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About Us

Who We Are

Throughout the years, Bytown Fire Brigade Historical Society has worked to interpret, educate and celebrate Ottawa and Canada’s firefighting heritage.

About Our History

We are a volunteer community of practice dedicated to interpreting, educating and celebrating the history of firefighting in Canada’s capital and the country as a whole.

Formation of Bytown Fire Brigade

Every city’s history is written in the ashes of its many fires and Ottawa is no exception. To help preserve the fire heritage and the history of the Ottawa area, a group of concerned citizens from the business and professional community joined with area firefighters to create The Bytown Fire Brigade Historical Society in the early 1980s.

1980

1983

Incorporation

Bytown Fire Brigade is officially incorporated as a federally registered non-profit historical society.

Bytown Fire Brigade Museum Opens

The Brigade has lodged its collection in Station # 3 at Cumberland and Clarence (1987), Station # 6 at MacKay and Vaughan (1988) and purchased its current home in 1990 located at 1-2880 Sheffield Rd.

1987

2024

Community Engagement and Artifact Collection

The Bytown Fire Brigade Historical Society is actively involved in community events, parades, and educational programs. The Brigade celebrates the firefighting community through its collection of antique fire apparatus and artifacts.

Our Mission & Vision

MISSION 

The mission of The Bytown Fire Brigade Historical Society is to collect, preserve, conserve, restore, and display the artifacts and apparatus that tell the history of firefighting in Canada’s capital and the country as a whole.

VISION

We are a volunteer community of practice motivated by personal experience, acquired knowledge, or innate interest, working collaboratively to serve, share, and celebrate the history of Canada’s fire service.

VALUES

Best practices in our organization

Youth empowered to innovate and learn

Trust in all our relationships

Ownership of your brigade role

Wisdom is respected

No discrimination or harassment

The Formation and Impact of The Bytown Fire Brigade Historical Society

The Bytown Fire Brigade Historical Society , established in the early 1980s and incorporated in 1983, was created by local business leaders, professionals, and firefighters to preserve the fire heritage of Canada’s Capital Region. It boasts one of Canada’s largest collections of antique fire apparatus and opened The Bytown Fire Brigade Historical Society Museum in 1987. Despite challenges like the museum’s closure, the Brigade remained dedicated to preserving firefighting history through outreach and educational programs. This commitment honors the legacy and bravery of firefighters.

The Founders

Wayne Corneil

John Carriere

Georges Potvin

Peter Ryan

Our Board of Directors

Our Board Members atThe Bytown Fire Brigade Historical Society lead with passion and expertise.
Peter McBride
– President
Carmen Grandinetti
– Vice President
Scott Stilborn
– Treasurer
Patrick Nault
– Secretary
Kent Penney
– Director
Jim Stackhouse
– Director
Henry Vanwyk
– Director

Supporting Partners and Affiliations

At The Bytown Fire Brigade Historical Society, we understand the importance of collaboration and building strong partnerships to further our mission of preserving Canada’s firefighting heritage and promoting fire safety awareness. Through strategic alliances and affiliations with various organizations, we amplify our impact and extend our reach across communities.
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Join Our Team of Volunteers

Ready to make a real impact? Join our team of passionate volunteers and be a part of positive change in your community. Together, we can make a difference that lasts.
Join us today

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Bytown Fire Brigade Historical Society?
The Bytown Fire Brigade Historical Society is a non-profit organization based in Ottawa, established on February 23, 1983. We serve as a local historical society dedicated to preserving the history or firefighting in Canada’s capital and the country as a whole.
The mission of The Bytown Fire Brigade Historical Society is to collect, preserve, conserve, restore, and display the artifacts and apparatus that tell the history of firefighting in Canada’s capital and the country as a whole.
We acquire, restore, and display firefighting artifacts, including antique fire trucks, equipment, and memorabilia. Through careful preservation efforts, we ensure that these artifacts are accessible for future generations to learn from and appreciate.
We offer a range of educational programs tailored for schools and community groups. These programs cover topics such as fire safety, firefighting history, and the importance of preserving our heritage. Our Educational Discovery Kits, distributed to schools, are particularly popular.
We actively participate in local events, parades, and festivals to engage with residents and organizations. Additionally, we collaborate with schools, museums, and other community partners to spread awareness of firefighting heritage and safety practices.
We do not engage in emergency response activities like a traditional fire department. Our focus is to Interpret, Educate and Celebrate the history of firefighting in Canada’s capital and the country as a whole.
There are several ways to support our organization, including volunteering your time, making a donation, or attending our events. Your support helps us continue our important work in preserving firefighting heritage and promoting fire safety awareness.

Contact Us

If you have any ideas, suggestions, questions or concerns please contact us via the contact form below.

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