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THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011

Vancouver's Fire Hall No. 6

Vancouver's fire fighting history date backs to 1886, formed just sixteen days before the Great Fire of Vancouver burnt the newly incorporated city to the ground. The Vancouver Fire Department represents many firsts in Canada and today consists of twenty Fire Stations - most situated in heritage buildings. In 2011, the Vancouver Fire Department celebrated its 125th anniversary, opening the doors of its Fire Halls to the public. Here are some photos of Fire Hall No. 6, opened March 1, 1908, whose Firemen and women opened its doors, its two fire engines and equipment to the public on Sunday, August 21, 2011.

Fire engines outside Firehall No. 6 in Vancouver's West End. Fire Hall No. 6 is located on the corner of Nelson and Nicola Streets in Vancouver's West End neighbourhood (map. Opened on March 1, 1908, this historic Fire Hall was thought to be the first in North America to be built for motorized fire engines. Fire Hall No. 6 is a fully operational fire station, serving Vancouver's most populous neighbourhood:

VANCOUVER FIRE DEPARTMENT HISTORY (link) (link)
• MAY 28, 1886 | The Vancouver Department was formed.
• JUNE 13, 1886 | The Great Fire of 1886 destroys the newly incorporated city of Vancouver.
• AUGUST 1, 1886 | Vancouver's first fire engine arrives. No horses were available to pull the engine so firefighters pulled it themselves.
• 1907 | The Vancouver Fire Department purchases three motorized fire engines, making it the first city in Canada to own them.
• MARCH 1, 1908 | Fire Hall No. 6 is opened.
• JUNE 12, 2011 | The Vancouver Fire Department marked the 125th Anniversary of the Great Fire of Vancouver with a parade in Gastown.

Firehall Open House sign. History of Fire Hall No. 6 in Vancouver's West End. Entrance to Fire Hall No. 6 in Vancouver's West End. Fire hoses neatly rolled up inside Fire Hall No. 6 in Vancouver, British Columbia. Firefighter uniforms at Fire Hall No. 6 in Vancouver's West End. Fire Hall No. 6's fire pole - due to the age of the building it is no longer in operation. One of Fire Hall No. 6's two fire engines in Vancouver's West End. Lieutenant helmet and firefighter uniform at Fire Hall No. 6 in Vancouver's West End. Fire engine parked outside Fire Hall No. 6 in Vancouver's West End.