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History of Clarenville Volunteer Fire Department |
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town in 1956 the quest for proper firefighting equipment began in earnest.
Their were at least two early approaches made to the Provincial
Government for help. They were asked for help in securing some
surplus equipment from the American base in St. John's. Major
Peter Cashin, Newfoundland's Cold War defender, was approached
about a civil defense pumper for Clarenville. This appeal was
based on the fact that the cable station, through which the NATO
hot line ran, was a legitimate military target. Nothing appears to
have come from either of these request.
In the 1950's a battered fire truck was obtained from the US base in Argentia but was in such bad shape that the Provincial Fire Commissioner said it was not worth the money it would take to repair it. It was turned into a dump truck instead. In 1957, the shipyard gave the town a portable pump on a sort of permanent loan. In 1957 the council allocated $3,000 for the purchase of more equipment and a trailer to carry it all on. The real birth of the Clarenville Volunteer Fir Department happened in 1961 at a ceremony in the Balmoral Hotel. Twenty five men from the community volunteered their services to join the new force and Hazen Clouter was chosen as the first chief. During the first days the fire truck was stored in the garage of Mr. Phillip Stanley gas/service station on the main road. Later a prefabricated metal shed from the Gander base was erected on the corner of what in now Marine Drive and Balsom Street. In 1965, the shipyard installed some hydrants in its yard, with 1000 feet of hose you could reach some of the nearby homes and businesses. ESSO accepted a dollar as payment for a tanker truck which was taken to the Trades School for the necessary modifications so that this truck could follow the pumper to the fire in case more water was needed.
Cleaning to Clarenville Fire Truck in 1967 Source: Lloyd Currie
A big wither fire at Duffitt's on Marine Dive showed soon limitations of the new service. The men had no breathing apparatus or even proper clothing. In 1971 the Clarenville Volunteer fire Department moved to it current location under the new town hall built on Balbo Street. Courtesy: Journey Through
Time - Clarenville, Hub of the East Coast ©
Clarenville Fire Dept was the first to
have a complete Source: Lloyd Currie
Clarenville Fire Dept 2008 Source: Cory Feltham
Past Fire Chiefs of Clarenville Fire Department
Courtesy: Clarenville Fire Department Website
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