History of The Grande Prairie Fire Department

The Grande Prairie Herald, dated March 12, 1918 reads: "Town Council meeting; Reeve Michaelis informed those present that Mr. Smee, an old Firefighter of Edmonton, had been appointed Fire Chief and was ready to receive applications for firemen. Mr. Smee will be found in the Salmond Hotel Block and it is to be hoped he will receive every encouragement from our citizens, backed up by their signature as firemen." Shown here is Grande Prairie's first Fire Brigade. The first floor of this building housed the Fire Department.

In 1915 efforts were made to organize a fire brigade. In 1916, a fire wiped out the Watcher Block which contained a number of Businesses including the Prairie Inn, Hunskor's Pool room, Shuttleworths Drug Store and the Watcher Building. The damage caused by this fire provided the motivation for Grande Prairie and surrounding municipalities to review and discuss fire protection. In 1917, the Utilities Commission granted the Village of Grande Prairie permission to borrow $12 000 to provide water for fire protection.

With the appointment of Len Smee as Fire Chief in March 1918 came increased efforts to improve fire protection. In July the town received its hose cart and reel together with 500 feet of hose. This, along with improvements to the water system, provided a capability to place water streams over the highest buildings. In early 1919 new coats and boots were ordered for the Fire Brigade and in June applications were received for the position of Engineer in charge of the pumping station and Firehall. His salary would be $80 per month. In April 1920 the new Brigade was put to the test with the largest fire in Grande Prairie's history. This fire destroyed the Spencer Block, Donald and Patterson Block, and the three story Morrison Building. There was no loss of life although Fireman Druek was asphyxiated and later revived.

In those days, Firefighting tended to be a job with many risks and few resources. The buildings were generally

constructed of wood and often placed close together without firewalls or built in protection such as sprinklers. The fire was often discovered by passers-by or occupants and the Fire Department was alerted by someone running to the Fire Hall and ringing the Bell. Protection for firefighters often consisted of a helmet, coat, and boots, which provided protection from the water but little protection from fire. Firefighters were often referred to as "smoke eaters" since they had no protection against the smoke. This often limited the extent of interior Firefighting operations.

Firefighting appliances included two 60 gallon cylinder Chemical Fire Engines that were pulled by firefighters, and a hose reel (also hand pulled) which hooked directly to the hydrants and relied upon the capability of the water system to provide proper hose streams.

Today the Grande Prairie Fire Department operates out of two stations and employs 55 fulltime firefighters, 7 daystaff in officer positions, and 2 support staff. There are also 10 full-time alarm room dispatchers along with casual staff.