The North Bay Fire Department

North Bay Fire Department by Old Town Hall, 1914
Photographer: E.E. Sieber

As early settlers worked to develop North Bay, protection from fire quickly became a pressing need. A bylaw to create a fire department was passed on March 24, 1893. In the early days of the department, horses were obtained from local livery stables who were paid per call.  In 1905, the Fire Chief received $75.00 per year while firefighters received $36.00.

North Bay Fire Department Standing in Front of 1951 Chevrolet “Maple Leaf” and 1928 Bickle

Photographer: Jim Schofield 

The original Fire Hall was located at the corner of Ferguson Street and McIntyre Street West. In 1928, North Bay purchased its first fire truck, a 1928 Bickle triple combination pumper, at a cost of $13,500. By 1934, the department had two pumpers, a ladder truck, and six full time fire fighters.  A new Fire Hall was built in 1954 at the corner of Ferguson Street and Victoria Street to accommodate the growing department. 

The West Ferris Fire Department formed in 1925, while the Widdifield Fire Department formed in 1959. On January 1st, 1968 the North Bay Fire Department celebrated the amalgamation of West Ferris and Widdifield Townships into the City of North Bay.  The enlarged Fire Department now had three Fire Stations and sixty one fire fighters.  

Fires have influenced the lives of local residents in many ways. For some, it is simply the loss of a favourite store or place to visit. For others, it is the loss of a home, livelihood or even their lives. 

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New Hydraulic Ladder Truck, 1953 
Photographer: John McNeill

Mayor Cecil Hewitt and Counsellor Orma McNaughton are pictured going up in the Fire Department’s new hydraulic ladder truck in 1953. This new equipment was a timely purchase, because the previous platform could only reach three stories, and John Kennedy was constructing a building five stories high.