Posted by Times-Chronicle | Jul 1, 2022 | Featured, Oliver | 0

You can almost envision it: three or four men in long buttoned coats and high rubber boots rushing out of the fire hall, grabbing the portable hose reel and running down the street towards a flaming structure.

That’s what firefighting was like in Oliver a century ago.

And as current members celebrate the 100th anniversary, most if not all wouldn’t want to fight fires in the good old days. Including Chief Bob Graham.

“No,” he said emphatically, when asked if he would go back in time to carry out his duties as a fireman. And you can’t blame him.

Although . . . hanging on to the back of a fire truck as it raced down the street when he first joined was his “favourite thing to do” because it was just damn “cool.”

But come winter time it was drafty. “You had to duck down . . . it was either that or walk (to the fire).”

Eventually, workers’ compensation disallowed hanging on the back of trucks due to the hazard. But in those days, it was accepted; the cost of doing business. In truth, nobody knew any better.

The department’s long history began when the Oliver Board of Trade formed in late summer of 1921. One of the first undertakings was to pressure the provincial government to obtain a simple fire hose for the community. The following year a hose and reel were on order. Not long after that a volunteer fire brigade was formed and Mr. G. Olson was appointed as the first fire chief. Graham said the old fire hall was located where the Firehall Bistro restaurant is now. When there was a fire, people simply rapped on the door to notify the firemen, he pointed out.

The first fire gong (siren) was reportedly a triangular piece of steel that hung on a pole outside the hall. The first practice was held on a Sunday and the wailing apparently disturbed the church service. The reverend (Feir) was a firefighter and felt he should chastise the department for the disturbance. Firefighter Harry Fairweather apologized but admonished the reverend for being late for practice.

Again, the only apparatus they had was the fire reel. Later, as funds became available, a car was purchased to pull the cart, much to the relief of firefighters.

Long-coated members pose with their No. 1 truck.

In 1937 the fire brigade was to consist of five to seven men, who were paid $1.50 for each practice and $2 for each fire attended. The chief was to be paid $5 per month.

Graham said training has evolved to become much more formal and extensive. Back then it was basically hook up to a hydrant and shoot water out of the hose. There were no air tanks in those days, which resulted in many firefighters subjected to smoke inhalation, he said. Today, firefighters are expected to do a lot more, such as auto extrication and medical first response. No, they don’t rescue cats from trees anymore, he pointed out.

The department is celebrating its anniversary with a public open house on July 9 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be live fire demonstrations, auto extrication, and a firefighter challenge for kids. See what happens when you throw water on a cooking oil fire (something you should never do).

That evening, from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m., the fire department will host a concert in the parking lot, featuring country/rockers the Tanner Olsen Band and our very own Rebel Luv.

The event will include a beverage garden and dancing. Tickets are $10 each and are available at Lordco, Gerard’s Equipment and Dubh Glas Distillery. They can also be purchased via e-transfer at etransfer@ovfrsociety.com.

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Osoyoos 8305 68th Avenue, Osoyoos, B.C. P.O. Box 359, Osoyoos, B.C., V0H 1V1 250-495-7225

Oliver 6379 Main Street, Oliver, B.C. 250-498-3711

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