About Us

,The Beginning 

The first Fire Department was organized in 1890 by E.A. Potter who became the first Fire Chief. The department consisted of 30 men who volunteered their services. Their equipment consisted of 4 ladders, 16 buckets, a few axes, crowbars, hooks and a two wheeled wagon that was pulled around by hand. The water for the fires was hauled from the ponds and lakes. In 1895 the town decided there was a need for a Fire Station and Engine House, The budget was $450

The Springhill Fire Brigade was active in various sporting events of the Maritime Firemen’s Tournaments in the early days. In 1910, in Truro, and again in 1914, at Halifax, the local Department carried off the Ladder Race against all competitors. On their team was such men as: Tupper McKenzie, who had no equal when it came to racing up the ladder. The team always kept in practice and a great deal of their training was done in Local Park during the evening hours.

Historic Events

1890, 1895, and 1896 – all saw major fires on Main St.

1930 – the Liquor Store burn down

1931 –was Herrett’s store

Dec. 26 1957 Fire on Main St. that spread to fir street, 14 businesses, 4 homes, and 10 apartments were lost 

1967 The Elgin St school

1970 The Baptist Church burnt down

July 20th, 1975 Main Street was hit by another major fire when a fire broke out in the “Outside Inn” restaurant due to an electrical problem. The flames then engulfed Nelson’s Book Store and continued up Main Street destroying the Knights of Pythias building which housed a laundromat and Mrs. Brown’s Flower Shop, caught Letcher’s empty building, the Capital Theatre and John’s Smith Store with his apartment over the store. Due to high winds and flying embers 9 more stores were lost, including the town hall and police station, the records office was destroyed again, the second time in 18 years

The record number of calls was one night around 1919 when the department was called out 17 times.