Exhibits
Every child has dreamed of someday becoming a firefighter. For them, we have a full size fire truck, toy fire trucks to play with, and even firefighters to talk with. For adults, the Fire Hall Museum & Education Centre has artifacts from around the world, which provide an overview of the evolution of fire services from the Industrial Revolution to today.
Take a Virtual Tour of the museum's exhibits - select 3D Tour. Note that some exhibits may have changed, and/or are subject to change, from the date of this production.
Take a Virtual Tour of the museum's exhibits - select 3D Tour. Note that some exhibits may have changed, and/or are subject to change, from the date of this production.
Tools of the Trade
Get a close-up look at the many tools and pieces of equipment used in the past and today by firefighters in fire prevention, fire suppression and emergency response. Bunker and turnout gear, helmets, life safety equipment, hand tools such as axes and jaws of life, ladders, fire hydrants, fire hose, communication gear such as radios and walkie talkies, fire extinguishers, alarm bells, and much more. Learn how much weight a firefighter adds when they put on their turnout gear – coat, pants and boots, helmet, air pack and breathing apparatus, and other equipment. Try on some of this equipment yourself – you’ll be surprised at how heavy it is. And it makes for a great selfie!
This Is Dispatch
An important aspect of firefighting – and all emergency services – that is often overlooked is communication and dispatch services. When you call 911, what happens? Who answers your phone call? Before there was a central emergency telephone number who did you call to report a fire? Explore some of the alarms and communications equipment used in the past to make sure that firefighters were and are sent quickly to the correct address to help with an emergency.
An important aspect of firefighting – and all emergency services – that is often overlooked is communication and dispatch services. When you call 911, what happens? Who answers your phone call? Before there was a central emergency telephone number who did you call to report a fire? Explore some of the alarms and communications equipment used in the past to make sure that firefighters were and are sent quickly to the correct address to help with an emergency.
Firefighting Around the World
The Museum’s exhibits primarily relate to firefighting in the City of Cambridge and its predecessor communities of Galt, Preston and Hespeler, but the Museum also has an extensive collection of shoulder patches, commemorative medals, and many helmets from fire services across Ontario, Canada, the United States, and countries and cities around the world.
NEW in 2023
Women in Firefighting
“Women have been firefighters for longer than most people realize: in fact, for almost 200 years” in North America, according to the International Association of Women in Fire & Emergency Service.
It would not be until 1985 that Karen Morrison became the first female firefighter in Canada when she was hired by the City of Windsor, Ontario. The Cambridge Fire Department hired its first female firefighter – Kelley Willemze – in 1991.
A video presentation at the Museum honours women who have been and are firefighters with the City of Cambridge, and those women, beginning in 1974, who have worked in fire dispatch and administration.
Women in Firefighting
“Women have been firefighters for longer than most people realize: in fact, for almost 200 years” in North America, according to the International Association of Women in Fire & Emergency Service.
It would not be until 1985 that Karen Morrison became the first female firefighter in Canada when she was hired by the City of Windsor, Ontario. The Cambridge Fire Department hired its first female firefighter – Kelley Willemze – in 1991.
A video presentation at the Museum honours women who have been and are firefighters with the City of Cambridge, and those women, beginning in 1974, who have worked in fire dispatch and administration.
NEW in 2024
Floods, Flooding and Water Rescue in Cambridge
|
Over centuries, a rapid spring thaw or heavy rain upstream has caused the Grand and Speed Rivers to rise and spill over their banks. After the settlements of Blair, Galt, Preston and Hespeler developed, flood waters washed away bridges and flooded low-lying areas, leaving behind massive ice flows and other debris, while inundating homes and businesses. Lives were at risk.
In conjunction with the 50th anniversary of a devastating flood in May 1974, the Fire Hall Museum & Education Centre showcases photos from floods and how the Cambridge Fire Department has modernized its equipment, training and skills in ice and water rescue. |
|
