refusal of insurance companies to provide any coverage, joined forces in a gesture of self-help. Their objective was to protect their properties from fire.
Here you will find detailed records of notable firefighting events, categorized chronologically by time period.
1873-1899
The inception and growth of Winnipeg’s fire fighting brigades.
1900-1914
Expansion of fire fighting services, with new stations built throughout the City.
1915-1940
Equipment upgrades, Fire Prevention Bureau organized. Last years of horse-drawn apparatus.
1946-1968
Working conditions improved because of new 3-platoon system. Fire Prevention Division organized. Infamous St. Boniface Basilica fire.
1969-1999
Amalgamation of eight local fire departments into one system. Deadly Fort Garry Court fire. First computer-aided dispatch system in North America used by the Winnipeg Fire Department. Museum officially opens to the public at 56 Maple Street.
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If you are in possession of artifacts, documents, or photos relating to the fire fighting service, please do not hesitate to reach out to us and consider donating to our collection.
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The Winnipeg Fire Museum aims to entertain and educate our visitors about the current processes and historical stories of the fire service and the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service.
The Firefighter’s Historical Society of Winnipeg aims to discover, collect, preserve, refurbish, and/or re-build significant equipment, apparatus, and materials related to the history and heritage of the local fire service, and promote and encourage public interest, accessibility, and appreciation for the fire profession.
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