File - Firefighters Museum​​of Calgary

FIREFIGHTERS MUSEUM
OF CALGARY
Annual Report 2015
USING OUR COLLECTION!
We recently came across this Joe Lewko photograph of a CFD firefighter during training
exercises (circa 1960s) in our collection and put it straight to work! Not only can you see it
here but it can also be found on our website & prominently featured on our Mobile Museum
at Lougheed House & Draft Horse town!
Cover image: Light Duty Firefighter Mitch Vevang dons his duty gear for Firecrackers, a
museum program geared for 4 – 6 year olds! This session of Firecrackers took place
during ‘Sunkidz’ at Sunridge Mall, August 5, 2015.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Message from the President and the CEO
Page 4-5
Board of Directors
Pages 6-9
Committees
Pages 10 -11
Objects of the Society
Page 12
Mission and Vision
Page 13
Accomplishments
Pages 14 - 24
Acknowledgements
Page 25 - 28
Financial Statements - Schedule ‘A'
Page 31
Membership Matters! - Schedule ‘B’
Page 32
The Firefighters Museum of Calgary Annual Report covers the period from
January 1 – December 31, 2015, to coincide with the Museum’s fiscal year.
This report is issued each year in March.
Firefighters Museum of Calgary
P.O. Box 2100, Stn M. #41
Calgary, Alberta
T2P 2M5
www.calgaryfiremuseum.com
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THE FIREFIGHTERS MUSEUM OF CALGARY:
PART OF THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1885
A MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO, FIRE CHIEF STEVE DONGWORTH AND
PRESIDENT RUSSELL STRATTON
The Calgary Fire Department has been an integral part of the community since 1885. As in the
past and moving forward, the Firefighters Museum of Calgary pledges to honour, preserve and
promote that legacy through the creation of meaning-filled experiences and purpose driven
collections, exhibitions and programs. Even though we were still looking for a permanent
location in 2015, our staff and volunteers could be seen at events throughout the city,
celebrating firefighters, past present and in the future.
We started the year off with the Diaknonos (now Legacy) St. Patrick’s Day Run and ended with
the Heritage Fair at the Calgary Public Library. We encouraged creativity with our Art & Artefact
programs and maintained tradition with the Lives, Legacies & Legends of the Calgary Fire
Brigade cemetery tour in July as well as the Fallen Firefighters Memorial held on the First
Tuesday in September.
We promoted curiosity and discovery as we arrived in our 1929 Gotfredson Bickle, or presented
pint sized uniforms for kids to try on! We taught fire safety, encouraged teamwork and ignited
imaginations with our outreach programs - whether it was large crowds at Heritage Park on
Canada Day or more intimate gatherings at local shopping and community centres.
We used our museum collections to actively engage groups in the community, often
participating in a shared knowledge experience. We listened to both our current and retired
firefighters and ensured their stories were documented.
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A selection of artefacts from the 1970’s
landed a starring role in an episode of Fargo
and we proudly crossed the city’s first
rainbow crosswalk with the Calgary Fire
Honour Guard, IAFF 255 and the Calgary
Fire Pipes and Drums.
The museum shared resources with
researchers and invited visitors to our
collections space. We continued to develop
exhibitions for presentation at public spaces
during Fire Prevention Week, the Calgary
Stampede and beyond.
By attending group functions, and holding regular coffee meetings at the museum, our staff
garnered public trust through new relationships and continued to build on our existing ties with
firefighters and their families.
Most importantly, we continued to foster a sense of community by understanding differences
and sharing commonalities and encouraging civic engagement whenever and wherever we go.
Staying relevant through social connection, building a gathering place, and creating somewhere
people want to be, doesn’t always require physicality. With skilled staff, passionate volunteers,
and a history that has been part of the community since 1885, we appeal to people of all ages
and backgrounds, providing the start for an ongoing conversation that will take us further than
anyone ever expected.
Respectfully submitted,
CEO & Fire Chief Steve Dongworth
President Russell Stratton
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THE MUSEUM’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2015
Chief Executive Officer
Steve Dongworth
Fire Chief, Calgary Fire Department
What do you feel was the Museum’s
Greatest Achievement for 2015?
The museum’s presence in Draft Horse
Town at Stampede.
What are you looking forward to most
for the Museum in 2016?
[Working on] The Jeff De Boer and Cory
Barkman Sculpture
President
Russell Stratton
What is your Favourite Museum Moment for
2015?
The digital archive of old photos. Some great
windows into the past and scenes of historic
Calgary.
What are you looking forward to most for the
Museum in 2016?
The continuing partnerships with Lougheed House
and Draft Horse Town at the Stampede. Great ways
to interact with the wider community.
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Recording Secretary
Heather Neustaedter
What is your Favourite Museum Moment for
2015?
Watching the children dressing up as firefighters
at the different events, they had so much fun
doing it.
What are you looking forward to most for the
Museum in 2016?
Seeing what new treasure(s) will be found in the
collection.
Director
Brian Freney
Captain (retired), Calgary Fire Department
What is your Favourite Museum Moment for
2015?
The Stampede, the Cappy Smart Memorial
[Lives, Legacies & Legends of the Calgary Fire
Brigade] and doing Fire Prevention Week with
the Mobile Museum at the Lougheed House.
What are you looking forward to most for
the Museum in 2016?
The restoration of our 1951 Bickle.
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Director
Carol Henke
Public Information Officer, Calgary Fire
Department
What do you feel was the Museum’s Greatest
Achievement for 2015?
Overcoming the challenge of being without a
permanent home to properly display the wonderful
artifacts & tell their stories. The point of a bricks and
mortar museum space is for people to visit, learn &
be inspired. When in transition with vague timelines
& daily uncertainty, the task of staying relevant,
maintaining momentum and creating continued
interest is a very difficult undertaking. The museum
has managed to overcome this incredible obstacle
by becoming mobile & going out into the community
as well as using social media to keep up public
engagement. Well done!
What are you looking forward to most for the Museum in 2016?
Finalized plans for a permanent home and a move in date.
Director
Brian McAsey, Assistant Deputy
Chief, Calgary Fire Department
What is your Favourite Museum Moment for
2015? Tough question given that there were
great installations and events in 2015 it isn’t an
easy chore to winnow it down to one. My
favourite Museum Moment for 2015 was the
work done during Stampede since not only was
my family really impressed but I met people
from all over Canada and even the world who
stopped in to find out about the history, legacy
and artifacts of the CFD. The new exhibit was a
great addition and the FMC family was
incredible with their energy, knowledge and
passion.
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Director
Martin Ralph
Health and Safety Officer, Calgary
Fire Department
What is your Favourite Museum
Moment for 2015? My favorite
Favourite Museum Moment for 2015 was
when 1.5 year old son and I sat on
Maggie the Aerial together.
What are you looking forward to most
for the Museum in 2016?
I am looking forward to representing the
Firefighters Museum of Calgary at the
Calgary Firefit event at Spruce Meadows
this coming June.
Past President
Quinton Dube
Treasurer
Fletcher Campbell
Director
Jamie Blayney, Firefighter 3, Calgary Fire Department Director
Stephen Joo, Lieutenant, Calgary Fire Department
Director
Garry Saunders, Fire Prevention Bureau (retired), Calgary Fire Department
Director
Joe Zatylny, Deputy Chief, Calgary Fire Department
Executive Director
Rebecca Melenka
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COMMITTEES
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The Executive Committee is a standing committee of the Board responsible for the continuity
and operation of the Society between Board meetings. The Committee has all of the powers of
the Board between meetings of the Board. It is responsible for policy recommendations relating
to governance issues.
THE BOARD DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
The Board Development Committee shall be a standing committee of the Board responsible for
succession planning in the Board and for policy recommendations relating to governance issues
COLLECTIONS COMMITTEE
The Collections Committee shall be a standing committee of the Board responsible for the
approval or rejection of acquisitions. It is also responsible for policy recommendations relating to
governance and operational issues.
MARKETING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE
The Marketing and Public Relations Committee is a standing committee of the Board
responsible for protecting and enhancing the public image of the Society and the generation of
income through the development of marketing and communications policies. It is also
responsible for policy recommendations relating to governance and operational issues.
FUND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
AMERICAN ALLIANCE OF
MUSEUMS: “HOW ARE
MUSEUMS FUNDED? “
The Fund Development Committee shall be a standing
TYPICAL MUSEUM DIRECTOR:
“PRECARIOUSLY.”
also responsible for policy recommendations relating to
committee of the Board responsible for planning, organizing
and executing the Society’s fundraising campaigns. It is
governance and operational issues.
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FRIENDS OF THE MUSEUM
COMMITTEE
The Friends of the Museum Committee
shall be a standing committee of the
Board responsible for the stewardship of
new members, sponsors and
partnerships to support and facilitate the
Museum’s Mission, Vision, as well as the
Objects of the Society. This committee
should work in conjunction with the Fund
Development Committee.
SPECIAL EVENTS COMMITTEE
The Special Events Committee shall be a standing committee of the Board responsible for are
responsible for planning, promoting, coordinating and running events on behalf of The
Firefighters Museum of Calgary, as well as seeking out opportunities to further promote the
Museum’s Mission, Vision, as well as the Objects of the Society.
EXHIBITION COMMITTEE
At the direction of the current Firefighters Museum Society Board of Directors, the Exhibition
Committee meets to discuss, determine and facilitate exhibition development to further the
mission and vision of the Firefighters Museum Society of Calgary. Sub-committees could be
formed for specific initiatives or projects.
ANTIQUE APPARATUS COMMITTEE
At the direction of the current Firefighters Museum Society Board of Directors, the Antique
Apparatus Committee meets to determine, discuss and facilitate the usage of the FMSC Antique
Apparatus Collection.
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OBJECTS OF THE SOCIETY
The Firefighters Museum Society, Calgary
The Firefighters Museum Society Calgary (FMSC) is responsible for
achieving the following Objects of the Society (Bylaws 3.1, 2009):
The FMSC acquires, conserves, restores, and maintains fire apparatus,
equipment, memorabilia, photographic materials, and artwork with special,
but not exclusive, reference to the Calgary Fire Department and its
firefighters
To promote appreciation for the history of the Calgary Fire Department, its employees and
retirees
To promote learning about and sharing of the history of the Calgary Fire Department and its
firefighters for the benefit of the citizens of, and visitors to, the city of Calgary
To lease, purchase or acquire facilities to house the Society and its collection
To exhibit fire apparatus, firefighting pictures, equipment, and memorabilia
To raise funds to achieve the objects of the Society. This includes accepting gifts, donations,
grants, legacies, bequests, and inheritances
To use funds of the Society only according to and in pursuit of these objects or other charitable
objects
M USEUMS CHANGE LIVES . THEY ENRICH INDIVIDUALS , CONTRIBUTE TO
STRONG & R ESILIENT COMMUNITIES , & H ELP CREATE A FAIR & J UST
S OCIETY . M USEUMS IN TURN ARE I MMENSELY ENRICHED BY THE SKILLS
& CREATIVITY OF THE P UBLIC . – UK M USEUMS ASSOCIATION
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MISSION AND VISION
The Firefighters Museum Society Calgary operates the Firefighters Museum of Calgary
in order to accomplish the aforementioned Objects of the Society.
MISSION
The Firefighters Museum of Calgary is dedicated to all the firefighters who have come before
us, to those who have lost their lives in the line of duty, to survivors of adversity and to those
whose lives were changed forever by the noble pursuits of the firefighter. We are here to
preserve, promote and honour the legacy of the Calgary Fire Department and its firefighters for
generations to come. Our collections, exhibitions and programs will be purpose driven to
educate our visitors about the history of Firefighting in Calgary and its surrounding areas from
inception to present day.
VISION
The Firefighters Museum of Calgary will maintain and strengthen its role as the guardian of
firefighting history, both tangible and intangible, in Calgary and surrounding areas. The museum
will foster a greater appreciation for the vital role that firefighting has played and continues to
play in our local, regional and national community.
NEW PROPOSED MUSEUM MISSION STATEMENT:
The Firefighters Museum of Calgary is dedicated to the
celebration of firefighters, past, present and future.
We pledge to honour, preserve and promote the legacy
of the Calgary Fire Department for generations to come.
We will create
meaning – filled experiences through purpose driven
collections, exhibitions & programs.
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COLLECTIONS
WHAT DID THE MUSEUM’S COLLECTIONS LOOK LIKE IN 2015?
Did you know that even though we have one museum, we have five different
collections? In order to better keep track of more than 5,000 objects and
more than 100 metres of archival material, we divided it into the following
categories: Library and Archives, Vehicle Collection, Museum Collection,
Education Collection and Props. We also have a special category for
collecting Oral Histories.
We had thirteen donors with over 300 objects. Objects collected range from a chrome plated
hydrant key to handcrafted cross stitches depicting fire hall legends. A curling stone fragment
from a historical fire to a large collection of fire related liquor bottles. Archival material ranged
from a complete scrapbook, multiple photographs, negatives, and digital media.
The Library and Archives saw almost five metres of material being processed. 337 items
received preventative conservation. We filed 733 items, created 357 folders, and catalogued
333 pieces. We unpacked 106 boxes, including over 300 station log books.
In the database, we relocated 1152 objects to their
proper location, uploaded more than 922 images in
our database, and cleaned up 1828 records using
standardized language and museum nomenclature.
Slicker, 1984, Cross Stitch by Spencer Fawkes. FMC Collection
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The museum spreads its surfaces everywhere, and becomes an untitled
collection of generalizations that mobilize the eye.
- Robert Smithson
We found 56 objects within the collection and assigned them appropriate catalogue numbers
making them legit! We completed backlog catalogue of 129 objects, fully catalogued 482
objects, created skeletal or partial records for 209 objects and even managed to create records
for 53 props!
We removed 22 unknown records causing small celebrations in our office every time we
matched up a found object with a missing record!
Talk about a working collection! We used more than 80 objects from our collection at exhibits,
events and programs throughout 2015.
Antique speaking trumpet and marble plaque presented to Fire Chief Wayne Morris upon his retirement in
2005. Donated to the Museum in 2015 by Mrs. Dale Morris.
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EXHIBITS
Fighting Fire with Fire
The Mobile Museum @ Draft Horse Town
July 2 – 12, 2015
From steam engines to wild fires, the Calgary Fire Department has been fighting fire
with fire for more than a century. In 1886, Calgary purchased its first horse drawn steam
engine after the community’s first major fire.
Jump ahead to 2015, and if you're managing a farm, forest or grassland, it often pays to
conduct a controlled burn. In this scenario, wildlife managers set fire to an area under
controlled conditions, burning fuel that could potentially feed a future wildfire. The burn
creates a manmade firebreak, or gap, in combustible material to contain spreading
wildfires.
History of the Fire Prevention Bureau
City Hall Atrium
September 29 – November 1, 2015
Fire Prevention Week began in memoriam to the Great
Chicago Fire and the lesser known but equally devastating
Peshtigo Fire, both occurring on October 8, 1871. Using
archives and artefact, this historical perspective surveyed
Fire Prevention Week during the 20th Century as seen
through the eyes of the collector. It was not intended as an
exhaustive account of the Calgary Fire Department but
rather a sampling of its activity through the years. From fire
alarms to fire marshals, the safety of citizens has always
been paramount. Although much of the technology has changed, the causes and
concerns have generally remained the same.
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Burnt! Could this Fire Have Been Prevented?
The Mobile Museum @ Lougheed House
October 3 – 11, 2015
The Mobile Museum was onsite at the Lougheed House from Wednesday, October 7 to
Saturday, October 10 from 11 am to 4 pm. The exhibit featured authentic artefacts from
local arson investigations. We showcased the objects alongside arson investigation
reports and newspaper articles about the fires the objects caused to reinforce our
messaging, Interior walls featured Fire Prevention Week posters from the 1950’s, more
Calgary news paper articles, and fire statistics from The Council of Canadian Fire
Marshals and Fire Commissioners. The very back wall of Mobile Museum had a large
image of the 1913 Burns Packing Plant Fire. We installed burnt rope ladders with facts
and quotes about the fire. In addition to the exhibition, we also held a colouring contest
featuring “Where’s Embers?” Traditionally, the Fire Prevention Bureau held colouring
contests to engage and educate school kids and their families about fire safety.
Fire Prevention Week Poster, mid 20th century,
Firefighters Museum of Calgary Collection
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SOCIAL MEDIA
We tweeted, we instagrammed and blogged our way through 2015, doing our best to let you
know what we were up to while we look for a permanent home. We facebooked historical
events, museum operations and even posted pics from our pensioners’ coffees. We even
pinned our fave pics from other people! Our website, although mostly used for minor updates
and program listings, saw more than 4,950 visits.
Instagram (69 posts, 75 followers)
Facebook (779 likes)
Pintrest
Twitter (528 followers)
Flickr (596 photos)
Wordpress
Our top facebook post for 2015:
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Our most viewed photo on Flickr:
Sugar Plum Fairies
n.d.
Top Row (left to right)
A. McKay, J. Brosh, G. Huskinson
Bottom Row (left to right)
G. Young, C. Lefurgey
PI-A08-1481
Our most popular tweets:
DOES SOCIAL MEDIA
MATTER?
97% of museums have a
social media presence
69% have individual
employees as a
representative of the
organization
45% of the organizations
post updates daily
94% post photos about the
organization or its work
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OUTREACH (EVENTS)
The Museum participated in more than thirty outreach
initiatives with more than two hundred thousand people
in attendance!
A member of our ‘Smart Brigade’ at Heritage Park on Canada Day.
January
First Tuesdays
February
First Tuesdays
March
First Tuesdays
Cappy Smart Band Concert
Diakonos St. Patrick Day’s Run
Happy ‘Call Box Birdhouses’, participants!
April
Aggie Days
May
First Tuesdays
Call Box Birdhouse
Art and Artefact: Pastels and Pastries
June
First Tuesday
The Gyro Club
Art and Artefact: Sketch Club
July
Canada Day – Heritage Park
CFD Stampede Breakfast
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Stampede Parade
Draft Horse Town
Art and Artefact: Sketch Club
Lives, Legacies & Legends
August
First Tuesdays
Sunkidz
September
First Tuesdays
Fallen Firefighters Memorial
Night at the Museum
CFD Cadets enjoyed a fire hall spaghetti
dinner before touring the collections space
during ‘Night at the Museum’.
October
Fire Prevention Week
Firefighter in a Jar
November
First Tuesdays
Family Fun Heritage Fair
CFD Lieutenant and Museum Board
Director, Stephen Joo and son at
‘Firefighter in a Jar’.
Our ‘Museum-on-Call’ provided onsite
family friendly programming and exhibit
at the Mewata Stadium prior to the Fallen
Firefighters Memorial
(photo by Owen Melenka
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PROGRAMS
Art & Artefact: A series of ala carte programs looking at our
collections from a completely different perspective. Workshops
included: Pastels & Pastries, Call Box Birdhouse, Firefighter in a
Jar, and the ongoing Sketch Club.
Firecrackers!: There are two offerings of this program, facilitated at
offsite or pop-up locations! In Firefighters, kids participate in a
training boot camp, make a craft and learn the importance of teamwork. Fire Safety
introduces basic fire safety concepts in a fun and engaging way!
Firefighter Friends: These all in one kits feature four firefighter friends designed to help
the community learn about the Calgary Fire Department in a child friendly atmosphere.
Each kit contains a Firefighter Friend, storybook, a craft activity, and a fun physical
activity. There are four concepts: fire safety, firefighter, water safety, and vehicle safety.
Firefighter Friends Cole, Ashley, Flint and Fia are here to help you learn about CFD.
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Part of our ‘Art & Artefact’ program, ‘Firefighter in a Jar’ allowed interaction with the collection
as well as an opportunity to get creative. (photo by Owen Melenka)
First Tuesdays at the Museum: Held on the first Tuesday of every month, we invite retired
members of the Calgary Fire Department to share coffee and memories at the museum's
collection space in Midnapore.
Museum on Call: An opportunity to learn about the history of Calgary firefighting through
artefacts and activities inspired by our collection. Families can try on old and new firefighter
uniforms, run relays (select venues only) and make a craft.
Lives Legacies and Legends of the Calgary Fire Brigade: This program occurs on the
anniversary date of Chief James ‘Cappy’ Smart’s funeral (July 29) and pays homage to those
affected by the Calgary Fire Department. It shares the history and recalls the impact that both
the department and Chief Smart had on the community.
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WHERE’S EMBERS?
Where’s Embers? We launched
Where’s Embers?, a programming
initiative featuring our museum mascot,
Embers! Embers, a small Dalmatian
pup, was rescued by an off-duty firefighter during the height of a snowstorm and has
been part of the museum ever since. She received over 200 photo entries while on a
Quest for Knowledge at Aggies Day. This canine’s curiosity got the better of her during
Draft Horse Town and she ended up on the WANTED list during Stampede Week. She
also showed up at our Mobile Museum and Fire Prevention Week both at our Mobile
Museum and by running a colouring contest!
My son was so excited with your
scavenger hunt program at the Aggie
Days.
–Behram Ali Khan, Calgary
Our kids had so much fun
trying to find Embers.
-Isabell Elden, Calgary
Aggie days was awesome! I found red
buckets with the dalmatians on!!!!
Thank You! Hope I win!
– Areebah Abdul, Calgary
We had a wonderful time with the kids
from Dalhousie School locating all 10
Embers. We enjoyed your safety talk.
–Kathy Tough, Calgary
My kids really enjoyed your booth. They
were very interested with the home display
and listened for quite awhile to the young
man on Saturday morning :). Thank you
for being so wonderful to my kids on
Saturday!
–Joy Rayton, Strathmore
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Cagary Fire Honour Guard and a member of the Smart Brirgade during the Lives,
Legacies & Legends of the Calgary Fire Brigade program at the Union Cemetery.
Your program at Aggie days was great! It was interactive and kept
the kids attention. I have to tell you that after viewing the artifacts
displayed at your booth ie; burned kettle, power bar etc, my family
now unplugs appliances when we are not using them, toaster, kettle
and so on.... We had never really thought of it before! Thank you for
making us aware and helping our family to keep safer!
–Laura Quan Chan, Calgary
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THANK YOU! (WE COULDN’T DO IT WITHOUT YOU)
MUSEUM STAFF & VOLUNTEERS
Museum Supervisor
Rebecca Melenka
Museum Assistant
Catherine Heggs
Summer Students
Marissa Buckley
Sydney Cyr
Robyn Gray
Volunteers
Brian Freney
Penny Jalkotzky
Lawrence Lefebrve
Owen Melenka
Eric Nielsen
Heather Neustaeder
Pat ‘O’ Hare
Nolan Rockwell
Rob Tomlinson
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
American Alliance of Museums Taking it the Streets webinar
Supervsiory Leadership Development Program, City of Calgary
Alberta Museums Association Visitor Experience Workshop
Alberta Museums Association Conference
Alberta Museums Association Grants Jury
DONORS TO THE COLLECTION
Peter Bunn
Fort Calgary
Donna Coupland (In memory of District Chief Lawrence Ashley)
Spencer Fawkes
Barry Marks (In memory of Fire Marshall Lew Marks)
John A. MacDonald
Evelyn McLeod (In memory of District Chief John Mcleod)
Delores Minhinnett (In memory of Chief Tom Minhinnett)
Dale Morris (In memory of Chief Wayne Morris)
Brenda Morrison
Clarence Nickle
Orlo Tvter
FINANCIAL SUPPORTERS
Friends of the Museum
We’d like to dedicate this part of the Annual Repor to those that supported the museum financially
in 2015. The Firefighters Museum of Calgary relies upon the generosity of the community to carry
out our mission statement.
Silver Helmet Brigade ($1,000.00 – $4,999.00)
Brian McAsey
Mrs. Dale Morris (In Memory of Fire Chief Wayne Morris)
White Helmet Brigade ($500.00 - $999.00)
CFD Pensioners Association
Brian Freney
Red Helmet Brigade ($100.00 - $499.00)
Pauline and Alexander Lavery
Garry Sutherland
Ila M. Payette (In memory of John Ward)
Daniel and Barb Giba (In memory of John Ward)
Black Helmet Brigade ($50.00 - $99.00)
Albert M. Kinloch and Beatriz Martinez-Arias (In memory of John Ward)
Jim Marshall (In memory of John Ward)
Nic and Margaret Martini (In memory of John Ward)
Ferdinand Oelhaulpl (In memory of John Ward)
Yellow Helmet Brigade ($25.00 - $49.00)
Andrew and Laurie McIntosh (In memory of John Ward)
Linda Miller (In memory of John Ward)
Mabel and/or Debbie Paisley (In memory of John Ward)
Garry and Geraldine Riggs (In memory of John Ward)
Stephen and Jody Wilson
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CIVIC PARTNERS & SUPPORTERS
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Significance of the colours we use at the Firefighters Museum
of Calgary:
A colour that embodies all things intense and passionate associated with firefighting; it is
also the most widely used colour by Fire Departments worldwide. Picture a fire truck and
you are likely to see red – fire engine red.
A colour of mourning; it is used in respect to all the firefighters that have lost their lives in the
line of duty. The Calgary Fire Department has lost nine firefighters in the line of active duty
and dozens more to occupational diseases since 1885.
A colour of dignity and maturity; it is also the colour of smoke – a warning that tells us
something is wrong; its essence clinging to us long after the fire has been put out. People
who die from home fires are more likely to die from smoke inhalation than being burned by
flames.
A colour of life and re-growth; it was also the colour of Calgary’s Fire trucks for several
decades. Many cities felt that the colour was easier to see but the lime green shade lowered
the morale of many firefighters and some say that the trucks became less visible under
certain street lights causing its eventual demise! This colour can still be found on fire
hydrants around Calgary.
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USING OUR COLLECTION! A group of students pose proudly beside our 1929 Gotfredson
Bickle. The group attended our Lives, Legacies, and Legends of the Calgary Fire Brigade held
annually on the anniversary date of Fire Chief James ‘Cappy’ Smart’s funeral (July 29, 1933).
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SCHEDULE ‘A’: FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(available upon request)
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SCHEDULE ‘B’: MEMBERSHIPS MATTER!
(available upon request)
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