Skip Navigation LinksHome > City Hall > City Departments > Community Services > Fire & Emergency Services > History
History


History 

Brampton Fire Department History 
We can trace the history of the Brampton Fire Department as far back as 1853. The history graphic shows the entwined EHC logo, proudly worn by members of the company while in "Parade Dress".   

Old Crest
Excelsior Hose
Company logo
©1999 Brampton Fire and Emergency Services. Graphic rendered by Corey Ellis Design

New Crest




Logo as it appeared on the
Parade Uniforms of the mid 1800s

Excelsior Hose Company




Here are members of the "Excelsior Hose Company", which was the name of our fire department back in the day.

Earliest Fire
Brampton's fire history has no specific starting date. Fire chalenged First Nations and European pioneers in this area many times. Early settlers had very little water, no fire-fighting equipment, and often no neighbours to organize a bucket brigade. A fire out of control meant almost certain destruction of property. Care and prevention was the best protection from fire, even as it is today.

The first recorded fire in this area occurred in 1822 before Brampton was even a tiny village. In December, 1822, the McVean log home burned to the ground and only a few precious items were saved.

Brampton Fire Pumperfirst_pumper
If hand pumpers, or engines as they were called, can be thought of as heralding the advent of modern-age firefighting, then buying a pumper for the village in 1853 was the humble beginning to Brampton's fire protection equipment. With the invention of the hand pumper the process of fighting fires was greatly improved, especially since one pump could do the work of 40 men using buckets

Early Arsonist
In March of 1868 arson was the cause of fire, the culprits, John Kickly and Ann Donaldson, were quickly apprehended and thrown into the new County Jail which had just been completed in Brampton. For his criminal act Kickly was faced with the possibility of a ten-year prison term. In fact, back in those early golden years of Brampton's history, arson was a continual and serious problem for authorities. Out of sheer anger and frustration many newspaper editorials of the time demanded the death penalty for those found guilty of this crime.

First Recorded Fire Death
In September 1868, a blind, elderly invalid named Sarah Coon became the first recorded person to die in a fire in Brampton. While her husband was out gathering wood, she decided to smoke some tobacco and somehow set the shanty and herself on fire.

Firefighters Save the Village
Brampton's largest 19th century property fire occurred in chilling cold winter weather of 1869. A powerful and uncontrollable fire started in Mr. Hannah's hotel. It killed three horses and entirely devoured a large building, the Graham Hall. But the fire's rage did not stop there. Within minutes it had spread to David Crozier's home and tailor shop. Because of their tenacity and public commitment Brampton firefighters managed to contain the fire by hosing down a nearby home, and by creating a firebreak between the flames and other village stores. The total damage of the great fire was $15,000, an astronomical cost in those times.

Brampton's First Fire Chief
Ironically enough, shortly after the Golding bakery fire, James Golding, the owner and a former mayor, was appointed the new fire Chief in November 1882. His responsibilities including reporting to council the names and occupations of his firemen, maintaining equipment, being in charge of fires, and advising council on the measures necessary to keep the brigade efficient. Finally someone was responsible for the fire safety of the Brampton citizens.

Fire Alarm System 1914
Insurance companies recommended an alarm system for the town in 1899, but  not until 1912, when all the firefighters threatened to resign if the fire alarm system was not installed, that ithe town made improvements. The following year, the ratepayers, voting at the municipal elections, approved by a majority of 124 votes to establish the alarm system. This system, which cost $7,000, was installed in the fall of 1914 and it reduced the insurance rates considerably.

Modern History
The recent history of our department probably had its most significant moment on January 1, 1974. This was the year that provincial legislation was enacted to form the City of Brampton, and the advent of regional government in Ontario. This resulted in the merging of the former Town of Brampton with large areas of Chinguacousy Township and Toronto Gore Township, and the subsequent amalgamation of the Brampton and Chinguacousy Fire Departments.

All of the fire stations and equipment within the new boundaries became the property of the new city, and Matthew (Matt) Gowland of Brampton was appointed Chief of the amalgamated department. The Deputy's job was awarded to Chinguacousy Chief Jim Brunne. The new department was manned by 105 full-time firefighters and 45 volunteers ready to protect the population of 100,000 residents.

The two departments were strange bedfellows in the early years. Chinguacousy was known for it's military style and regimented training. The spotless white dress hats and mandatory marching drills were evidence of the Naval heritage of it's senior officers.

Brampton, on the other hand, was a more rowdy bunch of lacrosse and hockey players who did not take kindly to the stricter code of conduct which the new department would impose. They did not wear white hats.

Eventually, the Brampton guys got smarter and the Chinguacousy guys got tougher, and the mix of the two diverse groups brought out the best in each other. This foundation plays an important role in the success of the department, to this day.

Previous Fire Chiefs

Chief Milner

Chief Brunne

Chief Clark

Chief Core

Chief Golding

Chief Gowland

Chief Milner

Chief Brunne

Chief Clark

Chief Core

Chief Golding

Chief Gowland

Chief Harmsworth

Chief Irwin

Chief Jordan

Chief Manning

Chief Martin

Chief Harmsworth

Chief Irwin

Chief Jordan

Chief Manning

Chief Martin

 History at a Glance
  History at a glance
  Memorials
  Retirees
Slide Show

 Recommended Read

"Brampton Firefighters - 140 Years of Dedicated Service 1853-1993", written by Captain Garry Wilton and Russ Cooper.

Brampton Firefighters

 © 2011 City of Brampton 2 Wellington Street West   Brampton, ON    L6Y 4R2    Telephone: 311 or 905.874.2000Terms of Use      Privacy Policy