The Horse Drawn Era – Windsor Firemen Retain Warm Spot for Old Dobbin
Four-wheel hose reel with two-horse hitch, 1880
The Horse Drawn Era – Windsor Firemen Retain Warm Spot for Old Dobbin

The Horse Drawn Era – Windsor Firemen Retain Warm Spot for Old Dobbin

Excerpts from The Windsor Daily Star, September 25, 1937 Passing Of Years Has Never Dimmed Regard For Gallant Steeds By William F. DugganOn Christmas Day, 1916…
1957 Windsor Fire Department Family Portrait
1957 Windsor Fire Department Family Portrait
1957 Windsor Fire Department Family Portrait

1957 Windsor Fire Department Family Portrait

Every family has a family album – a bulging book of nostalgic photos taken over the years. The most evocative of these is the family photo…
Returning a Favor – A Firefighting Tale of Two Cities
Historic April 16, 1969 ceremony on Ambassador Bridge
Returning a Favor – A Firefighting Tale of Two Cities

Returning a Favor – A Firefighting Tale of Two Cities

For well over 150 years, the fire departments of Windsor, Ontario and its much-larger American neighbor - Detroit, Michigan - have enjoyed a long and cordial…
The 1967 Centennial Fire Truck Parades
Bothwell's float with antique hand pumper
The 1967 Centennial Fire Truck Parades

The 1967 Centennial Fire Truck Parades

In 1967, Canada celebrated its 100th birthday. From coast to coast that memorable year, there were countless local celebrations ranging from parades, plaque unveilings, fireworks and…
All Ready for the Parade!
All Ready for the Parade!
All Ready for the Parade!

All Ready for the Parade!

With their eye-catching bright red paint, fancy gold-leaf trim and impressive overall appearance, the Windsor Fire Department’s apparatus often led many of the big parades in…
A Tragic Accident in Walkerville
Walkerville aerial truck tractor after fatal collision with hydro pole
A Tragic Accident in Walkerville

A Tragic Accident in Walkerville

Driver training is a vital part of a firefighter’s never-ending education. The ability to competently - and safely - drive fire service vehicles ranging from chief’s…
Windsor Firefighters’ Field Day – Part II
All Fired Up and Ready To Go
Windsor Firefighters’ Field Day – Part II

Windsor Firefighters’ Field Day – Part II

All Fired Up and Ready To Go MYSTERY STEAMER – This interesting photo was taken sometime in the 1930s as Windsor’s annual Labor Day parade formed…
Windsor Firefighters’ Field Day
Windsor Firefighters’ Field Day
Windsor Firefighters’ Field Day

Windsor Firefighters’ Field Day

For more than 50 years, the Labor Day holiday weekend in Windsor meant just two things – the end of summer - and the Windsor Fire…
Clowning Around
W.F.D. Clowns John Rogers, Jim Meyers and Mark Learmonth with the 1925 LaFrance, 1967
Clowning Around

Clowning Around

W.F.D. Clowns John Rogers, Jim Meyers and Mark Learmonth with the 1925 LaFrance, 1967 In 1967 - in preparation for the mammoth parade planned to mark…
For Fire Buffs
For Fire Buffs
For Fire Buffs

For Fire Buffs

Are You a Fire Buff? You might remember your excitement as a child when you heard the approaching sirens of a fire crew on their way…
Historic fires led to Fire Prevention Day
WFRS History
Historic fires led to Fire Prevention Day

Historic fires led to Fire Prevention Day

Fall is upon us - the autumnal equinox, to be specific. Also remember that Fire Prevention Day is Oct. 9, and the celebration of the Great…
1960 Explosion Remembered
WFRS History
1960 Explosion Remembered

1960 Explosion Remembered

Many citizens of Windsor will be able to relate to the story in the Windsor Star on October 25, 2005 titled “1960 blast shook city”. It…
A Brief History of Firefighting
WFRS History
A Brief History of Firefighting

A Brief History of Firefighting

2006 marks the 2000th anniversary of firefighting as it is known today. In 6 A.D. after a disastrous fire in Rome, Emperor Caesar Augustus established the…
A History of Fighting Windsor’s Fires
WFRS History
A History of Fighting Windsor’s Fires

A History of Fighting Windsor’s Fires

1849 - The Great Fire of Windsor. The community is ill-equipped to handle the situation. Detroit’s fire department crosses the Detroit River to save its little…