New Westminster Fire Department was organized by the Municipal Council and given the name Hyack Company No. 1. The responsibility of the ‘Hyack Brigade’ was the protection of the town from flames sparked by bush fires as the settlement was mostly wooden buildings. On July 24, 1861 Council elected New Westminster's first Fire Chief and Assistant Fire Chief. On August 1, 1861, a Captain, First Lieutenant, Secretary and Treasurer were chosen.

 

Governor Douglas granted monies to the ‘Hyack Brigade’ for a piece of property to build a Fire Hall and to purchase a hand drawn fire engine (hand pumper). The building was completed in July 1862 on Columbia Street and Sixth Street. This building was known as Hyack Hall. At this time the Hyack Brigade provided protection for approximately 150 buildings and a total population of 1,800 people.

 

Above is a photograph of a print of a watercolor sketch by Frederick Whymper which shows a circa 1864 view of downtown New Westminster. The building with the cupola/tower on its roof is the 1862 Hyack Engine house. 

 

The new hand drawn fire engine, the Fire King was purchased in San Francisco and was to be housed at Hyack Hall. The Fire King arrived in New Westminster on April 9, 1963. A water tank for firefighting purposes was constructed at the rear of the fire station in late 1863.

 

One of the most disastrous fires in the early history of New Westminster occurred in June 1864 at the Camp (Sapperton). It started from a forest fire which raged through dry timber and logging slash and spread quickly, consuming the theatre and three Sapperton residences.

 

In March 1870, the Municipal Council approved the construction of five water tanks to be located at Mary Street and Royal Avenue, Blackwood Street and Columbia Street, Merivale Street and Agnes Street, Douglas Street and Royal Avenue and at the Convent.

 

The Hyack Brigade organized the first May Day celebrations on May 4, 1870, which became an important yearly celebration in New Westminster and still is to this day. 

 

Above is the first May Day in 1870 which took place on the old cricket grounds. Shown are the Hyack Fire Brigade, Fire Wagon, May Queen and crowd. The first May Queen, Nellie McColl, is standing on the fire engine.

 

One of the most notable fires that the Hyack Brigade fought began on September 10, 1898, on the Front Street Wharf. The fire had originated in several tons of hay stored on the wharf, which extended approximately 200 feet along the waterfront. In a short time, the fire spread to adjacent buildings and devastated an entire portion of the city. Hyack Hall was destroyed in the fire.

 

A few months after the great fire Hyack Company was reorganized as the City of New Westminster Fire Department and was comprised of ten paid members. Six Fire Halls were constructed and located throughout the City.

 

Above shows Columbia Street after the Great New Westminster fire Sept 11th, 1898.

 

From 1898 to 1919 the horse played an important role in firefighting. It was the primary means of pulling the fire engines to a fire and added greater speed in responding to fire calls. Each fire engine had a team of three horses, one driver, one Captain and one horseman.

 

Above shows a three horse fire wagon and crew at the No. 2 Hall. Sandy Davidson, driver. George Reid, beside him. Fred Kellington, in the back.

 

This historic fire engine represents a milestone in the evolution of the New Westminster Fire Department. It saw the first pumper truck used by the fire department and one of the first Triple Combination fire trucks (hose, ladders, pumper) in the Pacific Northwest. 

 

• Built November 15th, 1928

• Mack Two Stage Centrifugal Pump, rated at 1000GPM

• 50 Gallon Water Tank

• 1000’ of 2-1/2” Hose

• 100’ Booster Hose Reel

• 150’ Preconnect Hoseline

• Continental Inline 6 Cylinder OHV Gas Engine

• Horsepower: 232 BHP @ 2800 R.P.M.

• Torque: 485 Ft Labs @ 120 R.P.M.

• Fuel: Approximately 5 M.P.G.

 

Above shows the Mack fire truck of the New Westminster Fire Department fully assembled in Los Angeles prior to shipment to New Westminster in 1929.

 

A complete frame off restoration was financed and carried out by the Firefighters of New Westminster over a period of one and a half years, with completion in the spring of 1993. All restoration work was performed by skilled firefighters who volunteered their time during their off duty hours. The Mack is fully operational and appears at multiple events around the City, including the annual Hyack Parade in May and the Fire Department’s annual Open House in October.

 

Above is the Mack Pumper at No. 1 Hall in 2026.