Who we are

To protect itself and its residents, Medicine Hat saw fit to establish a fire brigade which has since provided fire protection for more than 100 years.

On May 28, 1897, a large fire destroyed the town's government building, the police stables, and a nearby livery. This brought forth the realization that the town was in desperate need of fire protection.

The locals established a volunteer "bucket brigade" which was followed by discussions of establishing an effective waterworks system and incorporation of the town.

Newspaper accounts reveal little of firefighting efforts from this time until May 1899, when the town again faced the potential for wide-scale disaster when a fire broke out along North Railway Street.

Following the 1899 blaze, the local volunteer brigade was more vigilant in protecting the community. A public waterworks system was built in 1901 and soon the first organizational meeting for a 33 member Volunteer Fire Department was underway. Among the first appointments were Dougall McNabb (Chief), W.H. Cavanah (Assistant Chief), H. Tweed (Secretary Treasurer), J. Hardy (Captain of the Hose Company), Wm. Leonard (Captain of the Hook and Ladder Company), and Dave Williamson (Chemical Engineer), plus a brigade of 27 other volunteers. Their equipment consisted of a gong, a siren, a hand-drawn hose reel and a chemical engine.

By 1906, the department had a horse-drawn chemical truck, a horse-drawn pump truck and a horse and buggy. The first Fire Hall was believed to have been built along South Railway Street, then, onto the rear of the first Town Hall, located near the present day Finlay Bridge.

On Jan. 1, 1908, William E. Hatcher was hired on as the first salaried Fire Chief for the Department and William H. Buchanan as the town's first Fireman. Both men were assisted by numerous volunteers in the new Hall at the rear of the New City Hall on Second Street.

On Oct. 6, 1911, the town purchased its first mechanical pump truck, and by 1913, the department had a fleet of three motorized vehicles. Later, a fire substation was added at the top of Third Street Hill at Division Avenue, and another in the Flats area.

After a lengthy stay at the main downtown location, local congestion made it necessary to look ahead to a new Fire Station. On May 24, 1975, a new station was officially opened on Maple Avenue and soon after a substation was located on Dunmore Road.

Fire & Emergency Services continues to serve and protect the City with as much enthusiasm as that first group of dedicated volunteers. Now armed with the latest equipment and the highest level of training, Medicine Hat residents can rest assured that help is only a phone call away.

Courtesy of the Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre

Aquatics rescue

The aquatics rescue team is equipped with a variety of equipment for surface operations.

The training this team receives allows them to respond to various bodies of water and winter ice conditions. In addition to the fully equipped aquatics response unit, the team has two inflatable craft for rapid interventions and a rescue boat.

Hazardous materials

The hazardous materials team responds to incidents involving the transportation and storage of dangerous goods throughout the region.

The mainline vehicle is equipped with an on-board weather station, satellite phone and laptop programmed with technical information software. Level A & B suits are integral to the response unit, as are SCBAs and basic decontamination equipment.

Technical rescue

The technical rescue team responds to incidents involving elevation rescues, both low and high-angle, as well as confined space rescue.

The team is equipped with a dedicated vehicle which carries an array of rescue equipment, and equipped for off-road rescues and operations. Although relatively self-contained, the team and the unit are supported by an engine company.

Training

The training branch provides knowledge and skills to our firefighters.

The chief training officer conducts training, which consists of in-house instruction, correspondence programs and attendance at recognized training institutions. 

Emphasis is placed on safety and all training meets or exceeds the industry standards. These recognized standards are found within the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Alberta Health and Safety Standards and other governing legislation.

This training includes:

• Confined space rescue

• Firefighter self-rescue

• Surface ice rescue

• Hazardous materials response

• Technical rope rescue

• Fire Services Strategic Plan

• Fire Response Coverage Optimization Report