Archives
1946-1968
Oct. 1, 1946
3-platoon system is implemented, 46-hour week
Sept, 5, 1948
Artic Ice Company fire
Dec. 19, 1949
44-hour work week, giving fire fighters extra day off every second week.
1950
All fire apparatus receive two-way radios.
New addition made to old No. 9 station at William Ave. W. and Cecil to become WFD repair shop.
Feb. 28, 1952
Furby Theatre fire
1954
New fire station built on Watt St. for East Kildonan.
Mar. 3, 1954
The Manitoba & Imperial Hotels 4 businesses, 509-517 Main St. $87,713 in damage and losses
Mar. 30, 1954
Canoe Club of Winnipeg fire. $100,000 in damage
June 8, 1954
Time Building Fire, biggest and most memorable fire in Winnipeg history.
1955
North Kildonan has a volunteer Fire Department.
Jan. 23, 1956
Minto Armouries fire
Apr. 1956
WFD gets first director of training with new training program.
May 25, 1956
CNR Fort Rouge Shops fire.
Sept. 12, 1965
Western Smallwares and Stationaries fire
1957
Fire Prevention Division organized now with 14 members.
Fire Station No. 9 built at 664 Marion St.
Feb. 25, 1958
Wilson Furniture fire
June 20, 1959
Winnipeg gets first three digit emergency number for police, fire, and ambulance in North America – “Dial 999” (Eventually changed to 911).
Sept. 1959
Current Station No. 19 at 320 Whytewold Rd. opened as St. James No. 2.
Mar 1, 1960
4-platoon system was adopted, 42-hour workweek – two 10-hour days, two 14-hour night shifts in 8-week cycle.
1962
WFD gets its first “snorkel” fire apparatus – that period’s newest advance in firefighting technology.
1963
No.13 Station on Cathedral Ave. closed.
No. 6 Station built at 1501 Church Ave. Today it is now No. 17 Station.
Last Kildonan council decides a full-time fire dept. essential.
1965
New and current No. 1 Station built at 65 Ellen St.
Apr. 30, 1965
After 50 years, Chief Arthur Martin retired from the St. Vital FD. During his rein, the department grew from a bucket brigade to a modern department with 14 pieces of apparatus and 26 fire fighters.
Jan. 1966
YMCA Fire, -20 F.
1967
Current station No. 10 at 1354 Border St. opened as St. James No. 3.
Mar. 9, 1968
St. Stephen’s – Broadway United Church fire
July 22 1968
Infamous St. Boniface Basilica fire – infamous because the spectators were so thick that the WFD couldn’t reach the scene to assist the under equipped St. Boniface FD in fighting the fire.
Nov 12, 1968
St. Andrew’s United Church on Elgin Ave. destroyed.
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