Joanne McQuarrie, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter | [email protected]
Fire fighting started in the early 1900s in Jasper National Park with the first fire game wardens, a wagon drawn by horses and local able-bodied citizens were part of the team that put out fires.
Today, there's high-tech equipment, in-depth training and team members have an assortment of titles.
The common thread from then to now though, is a group of people who are dedicated, compassionate and motivated to help others.
In June 1909, the Dominion Government decided to hire fire game wardens for some of the national parks. Lewis Swift was hired in 1910 to be the warden for Jasper and Alex McDougall was hired in 1912, along with a temporary warden, someone by the name of Bulwell or Burwell.
In 1914, Dougald Maclachlan built Jasper’s first fire hall at the northeast corner of Elm and Geiki streets, where a boulder and plaque have been placed to commemorate the Jasper School district.
This hall is where a Brandon Chemical wagon was stored. It was drawn by two roan horses. A caretaker lived in the fire hall and it was his job to keep the building warm and equipment maintained, as well as working his other job at the government garage.
Back then, the fire department consisted of Dominion Government employees and wardens, who were assisted by local citizens at a fire scene. These firefighters helped to suppress forest fires.
What is called 'the crowning moment' of the young department happened in 1921 when a motor-powered REO-Bickle pump truck arrived. On board was a two-and-a-half inch hose that was 2,600 feet long. It had the capability of pumping 195 gallons of water per minute at 58 pounds of pressure.
Innovation was key here too, the wheels on the truck could be removed and replaced with wheel flanges, which allowed it to be used on railroad tracks.
A small bell on the hall, and a steam whistle on top of the railroad's roundhouse, summoned the firefighters to the hall to action a fire.
A new fire hall was built at the corner of Patricia and Elm streets in 1936. The Western Canada Fire Underwriters' Association recommended a fire brigade of volunteers from the community be formed, because the wardens weren't always available. Thus came the Jasper Volunteer Fire Brigade, created with help from the also newly-formed Jasper Chamber of Commerce.
In 1948 a dispatch office was added to the building and in 1973 a third bay was constructed. The fire brigade also operated the local ambulance service until 1985.
The needs of the town and Jasper outgrew what the fire hall could provide, so a new fire hall was built in 2003. The new building houses not only the fire department but local EMS too. It serves as an emergency coordination centre in the event of a large disaster.
Greg Van Tighem, with the Jasper Fire Department for 28 years, has been the fire chief since 1999, and has seen the ongoing evolution of the fire fighting team over the years.
He said at the fire hall there are two apartments for use by local first responders, a dormitory room, an EMS office and three fire offices, plus a training classroom for use by the fire department and other municipal departments.
"It's a big classroom," Van Tighem said.
There are 29 active members on the Jasper Volunteer Fire Brigade. Paid positions are held by Van Tighem, deputy fire chief Don Smith and assistant fire chief/training officer Amy West. Van Tighem noted there are also eight auxiliary members - retired members who step in to help at community events and at emergency scenes as a limited resource.
With the COVID-19 pandemic, weekly training sessions were switched to a virtual delivery.
"About three weeks ago, we switched to three platoons, and we do training per platoon, so there's smaller groups - and they train on separate nights," Van Tighem said.
"It's usually six to ten people now."
Fire department members wear masks at the weekly training sessions.
There is a huge selection of information to learn: vehicle extrication, pumping - hose maneuvers, types of fires - structural, vehicle, wildland; SCBA (self contained breathing apparatus) use; emergency vehicle operation, including driving competency; radio operations, hazardous goods; critical incident stress management; fire dynamics - learning how to read smoke and flame growth; sprinkler protection units - protecting areas with sprinklers during a wildfire.
There are also health and wellness sessions. Of these, Van Tighem said, "We do platoon challenge activities - dodgeball, field hockey, miniature golf, done in a fun, competitive format."
The fire department also does cross training with EMS and Parks Canada (water and ice rescues, for example).
New members are welcome.
"When we recruit new members, they have to go through basic training," Van Tighem said.
"Volunteers are equipped with turnout gear, which includes boots, pants, a jacket, balaclava, gloves and a helmet."
Jasper Volunteer Fire Brigade is still an integral part of the community. Members not only extinguish fires, but also provide preventative measures that ensure the town and its residents’ safety.
The brigade continues to grow with the community of Jasper. During the pandemic, they organized parades and visited children on their birthdays, and members continue to work hard at making Jasper a safe and caring community.
With files from Jasper Volunteer Fire Department and Jasper-Yellowhead Museum and Archives
