Vancouver Fire Fighters Historical Society

The Vancouver Fire Fighters Historical Society (VFFHS) was incorporated under the Societies Act of British Columbia on April 13, 2010, by active and retired fire fighters.

The aims and objectives of the Society are to acquire, preserve and protect, for future generations, all artifacts and equipment relating to the traditions and history of the Vancouver Volunteer Fire Brigade (VVFB), the Vancouver Fire Department (VFD) and the Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services (VF&RS).

Artifacts and equipment are defined as photographs (commercial, newspaper, snapshots and portraits from family albums and slides), firehall and chief’s journals, newspaper clippings, publications and illustrations, reports and any other printed materials, including artwork, film and other related media. Equipment will include firefighting apparatus, (we now have four pieces from 1912 to 1951) tools, uniforms, caps and helmets, badges and insignia, flags and firehall signage.

Over the years many items of historical interest have been saved. A large number of photographs in our collection are over one hundred years old, including apparatus and firehall photos, the VFB Hose Reel Champions of 1889 along with ribbons and a medal. We have a firehall journal from 1895, badges, caps and helmets from the early 1900s, annual reports, nominal rolls, Firemen’s Benefit Association (FBA) souvenirs, Firemen’s Ball programs and dance cards, convention medals, funeral casket ribbons from the McMaster fire victims in 1945 and fire alarm boxes and alarm room equipment dating back to the early years.

It is hoped that in the next few years space will be available for us to create a Vancouver fire fighters museum in one of the firehalls for the display of our apparatus and historic collection. Any donations to our memorabilia collection will be greatly appreciated.