The Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services Band is a community out reach program for the VF&RS. It started as two land clearing fires to the west of the city. The city had purchased a fire engine which had not yet arrived resulting in most of the city being burned down in 45 minutes. Quint 20's crew was able to clear fire from the main fire floor and proceed into the attic space however, the attic was quite tight due to the structure being around for over 100 years. The fire investigator revealed that someone had broken into the school, and had poured an accelerant near the door to the third floor. The motivation for the formation of the department came in August 1866 when a fire started in a furniture store and, in less than an hour, destroyed eight buildings were burnt to the ground.
Crews were sent to investigate the incidents while remaining in constant communication with the Emergency Operations Center. A firefighter required medical treatment after the majority of the fire was knocked down and no other injuries were reported. Battalion 1 was placed in charge of the scene and upon arrival, declared the incident a structural fire for thick white smoke could be seen emerging from the container. 1 elected its leaders and was prepared to fight fires with any available buckets, axes, shovels and ladders. On May 28, 1886, Vancouver's first fire department was formed.
A total of 350 firefighters battled the flames for hours on the hot day. The VFRS has operated fireboats since 1928 when the city introduced the VFRS uses a standard logo displayed on uniforms and vehicles: Fire had originated in the top floor and was spreading quickly. On Sept. 19, 1866, the city council joined the cause, passing Ordinance No. Police offices formed a circle around the burning truck and cleared a path for Engine 8 to bring in a Supply line and crew.
On August 23, 1866, a fire broke out in the furniture store of Mr. J. Westall. This block, bordered by Third, Fourth, Main, and Washington Streets, was the …
Initial crews responded and reported large flames and smoke coming from the mill. Jas.
Around 8 PM the game was nearing the end with Canucks losing by several points, and at that moment the crowd started to become unruly. While crews were en route to the call, dispatch received multiple calls from area residents and passersby about smoke billowing out of the roof of Carleton Elementary School.
1, comprising a dozen volunteers, grabbed buckets and axes in attempt to extinguish the conflagration. Check out some great vintage photographs of the department and equipment through history. On arrival of Battalion Chief 3, he immediately made it a 3rd Alarm Fire as large numbers of crews were required to knock the fire down and prevent exposure of nearby buildings.
1. On July 3, 1960, a fire broke out at the BC Forest Products Mill near Oak St and W 6th Ave. Before Quint 20 could contain the situation, the flames had already spread into the attic and upper cock loft area, which led to command requesting a 2nd alarm assignment. The fire was contained several hours later and crews remained on scene to investigate. Families decided to leave before the game was over and headed out of the Downtown core. In the late morning of October 4, 2014, Granville Street had to be closed to traffic for more than an hour after a large flare up required several units to be brought in to help fight the flare up. Because of a briskly-blowing breeze, the fire spread quickly and in little more than an hour eight of the buildings had burnt to the ground. Engine 7 and Quint 6 were sent into the area but there was nothing that could be done as people were jumping through the flames and were smashing store front windows. Sixteen days later, the little city burned to the ground. 1 contributed $265 toward the purchase of a fire engine. On June 15, 2011, the Vancouver Canucks were in the final game of the Stanley Cup playoffs. A working alarm assignment was declared immediately followed by a 2nd alarm which included response from Hazmat 18, Vancouver Police, and BC Ambulance Service.
British Columbia Ambulance Service was also request for standby. A second engine arrived in 1888 along with two new fireh… The Vancouver Volunteer Fire Brigade was established in 1886 with one volunteer hose-wagon company assigned to protect the new city which mainly had lumber mills at the time, and within 16 days of its existence, the city of Vancouver burned to the ground.Since 1893, 48 Vancouver firefighters have died in the line of duty.Current Fire Chief and General Manager - Darrell Reid