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History

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OUR HISTORY:
Thirteen volunteer firefighters of Fort Erie Fire Co. No. 2 formed the Fort Erie LaFrance Association in 1983. A 1947 American LaFrance (open cab) pumper was purchased by the members from Mr. Hall of Crystal Beach Ontario. It had been in service at Fire Co. No. 2 and was answering an emergency call of fire at the Landmark Hotel on Netherby Road and Q.E.W. highway, during the blizzard of '77. As a result of the severe weather conditions, the truck froze up during the fire and went out of service for 6 years. These members located it and after a complete restoration of the vehicle, they now needed a place to store the fire truck.

BUILDING:
In November of 1986, construction began on the present site of the museum, which was about 2,000 sq. ft. After holding meetings at member's homes for a year, the first meeting was held at the facility in June 1987. The building included washrooms, meeting room and kitchen.

In the spring of 1991 an addition was added to the existing building increasing the size to about 4,000 square feet. The addition included an office.

 
FIRE APPARATUS
  • 1915 FORD MODEL "T"
  • 1917 FORD CHEMICAL WAGON
  • 1924 LAFRANCE PUMPER
  • 1927 REO BICKEL PUMPER (origin -Station 1 Fort Erie)
  • 1938 DODGE SQUAD TRUCK (origin - Ridgeway)
  • 1947 LAFRANCE PUMPER (origin -Station 2, Fort Erie)
  • 1952 GMC RESCUE VAN (origin -Station 6, Fort Erie)
  • 1952 FWD 60 ft Tiller
Shortly after the purchase of the 1947 LaFrance open cab the association acquired a 1947 closed cab from Leo Brzyski of Clarence Center New York and had it restored. It was part of the firefighting equipment in Williamsville New York U.S.A. and has since been returned to them.

On January 28, 1989 a 1917 Ford Model "T" Chemical wagon and a 1924 American LaFrance pumper was purchased from Mr. Ross of Peterborough Ontario. These vehicles were part of the Renfrew Ontario fire fighting equipment.

The largest truck acquired, in excess of 60 feet, is a 1952 FWD Tiller from Dr. Gibbons of Buffalo, New York.

The association has since obtained a 1915 Ford Model "T" chiefs car from Don Belfry of Fort Erie, a 1927 Bickel from Fort Erie Fire Co. No. 1, a 1952 GMC rescue truck from Crystal Beach Firefighters Assoc. in Fort Erie and a 1938 Dodge Squad truck from Larry Kline of Ridgeway, Ontario.

Other acquisitions include:

  • 1906 Canadian Pumper Steamer - The Canadian Fire Engine No. 105, London Ontario.
  • 1880 Side Stroke Hand Pumper - the Gleason and Bailey Mfg. Co., Seneca Falls, New York U.S.A.
  • 1845 hand drawn pumper - Hunneman & Co. Mfgr, Rocks, Village U.S.A.
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