History of the Morrin
Volunteer Fire Department
compiled by Larry Anderson
The Morrin Volunteer Fire
Brigade came into existence on March 13, 1922. The brigade was to
consist of 25 active members with seven officers (Chief, Sub-Chief,
two Captains and two Lieutenants). At the April 3, 1922 meeting a
motion was passed to ring the fire alarm at 8:00 pm sharp on the
evening of each meeting to call the members together. A
recommendation was forwarded to Village Council to purchase a 12"
electric bell to be used as a fire alarm, but due to financial
constraints, Council provided an old circular saw as an alarm....
and if not efficient, to install something better at a later date.
On December 12, 1922, the fire alarm sounded and it was discovered
that the Morrin Flour Mill was fully engaged in fire at 2:30 a.m.
The fire was beyond control and the estimated loss was $10,000.00.
At the June 4, 1922 meeting
a discussion ensued as to a possible location for a chemical engine
(soda acid extinguisher, perhaps the same one residing outside the
fire hall).
On March 12, 1924, Village
Council was asked to provide the Fire Brigade with 2 axes, 4
lanterns, two nose respirators and a box large enough to hold all of
the fire fighting equipment. Of course, buckets would be an
essential component of the "Bucket Brigade."
On March 3, 1930, a motion
was passed to recommend to Council that they erect or place a
"silent policeman" on the corner of Main Street and Railroad
Avenue. This is similar to block watch today.
At a fire on October 31,
1934, the engine upset on the way to the fire and was damaged. The
blacksmith was engaged to make repairs at a cost of $75.00.
On March 13, 1939, two men
were appointed as "waker-ups" for the north and south ends of town
in the event of fire.
On April 8, 1940, three
members were appointed to approach Council about supplying a
suitable building for a fire hall.
On March 17,1 941, a
committee was struck to approach Council regarding the provision of
a suitable heated location for the storage of 5 or 6 barrels of
water in the event that the hand pumps are frozen.
On March 16, 1942, it was
noted that all fire fighting appliances on hand were in good order
and supplies on hand consisted of 10 fills of acid and 1/2 keg of
soda. One additional keg of soda was on order. Also a motion was
passed to petition Council to supply a first aid kit and three
respirators.
On January 28, 1946, the
issue of an adequate fire siren was raised once again as residents
in some parts of the village were unable to hear the existing one.
On February 16, 1948, a
letter was received from the Fire Commissioner's Office
congratulating Chief Kirby and the Village on the low fire loss for
the past number of years.
In reading the minutes, one
issue that seemed to be forefront is that there were too many
chimney fires, so a bylaw was passed regarding the construction and
maintenance of chimneys. One other issue that seemed to linger
for some time was the issue of storekeepers burning paper and
cardboard trash behind their stores and the resultant risk of
conflagration.
On October 13, 1948, after
several attempts to get Village Council to install incinerators to
reduce the fire hazard, the Fire Brigade did not receive a
favourable reply from Council. Also at this meeting it was decided
to canvass local businesses to find heated storage for the fire
engine for the winter months.
On March 27, 1950, Fire
Chief Bill Kirkby resigned from the Fire Department after 28 years
of service. In appreciation for his services the Brigade nominated
and elected William Kirkby as Honorary Fire Chief. Alf Pierce was
elected as the second fire chief. Village Council reported
insufficient funds to supply incinerators to burn paper and trash
which accumulated in local businesses.
On August 15, 1956, Joe
Hautzinger was elected as Morrin Fire Department's third Fire Chief.
At this time it was decided to add a third captain and Leonard Olsen
was elected by acclamation.
On September 21, 1956, a
motion was passed to sell the soda acid wagons to neighboring
villages. The water system with hydrants was installed in 1955. The
Village of Morrin purchased a LaFrance 1950's vintage pumper from
Drumheller and Morrin Fire Brigade now had a real Pumper. Prior to
this, the Fire Department had a 1940's vintage dodge pickup which
carried a large hose reel which would have been attached to the
hydrant system for water supply. This truck is presently owned by
the Riggs family.
In the early 1980's, Mac
Hamilton built a tanker on a Ford crew cab. I believe it carried
about 500 gallons of water and had a small booster pump on the
tailboard. I remember it also boasted a 25 mm nozzle mounted on the
front bumper. In 1987, the Village and Council purchased a 1977
Dodge Pumper with a 625 gpm pump and a 1000 gallon plastic tank from
Shell Canada Pincher Creek plant, for about $35,000.00. Today's
pumper cost about $205,000.00 and was funded by the Village, County
and Province.
On May 9, 1963, Neville
Jarvis was nominated and elected as the fourth fire chief. At this
meeting a motion was passed supporting cooperation between the
Village and the Municipality to share fire fighting services.
On December 6, 1966, a
motion was passed to canvass members interested in taking training
with the Drumheller Fire Department on Friday evenings.
On May 14, 1969, Brian
Bauman was elected as the fifth fire chief due to Chief Jarvis'
transfer to Calgary.
On October 14, 1970, it was
decided to send out complimentary tickets for our fireman's ball to
surrounding fire departments within the municipality. An invitation
was also extended to Fire Chief Bill Doucette from Drumheller.
On December 16, 1970, the
tradition of distributing candy bags to the children was started
with Doug Grenville and Vern Riggs serving as Santa for many years.
On March 8, 1972, Chief
Brian Bauman resigned as Chief because he moved to Three Hills.
Odmund Moe was elected as the sixth fire chief.
On September 12, 1973,
considerable discussion was held on the feasibility of purchasing
self contained breathing apparatus.
On October 10, 1973, an
attendance incentive plan was implemented with two members being
sent to Vancouver to a hockey game.
On April 10, 1974, one of
the officers from the Fire Commissioner's Office demonstrated two
types of breathing apparatus (Chemox and free air). It was decided
to approach the MD of Starland for assistance in purchasing two sets
of SCBA, with two spare bottles at a cost of $1100.00
On June 12, 1974, a motion
passed to organize a June Barbeque for members and their families.
On May 14, 1975, the
department requested assistance from the MD of Starland for the
purchase of four sets of turnout gear - helmets, boots and coats.
On March 10, 1976, three
members applied to attend the Alberta Fire Training school in
Vermilion.
On April 14, 1976, an
organization of Starland Fire Fighters was formed to lobby the
municipality for more funds for fire fighting. The MD agreed to
allocate a total of $12,500.00 a year for all six departments. From
this sum $5000.00 was put towards upgrading of fire fighting trucks.
Munson got the first opportunity to use this money. The other five
fire departments each got a turn over the next five years. Also at
this meeting a motion was passed to purchase a panel truck to be
used as rescue truck to carry fire fighting equipment and SCBA's.
Fire Chiefs over the years
| William "Bill" Kirkby |
March, 1922- March, 1950 |
| Alf Pierce |
March 1950 - August 1956 |
| Joe Hautzinger |
August 1956 - May 1963 |
| Neville Jarvis |
May 1963 - May 1969 |
| Brian Bauman |
May 1969 - March 1972 |
| Odmund Moe |
March 1972 - March 1979 |
| John Neill |
March 1979 - October 1989 |
| Larry Anderson |
October 1989 - January 1933 |
| Bill Davidson |
January 1993 - October 1994
|
| Mac Hamilton |
October 1994 - October 1998 |
| Larry Anderson |
October 1998 - October 2009 |
| Randy Gridley |
October 2009 - Present |
|
