The Story of Firefighting in Canada

The story of the fight against fire in Canada is filled with episodes of romance, adventure, excitement, heroism and high tragedy, but this has never before been assembled as a record for all to read.

This book by Donal Baird, one of Canada’s top authorities on the fire service and its history finally performs the long needed task. From the fire rules of Samuel de Champlain for his primitive first settlement at the site of Quebec City, to the fires in modern subways and highrise buildings, it is all here. Keeping the important technical milestones and the human story in balance, Mr. Baird traces the growth of commerce and society in a new civilization in the empty continent and the increased dependence on towns and cities as a nation grows.

The compact nature of the urban community meant vulnerability to great losses by fire out of control and a necessity for organization of fire-fighting measures as a very early and vital public service. The growing pains of this service make fascinating reading as entertainment, sociology and technology.

In a variety of ways in different communities, using many individual stories, the author shows us how the citizens banded together for mutual defense against the implacable enemy, how the powerful and political early volunteer fire companies kept life exciting for the municipal authorities until the gradual rise of a dedicated and professional fire service.