In our lives we all experience tragedy, be it sickness, accidents, as well as death. Our problems are many times spread over a period of time throughout our lifespan. What most of us do not seem to realize is that the men and women of our Fire Protection Services and Police Protection Services experience this on a daily basis. These special people go to work each day in a dangerous environment not knowing whether or not they will be going home at the end of their shift to their families. We owe so much to these special people who do what they do for total strangers.
The Regional Firefighters Interpretation Center originally started out to establish a Firefighters Interpretation Center / Museum within Metro Halifax or surrounding area. However, after doing much research we discovered that there was also a great need for a Police Interpretation Center / Museum, a permanent site to display artifacts and recognize the Halifax Explosion as well as incorporate some other important parts of our local history. Since both Fire and Police Services were first established in Canada right here in Halifax Nova Scotia, we have decided to combine all of our efforts into making one very important central center, somewhere within Metro Halifax N.S or surrounding area. If anyone wishes to contribute towards this endeavor please contact us, thank you.
Mission
The RFIC is a voluntary Society whose purpose is to ensure the preservation, enhancement and continued awareness of the historic significance of the Regional Firefighters Interpretation Center site to the region and surrounding areas.
Goals
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To ensure a significant Nova Scotia and region historical property is retained for the benefit of all, now and in the future.
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To ensure a well maintained house and property that demonstrate a presentation that reflects historical accuracy.
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To create an enhanced awareness of the RFIC with the intension of promoting the site as an integral component of the regions cultural activities and programming.
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To promote revenue generating activities that will assist to ensure that financial stability and community of operation are maintained.
Objective
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Regional Firefighters Interpretation Center is a non profit society to promote the preservation of fire history, restoration of old vehicles, equipment and artifacts related to the Fire Service.
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To obtain a suitable facility to house and display those historical items. To host tours, visits and displays for the public education system, seniors organizations, public in general with special emphasis on tourists.
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The society will participate in parades, musters, displays or any other gathering to promote the history of one of the oldest Fire Services in Canada which began in 1754.
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To acquire by way of grant, gift, purchase, bequest, devise or otherwise the real and personal property and to use and apply such property to the realization of the objects of the society.
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To buy, own, hold, lease, mortgage sell and convey such real and personal property as may be necessary or desirable in carrying out the objects of the society.
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The organization shall be carried on without purpose of gain for it's members, and any profits or other gains to the organization shall be used in promoting it's objectives.
Registered Joint Stocks & Deeds
Charitable Society - CCRA
Supported By
Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia
Dartmouth Heritage Museum
Many Fire Organizations
Fire History Cultural Center
Firefighting in Halifax Regional Municipality began in the early 1700's within the newly formed community named Halifax. Military personnel performed these primitive functions shortly after arriving at Chebucto Bay. The first official fire establishment "The Union Fire Club" was formed in January 14, 1754 thus began the oldest Fire Service in Canada.
The Union Fire Club carried on until the more sophisticated Union Engine Company formed on August 8 1768. The UEC was a much larger organization and grew quickly as the community expanded.
In 1750 on July 11, Halifax recorded the first fire of major proportions in Canada. The community of Dartmouth formed the Union Protection Company in 1822. In the 1800's the stature of firefighting and responsibility for fire protection was of tremendous importance.
Gentlemen of property and standing, namely Samuel and Edward Cunard, Thomas Grassie, Alexander Keith, James Merkel, William Stairs Jr., John Leander Starr, Michael Tobin, Richard Tremain, Andrew Mitchell Uniacke, Benjamin Weir and William Young served as Firewards (known today as Fire Chief). Nova Scotia can lay claim to many firsts in Canadian Firefighting.
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Halifax had the first hand propelled fire engine.
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Halifax had the first steam engine - Victoria #1 - 1861.
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Halifax had the first motorized pumper - 1913 American - LaFrance (Patricia) was badly damaged in the Halifax Explosion.
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Halifax had the first Fire Insurance Company.
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Upper Hammonds Plains had the first all black Fire Department.
The Halifax Explosion on December 6, 1917 was known throughout the world as the largest man made explosion before the atomic bomb. During this tragic event nine members of the Halifax Fire Department were killed including Chief Edward Condon, and Deputy Chief William Brunt.
The establishment of a Cultural Interpretation Center would enable us to collectively bring together, in one facility, all of the artifacts that would constitute a Firefighting History Center. It would compliment existing cultural museums and centers that presently exist in our community. Working with Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency Service, a learning facility for children, youth and others could be housed at the center.
Fire prevention education programs could be provided for children brought to the center and would assist Halifax Regional Municipality achieve and maintain the status of a safe community.
