Lethbridge and Area Fire Department History
Lethbridge and Area Volunteer Fire Department
This group first started on February 15, 1985, with 31 members, 1 Van and small amount of equipment such as hoses and a fire pump. They didn't have a building at that time, so they based their location and stored their equipment out of Fred Oldford’s Store. They serviced Lethbridge to Morley Siding and Portland to Brooklyn.
In the winter of 1986 the Fire Department received a grant to get 5 men to cut timber for their first building. That spring 2 men (Reg Yetman and Joe Hancock) completed the building (36 x 47) to include a 2 bay garage and a meeting room.
In 1991 there was an extension added to the building (30 x 47). This was made possible through donations and fundraising of the local communities.
Shortly after the extension the department received their first fire truck. They purchased a truck and 2 volunteers hand made a wooden box for it. (Willis Hancock and Clyde Bennett).
Between 1991 to 1992 there was a smoke house built on the property for training purposes.
In 1996 the building went under another extension (38 x 47).
Between 1998 and 2000 the Department purchased a fire truck that could hold 4000 gallons of water.
In 2010 the department expanded its services and were then able to service the following communities: Lethbridge, Brooklyn, Portland, Jamestown, Winterbrook, Morley’s Siding, Charleston, and Sweet Bay.
In 2014 they received a new tanker truck that held 1200 gallons of water. The department had to raise 10% of the cost and the government paid the remaining amount.
To date, the Lethbridge Fire Department has 20 active members and have 2 Tankers, 1 Pumper and 1 4 x 4 Pickup, giving a total amount of holding water at 6000 Gallons.
The list of Fire Chiefs from beginning to end are as follows:
Lyle Butt
Willis Hancock
Lyle Butt (Lyle resumed his position after the passing of Willis Hancock)
William Greening
Andrew Diamond
June Bray
Chad Layte
The location of the Fire Department currently has 3 Bays, with a fire hall, kitchen, offices and washrooms.
This group first started on February 15, 1985, with 31 members, 1 Van and small amount of equipment such as hoses and a fire pump. They didn't have a building at that time, so they based their location and stored their equipment out of Fred Oldford’s Store. They serviced Lethbridge to Morley Siding and Portland to Brooklyn.
In the winter of 1986 the Fire Department received a grant to get 5 men to cut timber for their first building. That spring 2 men (Reg Yetman and Joe Hancock) completed the building (36 x 47) to include a 2 bay garage and a meeting room.
In 1991 there was an extension added to the building (30 x 47). This was made possible through donations and fundraising of the local communities.
Shortly after the extension the department received their first fire truck. They purchased a truck and 2 volunteers hand made a wooden box for it. (Willis Hancock and Clyde Bennett).
Between 1991 to 1992 there was a smoke house built on the property for training purposes.
In 1996 the building went under another extension (38 x 47).
Between 1998 and 2000 the Department purchased a fire truck that could hold 4000 gallons of water.
In 2010 the department expanded its services and were then able to service the following communities: Lethbridge, Brooklyn, Portland, Jamestown, Winterbrook, Morley’s Siding, Charleston, and Sweet Bay.
In 2014 they received a new tanker truck that held 1200 gallons of water. The department had to raise 10% of the cost and the government paid the remaining amount.
To date, the Lethbridge Fire Department has 20 active members and have 2 Tankers, 1 Pumper and 1 4 x 4 Pickup, giving a total amount of holding water at 6000 Gallons.
The list of Fire Chiefs from beginning to end are as follows:
Lyle Butt
Willis Hancock
Lyle Butt (Lyle resumed his position after the passing of Willis Hancock)
William Greening
Andrew Diamond
June Bray
Chad Layte
The location of the Fire Department currently has 3 Bays, with a fire hall, kitchen, offices and washrooms.