Vancouver Fire and Rescue Service History/Facts

VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – The Great Vancouver Fire happened June 13th, 1886, two months after the inception of the city, most of it burned to the ground in less than an hour.

Here’s a look at the history of Vancouver Fire and Rescue Service, as well as facts about the organization.

May 28, 1886 – Fire Brigade organized

June 13, 1886 – City of Vancouver destroyed by fire

Aug 1, 1886 – First fire engine arrives, a Ronald 600 Gallons per Minute steam pump with 2400 feet of hose

Aug 11, 1886 – First major fire fought by Brigade at Spratt’s Oilery, near midnight

Oct 31, 1898 – First aerial ladder placed into service

Spring, 1907 – Chief Carlisle replaced his horse/buggy with a Buick touring car

Dec, 1907 – Purchased three motorized fire apparatus from Seagrave company

Mar 1, 1908 – First fully motorized fire hall in Canada opens – #6 Hall located at Nelson/Nicola Streets (Still a working Firehall)

Jan 20, 1915 – First motorized pumper in service

July 12 1917 – VFD becomes Canada’s first fully motorized fire department

Spring 1921 – Fire Warden Branch organized

Sept 1, 1928 – First fireboat, J.H. Carlisle launched

Aug. 20 1936 – Golden Jubilee year – Arena and Auditorium destroyed by fire

Jan 10, 1942 – Rescue ands Safety Branch formed

Nov 11, 1945 – First hydraulic, metal 100′ aerial in service

Apr 14, 1951 – Vancouver Fire Boat No.2″ placed in service.  World’s most powerful at 20,000 GPM

June 17, 1958 – Collapse of the Second Narrows Bridge – newly formed SCBA team on hand for rescue work

June 3, 1960 – First 5-Alarm fire – destroyed four blocks of buildings and finished lumber products

Aug 5, 1971 – Four 1500 GPM Super Pumps replace retired fire boat J.H. Carlisle

June 8, 1973 – Canada’s first Calavar Firebird, a 125 foot platform is placed into service

Aug 8, 1975 – New No. 1 Fire hall (Headquarters) at 900 Heatley, opens

Nov 14, 1980 – Insurance Bureau of Canada awards Canada’s first Class 1 rating for Commercial Fire Protection to Vancouver

May 29, 1986 – 100th Anniversary of VFD

May 26, 1987  – Fire Boat No.2 removed from service, eventually purchased by San Francisco

Apr 24, 1990 – City Council enacts sprinkler by-law for all new buildings

June 27, 1992 – Canada’s first combined Fire Hall/Library (Number 4 Hall) opens.

Oct 16, 1995 – UEL Fire Dept. amalgamates with Vancouver Fire

1996 – Dedicated Fire Protection System put into service (Big Blue Hydrants), a system designed to be put into service for large incidents, such as an earthquake.

July 1, 2002 – VFRS Fire Dispatch replaced by new E-Comm

Today – VFRS is compromised of approximately 800 Firefighters and Civilian Support Staff who work 365 days 24/7 to keep our Vancouver safe.

• There are 20 Firehalls, with 38 Fire Trucks in service: engines, ladder trucks, medics, heavy rescues.
• Additional Special Teams apparatus such as Haz-Mat, Technical Rescue, Command Vehicle, Air – Light Support Vehicle and, SCBA vehicle are utilized by on-duty staff when required.
• Crossover Medics Units (smaller pick-ups) are utilized today whenever possible in lieu of larger trucks to improve response times, wear and tear on larger trucks, and better fuel consumption.
• VFRS has its own Fleet Maintenance Division & machine shop to perform any necessary repairs and regular maintenance on its fleet.
• VFRS has a Training Facility at 1330 Chess Street where firefighters train regularly, including a burn building where they can train at fighting live fires.
• VFRS has Fire Prevention and Fire & Life Safety Education Divisions that are dedicated to prevent fires through education and prevention.