ANTIGONISH TOWN VOL FIRE DEPARTMENT

Major Beck who was part of the Antigonish merchant class took an active interest in the necessity of establishing fire protection for the town in organizing a company for this and you likely had to buy shares in the company to get fire protection. He organized its first fire brigade in 1864, the Rescue Fire Company, and ordered a Hand Held Pumper that arrived in 1865. His son Clarence was also a member. While we are not sure, of the original manufacturer, there are two suggestions on its type, either a "Honey man" tub by a company founded by John Hunneman in Boston or a William Jeffers pump from Pawtucket Rhode Island. It would be feat to get it to Antigonish in those days.

Unfortunately it arrived but not the suction hose to go with it. A barn of, Thomas T Trotter on the west side of Court St south of Main St burned, but the new pumper was still put to good use. It was supplied by from puncheons (wooden barrels), which were in turn supplied by bucket brigade from Brierly Brook. The hose that was missing appears to be the supply or suction hose used for drafting water. How the firemen got the water into the pump is a mystery.

The next reported large fire is in 1869, when Robert Trotter's, (a son of Thomas Trotter), barn burns, this one on the east side of Hawthrone St. with a lost of 70 head of cattle and a large quantity of hay. Today that barn would be where short section of Arbor Dr. connects Brookland and Hawthorne St.

On March 6, 1872 fire broke out in the Caledonia Hotel, now the site of the Royal Bank in Antigonish. The fire spread east to the St Andrew Hall next door, around where Wong Restaurant and Shoppers Drug Market is today and consumed this building. The hand held pumper drawing water from the hemlock well beside Saint James United Church sprayed water halting this fire before it jumped Sydney St.

In 1876 Martin Somers took over from Major William Beck as Captain of the Fire Rescue Company. All Chiefs of the Fire Dept. were known then as Captains rather than Chief, until about 1940 when the term Chief began to be used. He organized a picnic and sleigh ride to Marshy Hope in 1876. One wonders who was protecting the town in case of fire. Martin Somers, the only know member of the original brigade other than Major Beck and Clarence, gets new uniforms for the members. Today we do not know what these looked like, but in 1882 he again receives new uniforms manufactured by Cairns Bros of New York, who are still in business today.

In 1883 John S. O'Brien, a son of James O'Brien (Tanner) became Captain of the Fire Rescue Company. This man was very active in the Antigonish affairs. He only served the Fire Rescue Company for one year as Captain. He later was on the Town Council from 1891-1893. He also served as Mayor of Antigonish from 1903-1904 and again from 1919-1920. He was the Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus 1907-1908. He also served Antigonish Co as MLA in the Provincial Legislature from 1913-1916.

Benjamin F Power a merchant with both his house and store on Main St was the next Fire Captain starting in 1884 of the Fire Rescue Company. David Somers, a brother of Martin Somers, succeeded him in 1894. JJ (Jack the Barber) MacPherson followed, completing sixteen years service with the Fire Rescue Company in 1901.

Fire Captains after Jack MacPherson from 1901 to 1935 were in order, Peter (Paddy) MacDonald (carriage shop owner) W.S. (Stan) Copeland (Druggist), William (Bill) E Landry, (Contractor & later Mayor), James (The Painter) MacDonald, Rod MacDonald (Printer Casket), and James Bonner (Garage College St). In 1935 Gerry Sears (Foreman Eastern Auto) took over. Gerry Sears long time Fire Chief was popular with the men for many years, during and following the war in Antigonish.

The Hand Held Pumper was the main piece of equipment for about 28 years until the water system was contracted in 1892 and finished in 1893. It had long handles on each side for up to sixteen men to hold on to and operated it, as one side went up the other down to get the pump to create suction and pressure to hoses. Manning this pump was killing work even in those days. Leather hose was used with spiral seams held together with copper rivets.

Antigonish was fortunate for firefighting in that three rivers flow though the town, the West, Wrights, and Brierly Brook, for a supply of water. For the central parts of the town, there were several cisterns made of hemlock staves dug down to the water table. One was located as stated, alongside St James United Church, one on Court St. by Cunninghman's forge, and another at the corner of Pleasant and College. In the event of fire the hand held pumper would proceed to one of the rivers or one of these cisterns and a suction hose would be dropped down and the pumping would begin.

The Rescue Fire Company also bought a bell in 1888 to summon the firefighters, with a reported weight 704 pounds. There appeared to be a divided opinion on where to locate it. It is interesting to point out that the on the Bell itself it was Manufactured in Baltimore Maryland by the McShane Bell Foundry "Henry McShane Co. Ltd, still in business today. One section of the community wanted it placed in the cupola of the Antigonish post office. This would not be today' building as it was not built until 1905. It would be the old ST FXU building that the Federal government purchased. The greater numbers wanted it installed at the firehouse, which then was on Court St and so it was.

In 1911 the bell and the Fire Dept was moved to Sydney St. and a bell tower erected to be able also to hang and dry hose, an idea that was first proposed in August 1889. There are scant records of the tower, but at one point the tower came down and the bell was installed in a cupula on top of the Sydney St building roof. This bell was in service until the late 1950's when the old fire station was torn down and replaced with the current structure. The bell was stored in the back of the hall.

In January of 1889 the Town on Antigonish had it first council meeting and at its July meeting on that year the By-Laws of The Rescue Fire Engine Company are approved by the town council. It would appear that the fire dept now came under the control of Town Council but would still answer calls in the county, as this was the agreement up to 1985.

At the Nov 1889 meeting of the Town Council, the firemen wanted the town to purchase a new steam engine/pump worth $4500 to replace the hand held pumper. It must have become a public issue as the Town Council called a public meeting in the Courthouse and a vote is taken of the ratepayers, and it is 63 against and 55 for. So began from the very first year of Town incorporation the issue of the firemen always trying to get the town to pay for new gear.

The Hand Held Pumper can still be seen at the Antigonish Heritage Museum, today in fine shape. It was stored in the Antigonish fire hall until 1989, when it was taken out and restored by a committee of firemen led by Louis Grant for the Highland Games parade, in conjunction with the Town of Antigonish's centennial. It was paraded in Antigonish that year and also in the town of Stellerton. In 2014 the 150th year of the fire Dept. it was taken from the museum and paraded again with the bell for the Highland Games, and then returned to the museum for safe keeping and display.

A few articles in the Casket mention that the Hand Help Pumper was in use until 1892 when a new water system was installed, and then it use was discontinued or made unnecessary as the installation of the water lines with its excellent pressure would be adequate to fight any fire. As any general in the army will tell you he never has enough troops or any good Fire Chief will tell there is never enough firefighting equipment. For example on July 5, 1898 Mount Saint Bernard suffered a fire and the hand held pumper was used for hours. JP MacLean father of Butch MacLean told Jimmy Landry a later fire Chief that it was used for hours while relays of men pumped water from Brierly Brook up the hill to the Mount in an effort to save the buildings. Dr Patrick Walsh's book THE HISTORY OF ANTIGONISH, reports that the firemen are hampered by high pressure which bursts their hoses. There is a fuzzy picture at the Antigonish Heritage Museum, of the Fire Dept fighting this fire. It is hard to make out much action, except some ladders on the side of the building.

And so it was not retired immediately, and was stored in the fire hall right up to 1989, the centennial of the Town of Antigonish and then moved to the museum. If the Hand Held pumper was not used then how did firemen fight fires? With Antigonish's water system installed in 1892 and connected hydrants the Fire dept. was by then equipped with hose Carts.

The 1916 Board of Trade Book on Antigonish notes the Antigonish Fire Dept. is equipped with three hose Carts and 1500 feet of hose. It also states that, Antigonish had a Hook and Ladder Cart "which gives it efficient fire protection." How hose carts works is mentioned in the THE CASKET, June 30, 1892. The Antigonish Tire Dept. went to a sports event in Charlottetown and entered the Hose-cart race. This race consisted of running 300 feet with the cart (fourteen men), to a hydrant and attaching the hose to a hydrant, running out 200 feet of hose and coupling the branch pipe. The hose unwound from a large Spool between the hose carts wheels. This description is today what firemen call a forward lay and the branch pipe is called a wye which reduces the hose size and increases the pressure of the water leaving the end equipped with a nozzle to further increase pressure. This firefighting tactic was used by firemen in Antigonish to fight fires 100 years ago, and is still done today, only with trucks to assist. There is no mention that the local boys won anything in Charlottetown that day.

In 1918 there was an improvement in service when in the home of Sherwood MacDonald on the corner of Sydney and St Mary's, a house that stand today, the Antigonish town installed a telephone. Sherwood, if he received a call would go to the hall and start ringing the bell.

In 1919 there was a big fire at St F X University when a student arsonist from Sydney set three fires, all in the east wing of Xavier hall. The first two are put out without much loss, but because of the third fire 300 students have to be fed despite the mess. World War One veteran and fireman Alex MacNaughton and brother of long term fireman Ernest MacNaughton was seriously injured fighting this fire. St F XU brings in a detective from Halifax, and he with the help of two students entraps the arsonist into revealing himself. He is sent home at once.

I interviewed, James Landry former Fire Chief on March 23, 2003 and as far as he knows the next piece if equipment is a Ford Model A truck that could pump 500 gallons a minute. It was the only truck the town fire dept had during some mayor fires in the first half of the 1900's this truck lasted until 1941 when the Dept. bought the 1941 International pumper/ladder truck, second hand from the Halifax airport. The 1941 pumper boasted an open cab with a fold down window on the front. The ladders were store over the head of the driver.

Some of the fires fought in Antigonish in the years before the World War Two were major fires. Most construction in the Town of Antigonish was wood, and when fire broke out it was a major concern to keep it from spreading. A major fire this sort would be the Nov 5, 1932 fire which started in Chevrolet Sales Co Garage on College St. and spread to the following buildings; The MacPhee building, DD MacDonald's Clothing store, Alex MacIsaac's barn, at the rear of DD's, The Casket office on College ST, where Piper's Pup and a parking lot are today. Two firemen, Al Rutherford and Earl Murray were knocked unconscious, and pinned beneath a crashing telephone pole during this fire.

Another major fire would be the Jan 1937, fire which started in Brines building, and spread through its windows to the next building owned by J Ralph Kirk. It also spread to a business called the Delight Café run by Willie Lee, and to the ground floor of McKenna's Drug store. All through these years the fire Dept was summoned by the huge bell in the Cupula on the roof of the hall. During this Jan fire there was a winter blizzard hitting Antigonish and even though the bell was being rung many firemen did not hear it, as the wind was carrying the sound away. It had to be rung again and again to get the majority of the firemen out. Some Firemen that fought this fire are, Ronan Somers, Bill Fraser, Mike MacDonald, and Gerald Sears, who had a narrow escape when a hot piece of zinc fell on his shoulder from the roof three stories above.

No story of the Antigonish Fire Dept would be complete without the arson story of 1938 when a gentlemen nicknamed "Flex the Cat", started many fires in town and when he was finally caught he was thrown in the jail. The local jail, run by locals who knew everyone, was very casually run and he was allowed to come and go as he pleased and he started more arson fires at night, with no one expecting him to have the boldness to do this. When the jailers and policemen realized what was happening the cell door was finally locked as standard practice. So was Antigonish in the 1930's.

On April 8, 1939 the Great West End fire broke out in K Sweet's Hardware store at 2.30 PM and before it was over 16 building burnt down. The Model A Pumper was stationed at Brierly Brook by Whidden's Bridge. Embers from this fire set the roof of the Antigonish Wholesalers on fire two blocks away but it was put out by spreading salt from their stock, as all regular fire equipment was busy in the West End. The New Glasgow Fire Dept was called to help, but they rolled their truck on the way down to Antigonish and arrived too late to be of much help. There are many excellent pictures of this fire in Pat Walsh's book, THE HISTORY OF ANTIGONISH, on page 220 and 221. Note the absence of fire equipment such as helmets and coats on the men manning the hoses.

On Sept 26, 1940 a year after World War Two had started, some Antigonish residents must have wondered if the war came home when Crystal Cleaners boiler on Church St exploded and landed a block away with out harming anyone.

As World War Two, grew into a major conflict, the Fire Dept was faced with a shortage of manpower, and new members were brought on as a result of public pressure, to ensure that the firedept had enough staff. The membership was beefed up to 32 members, up from the usual 15 to 20 members. Gerald Sears was fire Chief during the War years until 1947. Antigonish also saw air raid sirens installed in town. One was placed at the fire hall and the second on a telephone pole at the corner of Hawthrone and Main and is there today. Alexander (Stuffy) MacDonald was the leader of this committee. This in addition to the bell was how fire Dept members were summoned.

In 1946, Mockler Hall's roof while it was being repaired caught fire and so much water was pumped up to the roof by the fire dept that it was running out the front door. Some things do not change. Two weeks after this fire, the Dept purchased a 1946 Ford 500 gallons a minute pumper. This was the last new truck until 1968, when a GMC was bought from the Eastern Auto, with an 840-gallon a minute pump.

Frank Smith of Church St took over from Gerald Sears in 1947 and was Chief about four years. Frank was a blacksmith whose forge was also on Church St., where the law office of Chisholm and Gillies is today. A spectacular fire faced by Chief Smith was the Antigonish Co Home on the Lochaber Road, for the mentally ill and other people shall we say down on their luck. Another fire, on Dec 25, 1947 was the Dingle Restaurant in South River, which burned to the ground.

The Fire Chief during the 1950's in Antigonish was Leo (Long Leo) Chisholm. Leo was a merchant in Antigonish who ran an Ice Cream factory located behind the present Royal Bank. Leo was very involved in Antigonish activities, being on Antigonish Town Council from 1952-1960, almost in conjunction with his tenure as Fire Chief of 1951-1961. Leo was also a long time member of the Knights of Columbus for many years, being on many honor guards for the local council.

James (Jimmy) Landry took over from Leo Chisholm in 1961 and was Fire Chief for twenty-one years, until 1981. In 1960 the hall on Sydney Street was torn down and replaced with the current structure opened in 1961. The trucks were stored in the back of Frank Smith's Forge during construction. The doors the trucks used faced College St. The Fire Dept shared the new hall with the town office personnel and the police dept, until the two latter groups moved into the old post office. The old bell on the roof was removed and stored in the back off the hall for 44 years.

After the new hall was built the dept held a banquet to update their Honor Roll. Some of the members who received certificates are Roddie MacInnis, Carl McVicar, Roy Cunningham, Art Dunphy, Hughie Rod MacDonald, Alexander (Stuffie) MacDonald, Gil MacEachern, Frank Smith, Gerry Sears, Cyril Sears, Ernie Gourley, and Nick Landry.

A problem that affects all volunteer dept is that men are not on duty at the fire station and sometimes respond directly to the fire. Some had their own vehicles and brought their gear (fire coats and helmets) with them. Some men did not have this advantage. Under the leadership of Wally MacMillian with the new hall and room for it the fire dept obtained its first van. It was not intended to be a rescue van but more of a transporter of firemen's personal gear. It did this job as the current van does. Over the years more gear was installed and the rescue company came about.

All through these years the Fire Dept was kept very busy, and some of the notable fires of these years are 1961's Jack Mah's Confectionery, Wongs Restaurant fire, The Celtic Hall fire in 1962, and the 1965 Capital Theatre fire on Oct 21.

The Capital Theatre Fire according to one author was a major benchmark in Antigonish history as the legend has it, that the movie to be shown next, "Fanny Hill" was too "hot" for Antigonish. The actual cause of the fire was that Dr. M E Morrison left some sterilization equipment on and it went dry, which resulted in the fire. The hairdresser in the building at the time was Shalia Gillis from East End Antigonish. She had to get out of the building by climbing over the marquee, (The front sign hung by chains). She then climbed on top of the boom of the Eastern Auto Service truck placed under the marquee by Fireman Louie Grant.

Another major incident was a crash of a helicopter, on Oct 13, 1968. It ended up on the East bank of the Wrights River down by the Antigonish Landing area with two men injured. The fire dept personnel waded across the river and removed both men and took them to St Martha's hospital.

On May 28, 1972, the horrific MacIntyre Fire on Highland Drive, where four members of one family died, ranks as the worst in Antigonish for lives lost. There were also train wrecks and accidents in Afton and James River. These incidents were at times for the men in the fire dept, memories that they will carry with them the rest of their lives.

On Feb 8, 1981 the old 5 to $1.00 store goes up in flames in a huge fire with flames 100 ft in the air. There are no injuries but the building is a total loss. Donald MacLellan took over as Chief in 1982 from James Landry and has led the Fire Dept for 22 years.

In the early eighties the fire dept was responding to more and more car accidents and some of the methods used to get people out of cars were not very refined. Mostly it was done with axes and pry bars, and this took time. The Dept, which stared a bingo in 1960, under Frank (Pop) Gerrior, used the profits to purchase a set of equipment called the "Jaws of Life". This purchase has proved it worth many times. This set from a company called Hurst Tool Company, were developed in the United States to remove drivers from accidents at Racing Car Events. This set of equipment was updated in the early nineties with a new motor and also ram attachments for additional flexibility in dealing with trapped victims.

Another addition in 1978 was the GMC truck called the "EILEEN". It was named after long-term town councilor Eileen Cameron Henry who was a champion of the Fire Dept at Council meetings. This is an 840 Gallon a minute pumper. This truck was a very good truck and is in service today. It pumped a lot of water on a bitter cold day of Jan 4, 1984 when the old West End Market went up in flames. It was one of the last three stories building on Main St. and is so badly damaged that it has to be demolished.

In 1985 the agreement of over 100 years came to an end when the County of Antigonish formed a new fire Dept. for the fringe area. New fire depts. had already started in Harve Boucher, Tracadie, Pomquet, Maryvale, St Andrews, and the North Shore at Cape George. The County of Antigonish had supplied, the Town Fire Dept with a truck chassis and the town, the tank for county fires. The men in the Town Fire Dept who operated this truck responded to county calls. The expression used within the fire Dept, was "on county call' to indicate that you were on stand by for the county that weekend. The Town Fire Dept purchased a new Chassis for their tank, a 1986 GMC and formed a new Tanker company.

A major fire to start off the 1990's was on May 10, 1990 in the evening when DDMacDonald's Ltd Clothing Store on Main St caught fire. The 1968 GMC Pumper was stationed in front of the building while the 1978 GMC pumper "THE EILEEN" was used to pump water from hydrant on the Corner of College and Main. The fire was contained, but the old part of the structure sustained heavy damage.

In an effort to improve the fire protection to the town of Antigonish the firemen in 1991 led an effort to purchase a ladder truck. It was a growing concern for the Dept on the increasing height of the buildings in Antigonish. A second hand 1971 Ford is purchased in Mississauga Ontario. The firemen raised the money to pay for half of this truck and the town of Antigonish paid the other half. It has a 100' Ladder with an 840-gallon Hale pump. The 1941 Ladder truck is retired at this time. The Ladder truck entered service in Late 1991. It its first action is a flue fire at Irving MacGibbon's house on St Mary's St. It also proves its worth when the CN train and shipping depot on Haley Road, goes up in flames that year.

In 1995, the Firemen themselves purchased with their own funds a 1994 Ford E350 van with a 16-foot fiberglass box to build as new rescue van. The firemen themselves did work on the van that winter; make it suitable for the gear to be loaded on it. It carries a vast array of equipment, including the Hurst 32 B hydraulic JAWS OF LIFE, with all its attachments. Other gear is Scott Air Packs, and storage for member's turnout gear, a new Bullard Thermal imager camera, a 5000-watt generator and lighting equipment. It has set up in the Van two SCBA's as walk aways. Firemen can don the equipment on route to the scene if so required.

In 1996 the tank on the 1986 tanker truck was in bad shape. It was an old steel oil tank with an 1800-gallon capacity but it put the truck overweight on the scales even with no water in it. The tank was continuously being welded to stop the leaks and finally Fire Chief Donald MacLellan had the truck sent to Gordon M MacDonald's shop in Waycocomagh.This shop specialized in Alumumin welding and fire Trucks. The chassis or frame on the truck was lengthened and the old steel tank replaced with an all aluminum tank of 1500-gallon capacity. This greatly improved this truck. The tanker company is an excellent first response unit which can quickly get a hose line charged at a scene. It buys the volunteer Fire Dept time until pumper units can be bought into action, after hook up to the hydrants.

In the spring and summer of 2000 The Town Fire Dept fought three major fires. The first is on the corner of Bay and Adam Streets, where one person died in this fire. The second is the Heavy Horse barn on the exhibition grounds, and third is the environmental depot. This was John F MacLellan's former mill. The last two fires are suspected arson fires. The ladder truck is very useful during these fires as it enables the Dept to get large quantities of water up high to knock down the flames.

On June 7, 2001, the Town Fire Dept took possession of a new GMC TopKick Truck with a 1050 Gallon a minute pump and an interior Cab for the pump controls built by Medalfab from New Brunswick. This was major purchase by the town, and it replaced the 1968 GMC pumper, which was sold to the Four Valley's Fire Dept. (Maryvale). The new truck went into action the first time on Nov 21, of the same year, when a house on Acadia Street, being rented by students goes up in flames. Three students escape this fire unharmed, but a fourth student Jason Barrett is severely burned in the fire. He gets out by jumping from the second floor.

Chief Donald MacLellan retired at the end of 2003, and Robert MacPherson is elected Chief of the Fire Dept. He is the Grandson of Alex "Sam" MacPherson long time caretaker of the old firewall.

The Antigonish Town Fire Dept., reached 140 years' service to the town of Antigonish in the fall of 2004 and in Celebration the Fire Dept. put a float in the Highland games parade, with the original town Fire Bell on the float that summer. After the parade it went back into storage.

Under the leadership of Chief Robert MacPherson and with the cooperation of the Town of Antigonish the fire Dept., purchased a new Chassis from Eastern Auto and sent to Lantz Truck Bodies in Port William Nova Scotia to me made into a custom designed Rescue Truck. The 1994 E350 Ford Van had reached it weight limit on what could be done with it and a more heavy duty Truck was need. It is a 2005 GMC. The Truck was finished and entered service on March 24, 2006. This heavy Duty Truck carries 8 members and a much heavier load than the old van. One of its first calls is to Maryvale with a roll over with the car landing on its side against trees and a woman trapped.

On Dec 4, 2006 Robert stepped down as Chief for personal reasons and Derek Geldart was elected Chief. The 1989 Ford Ladder Truck is now the next truck slated to be replaced. This Gas power truck is now having starting problems as the old fuel pump is worn out and brakes are rough Shape. Repairs were carried out for the brakes at Scotia Diesel, but the Fuel pump worked had to be at Keltic Motors using the experience of mechanic Benny Smeek. He installed an electrical pump that you turned on before starting engine to bring the fuel pressure up. This worked well for a while. On July 07, 2007 the old carriage house behind the Royal George caught fire, likely arson and the old Ladder truck in action for quite a few hours and itself suffered a wiring fire in the cab under the dash. It was put out and repairs were done, and a new drive to replace this truck began.

On Aug 07, 2007 Antigonish Town fire fights a huge barn fire in Harbour Centre at Jack Thompson's fire. The Ford Ladder truck's alternator quits and the truck is again out of the action. Repairs are need to the Steering that same month. The fire Dept. fights a large house fire on Bantry Lane in January 2008. This Fire started in the detached garage and the home next door is threatened.

Derek Geldart Stepped down as Fire Chief for personal reason on Dec 01, 2008 and Robert MacPherson takes over again and the work on a Ladder truck continues. Arrangements are made in June 2009 to purchase a 2009 Pierce 105' Aerial Ladder from Micmac Fire and Safety. Before the truck arrives the old Ford Ladder truck is called into action again at a barn fire at Kennedy's Barn and it does great work at its last call, keeping the fire from spreading to another barn.

The new truck arrives in Oct 2009 to the relief of the Dept. and time is spent training and rigging the truck out. It first fire is on July 17, 2010 when it is used as a regular pumper at a house fire on Viewville St. It deploys hose to the Tanker for interior attack at a basement fire.

Chief Robert MacPherson resigns for personal reasons in July 2010 and Deputy Chief Jody MacDonald takes over the Fire Dept. On Dec 06, 2010 Bill Chisholm is elected Chief, with Jody MacDonald First Deputy Chief with Marty MacDonald as 2nd Deputy.

One Dec 10 Fire Dept. is called to House fire in Fairmont Antigonish Co and the Ladder Truck is used as a first attack truck up the driveway. The ladder truck deploys all its attack hose to hit the fire from several different angles. The next big fire for the Ladder truck is a huge composite fire in Afton Antigonish co. This fire requires a large amount of Water with the ladder truck being supplied by pumps at ponds and a water shuttle with truck from, Harve Bouchie, Tracadie and Pomquet Fire Depts.

On Feb 12, 2012, with a project to revamp the building the renovation of 3 rooms in the fire hall begins. The Chief's office the old bathroom and the old corner room downstairs are turned into one training room with chairs and overhead projector. The Chief's office moves upstairs to the upstairs Corner Room.

The fire Dept. in 2013 now approaching its 150th year in operation decided to display the bell in a better fashion. Members Gerard Purcell looked up on the internet the name on the bell, and he McShane Bell Foundry "Henry McShane Co. Ltd, was still in business 125 years later and it was packed up and sent to Baltimore Maryland. It was cleaned up and redone with a new stand for 2014, and it was paraded on a float behind the old pumper with retired members ringing it on the parade route. After the parade it is placed in foyer of the hall for display.

The fire dept. is called to action on August 2014 at a huge house fire at Terra Tory Dr. raced through the roof and water shuttled by Antigonish Co and North Shore Depts. to the Town Trucks. The Ladder Truck has to be used to knock down the fire from above.

By 2016, it was obvious that both the 1986 GMC Tanker and 1978 GMC Pumper (Eileen) had to be replaced. The issue facing the Fire Dept. was that it needs features of both trucks in the new truck to replace these units. It was several months of looking at various types of trucks that only a Custom Built Pumper Tanker would fit in the hall with the required amount of water and size of pump. A Tender was put out and the truck was a Pierce Maxi Saber design out fitted at Maxi Metal in St George's Quebec. The truck arrived in the on August 31, 2019, and was outfitted the next day. A truck roll out as held and with the Antigonish Fire Dept. forward continuing to serve the citizens of the Town and County of Antigonish .

Firefighter Bill Landry