Chapter 3

CHAPTER 3

Port Alberni - Post Amalgamation:

With the official amalgamation of the two Cities in October of 1967, the Port Alberni Fire Department acquired Alberni Fire Department's Firehall on the corner of Adelaide and Johnston Streets. The Firehall contained a 1937 Ford Pumper, a 1949 Ford Pumper, a 1960 Commer Van and a 1948 Dodge car/ambulance.

Due to the amount of duplication of equipment and vehicles, several vehicles with some older equipment were sold: eg; in 1968, Alberni's 1937 Ford Pumper was sold to Coal Harbour, in 1968, Alberni's 1948 Dodge car/ambulance was given to the City Works Department for use as a runabout vehicle, in 1970, Port Alberni's 1941 Ford Pumper was sold to Cherry Creek Fire Department, as shown in the photo below.

Photo above shows Personnel from the Cherry Creek Volunteer Fire Department with their newly acquired 1941 Ford Pumper.

In 1968, City Council decided to turn the City owned ambulance operation, being run by a private enterprise (Miller Motors), over to the Fire Department. This transfer of service became effective July 1, 1968. The Fire Department thus received two more vehicles - a 1966 Mercedes Benz ambulance and the 1954 Pontiac ambulance.

Photo shows two Port Alberni Fire Department Personnel with the 1966 Mercedes Benz Ambulance.

The Pontiac was in rather poor condition, and was sold within a year. The photo below shows members of the full time crew touching up the Pontiac as it was to be offered for sale.

Touching up the old Pontiac Ambulance.

The Pontiac was replaced by a 1968 Ford Econoline van, which was outfitted by the Port Alberni Fire Department's paid staff as a second ambulance and a rescue vehicle.

1968 Ford Econoline Ambulance/Rescue Van.

The next to be replaced was the Commer Van. It was replaced in 1969 with a Dodge Sportsvan. This van became a backup (3rd) ambulance and served primarily as the Fire Inspector's vehicle.

1969 Dodge Sportsvan - serving as a backup ambulance and station runabout.

In 1970, a 75 foot elevating platform/pumper was ordered. Due to the complexity of it's construction, delivery was not made until 1972. This vehicle was fitted with a two stage 1050 GPM pump and carried hose and equipment so was a self contained unit. Photo below shows the elevating platform being operated by F.D. staff in a drill at the Pioneer Towers.

The 1941 International truck, fitted with the 53 foot Nemco ladder was traded in to the elevating platform supplier, who promptly sold it to the Nanoose Fire Department.

75 foot Elevating Platform.

In late 1973, the Department took delivery of a new Fire Chief's car. It was a 1974 Chevrolet Nova, four door sedan (pictured below). The 1966 Plymouth Station Wagon was retained and became the Deputy Fire Chief's vehicle.

On July 1 1974, the Provincial Government took over all ambulance services in B.C. The City sold the 1966 Mercedes Benz ambulance and the 1968 Ford Econoline to the B.C. Government Ambulance Agency. Shortly after, the agency took these vehicles out of service and supplied a standard type vehicle (used province wide). Similar vehicles were supplied at intervals to the Department when mileages got very high or vehicles became worn out.

Photo shows the two B.C. Government supplied vehicles. Photo taken: approximately 1975.

By 1976, the 1941 Fireboat was in very poor condition due to rust and corrosion, and City Council agreed that a new vessel was in order. A 27 foot fibre glass vessel was commissioned from a shipyard in North Vancouver. This vessel was delivered in November, 1977, and officially christened and put in service December 1st, 1977. The old Fireboat was sold to the Bamfield Fire Department. It should be noted that the Port Alberni Harbour Commission contributed 50% of the purchase price of the Fireboat and the shed that was subsequently built to shelter it.

M.V. Frank Harrison

Also received during 1977 were: a new International 1050 GPM single stage pumper which replaced the 1948 Ford Pumper (which was sold by the City to the Town of Pouce Coupe); a new Chevrolet Chevelle station wagon which replaced the 1966 Plymouth station wagon (which was traded in).

Keys for new 1050 GPM Pumper Exchanged in 1977.

Keys for new Chevelle Station Wagon exchanged in 1977 as well.

At about this time, the Fire Chief convinced City Council that a regular cycle of replacements for pumper trucks would be wise for budget purposes and to comply with the expectations of the Insurance Underwriters. It was decided that the oldest of the 3 pumpers would be replaced after 21 years of service. By adjusting the timing of new truck purchases a new pumper would be bought and placed in service every 7 years. Thus, the next pumper replacement took place in 1985 when a new 1984 diesel powered 1050 gpm single stage pumper was purchased and received, replacing the 1964 Ford pumper. (This 1964 pumper was traded in on the new 1984 pumper and was sold by the supplier to Conquerall Bank Fire Department in Nova Scotia).

Port Alberni's first diesel truck - a 1984 International.

It should be noted here that for several years now, smaller Fire Department vehicles, eg: Chief and Deputy Chief vehicles plus the Inspector's van were on a 10 year replacement cycle. Then in 1979 the 1969 Dodge Sportsvan was replaced with a 1979 Chevrolet van; in late 1984 the Chief's 1974 Chevrolet Nova was replaced with a 1984 Chevrolet Cavalier; in 1987 the Deputy Chief's 1977 Chevrolet Chevelle station wagon was replace with a 1987 Ford half ton pickup complete with a canopy. the following photo shows all the 3 new vehicles noted above.

Photo Shows the Fire Chief's, Deputy Fire Chief's, and Fire Inspector's van.

In 1989 the 1979 Inspector's Chevrolet van was traded in on a 1989 Ford Econoline van.

Keys exchanged for the 1989 Ford Econoline Inspector's Van.

In 1991, the Department took delivery of a new diesel powered, 2 stage 1050 GPM GM/White/Volvo Pumper. It replaced the 1966 International pumper, which was sold by the City to the Beaver Creek Recreational Association.

New 1991 1050 gpm GM/White/Volvo Diesel Powered Pumper with enclosed crew cab.

In the Fall of 1994, the Fire Chief's 1984 Chevrolet Cavalier was traded in for a 1994 Plymouth Acclaim.

This concludes the accounting of the Firehalls and the vehicles to the present day

(OCTOBER 1995)