There are no records of an organized fire brigade in Woodstock prior to 1881. However, a volunteer force had existed for many years. Captain Wilson was the central figure of the volunteer force.
About the Fire Department
What We Do
Through safety programs, rescue operations, and by responding to emergencies, Woodstock Firefighters safeguard the health, safety, welfare, and property of all citizens living, working, and visiting Woodstock. Firefighters are responsible for rapidly and efficiently performing various duties under emergency conditions. These emergency conditions frequently involve considerable hazard.
More than just fires
Woodstock firefighters engage in all types of fire rescue but beyond fire they also respond to life threatening situations including: medical emergencies, vehicle collisions, carbon monoxide emergencies, natural-gas and propane emergencies, hazardous and flammable materials spills & leaks, railroad incidents and emergencies, swift and open water rescues, ice rescues, industrial incidents, elevator rescues, confined-space/trench/high-angle rescues, as well as many other types of rescues.
Other responsibilities
In addition to attending incidents and responding to emergencies, Firefighters also:
- Use sophisticated firefighting apparatus and rescue equipment
- Check all personal protective equipment, vehicles and rescue equipment
- Perform apparatus and station maintenance
- Promote fire safety through educational talks, programs
- Demonstrate the use of firefighting equipment during public relations events
- Perform pre-incident planning
- Perform in-service fire safety inspections of residential, commercial and industrial properties
- Complete training activities and practical drills during training exercises
- Perform continuous physical and academic training
- Work with Police and Ambulance personnel as well as other government agencies and services
- Conduct post-fire salvage and cleanup on fire-scenes
- Help contain spills on city roadways, county roads, 401 & 403 highways
- Participate in community fire safety programs for various groups, agencies and associations throughout the city.
Fire Chief's Welcome Message
On behalf of the Woodstock Fire Department, I welcome you to our section of the City of Woodstock website. We have proudly served our community since 1881 with a commitment to professionalism in all we do.
Using the three lines of defence (Public Education, Fire Safety Standards and Enforcement, and Emergency Response) we teach our community how to be fire safe, ensure facilities are meeting minimum Code requirements, and attend calls for assistance when the need arises. Our goal is to:
- provide the highest level of service in the most efficient manner possible;
- to constantly safeguard and preserve life and property against the elements of fire and disaster through effective preparation, training, and education; and
- to respond to all emergencies in a safe yet swift manner.
I invite you to learn more about our department and how we can work together to keep you, your family and the community safe.
Respectfully,
Jeff Slager
Fire Chief
Our History
Creation of the fire department
On May 25, 1881, the Fire, Water and Light Committee held a meeting to create a fire department.
The original fire hall was located at the rear of the town hall.
The equipment consisted of a horse, a fire cart and a driver who was on duty to answer calls at anytime.
Farmer was a big, brown steed that was in his glory when he was racing down the street to a fire with the crowds following him. He is one of the best-remembered horses to pull the 2-wheeled fire cart.
If you discovered a fire, you ran to the fire hall or nearest bell tower yelling, "FIRE!" At the bell tower, you would grab the rope and ring the bell and wait for the fire brigade to arrive before directing Farmer and the rest of the team to the fire.
If the fire was within hose length of a hydrant, the fire was dealt with directly. If a hydrant wasn't near by, a bucket brigade had to be formed and the leather buckets that hung on the side of the cart would be used to transport water to the scene.
Originally, bucket brigades were the only way to transport water to a fire.
However, James Hay, the father of the late T.L. Hay, decided that his furniture company needed fire protection and he installed the necessary equipment. He made it possible for the town's business area to have a water supply to fight fires and to keep down the dust.
The quest for a fire hall started in 1880 but faced some strong opposition. In 1899, under the leadership of W.A. Kam, Chairman of the Fire and Light Committee, a plan was presented to the residents of Woodstock. The residents agreed to the plan and a new fire hall was constructed later that year on Perry Street.
The original cost of the building was $7,500 but with the installation of the latest in electric alarm systems, the cost increased to $10,000.
Horse-drawn equipment was being used when the hall was opened. Farmer and 3 other horses had stables on the ground floor and the firemen were located on the second floor.
The bell in the tower was engraved with the names of the council members.
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The brigade consisted of 15 men:
5 firefighters spent the night at the hall
3 were on duty at all times:
- Chief Johnson, Fire Chief
- Driver Mclean, served for 15 years
- Alf Thurlow, served for 12 years
Farmer retired on January 17, 1903, but it was not until 1920 that motorized fire equipment completely replaced horses.
Since the beginning, the department has continued to grow in manpower, equipment and stations.
In 1975, a second station was built in the southeast comer of the city, housing firefighters and administrative offices. At this time, the original 1899 fire hall became a sub-station.
In the late 1980s, the original fire hall had deteriorated to the point it could no longer be used. The sub-station was moved to the City Board of Works where the truck was housed in the bus garage, and the firefighters were housed in a construction trailer.
In 1990, firefighters were moved from the bus garage to a new sub-station located in the northwest corner of the city.
The original 1899 fire hall still stands today. It's been purchased by a private enterprise that restored the exterior of the building to its early condition. It's now used as office space for a group that provides services to the community.
Contact Us
City of Woodstock
P.O. Box 1539, 500 Dundas Street
Woodstock, ON N4S 0A7
Phone: 519-539-1291
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