History can be informative, educational and sometimes entertaining. We offer this collection of stories, photographs and documentary to provide a deeper, reflective look into the evolution of the Windsor Fire & Rescue Services through the years. We hope you find it interesting.
Excerpts from The Windsor Daily Star, September 25, 1937 Passing Of Years Has Never Dimmed Regard For Gallant Steeds By William F. Duggan On Christmas Day, 1916 the few citizens[…]
The Fire That Sparked a Tradition Chicago, 1871 On a balmy evening in October, 1871, Daniel “Pegleg” Sullivan was sitting outside his house enjoying the unusually warm weather. His contentment[…]
The eight point Maltese Cross is the international symbol of the fire service’s willingness to make great sacrifices in order to protect others from the ravages of fire. The Maltese[…]
The tradition of bagpipes played at fire department and police department funerals in the United States goes back over one hundred fifty years. When the Irish and Scottish immigrated to[…]
Here’s the Answer in Black and White Reprinted from May/June 1992 issues of Reminisce Magazine Ever see a fire truck in a parade without a Dalmatian in the seat up[…]
During the noon hour on a beautiful fall afternoon in early October of 1963, fire broke out on the upper floors of an old, three-story commercial building on Riverside[…]
One of the largest fires in Windsor during Canada’s Centennial Year broke out in an old factory building on Langlois Ave. on a sunny Sunday afternoon in the middle of[…]
On a sunny Sunday afternoon in June of 1974, I was driving in downtown Windsor with a fellow fire buff from Toronto. At that time I had a radio scanner[…]
Old soldiers never die, it is said. But sadly — just like all worn-out passenger cars and trucks – most old fire engines are eventually hauled off to the junkyard.[…]
In a firehouse ritual that continues to this day, Saturday morning is “washout day” at least once a month at Windsor’s fire stations. Weather permitting, of course, the apparatus is[…]
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 –you, know — the[…]
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 professional relationship. On more[…]
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 other special civic projects[…]
The Windsor Fire Department and its modern-day successor, Windsor Fire & Rescue Services, has occupied some 18 fire stations in its more than 150 years of existence. The first was[…]
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 Windsor – most notably[…]
One of the largest and most spectacular fires in Windsor’s history consumed a sprawling factory complex at 945 Walker Road on the warm summer evening of Saturday, June 30, 1985.[…]
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 automobiles to big pumpers[…]
MYSTERY STEAMER – This interesting photo was taken sometime in the 1930s as Windsor’s annual Labor Day parade formed up. After marching down Ouellette Ave., the parade concluded at Jackson[…]
For more than 50 years, the Labor Day holiday weekend in Windsor meant just two things – the end of summer — and the Windsor Fire Fighters’ Field Day! The[…]
An important historical milestone was passed in mid-April, 2014. It was exactly 100 years ago that the Windsor Fire Department placed into service its very first piece of motorized fire[…]
