Dashwood Fire Department History
Want to know more about the Dashwood Volunteer Fire Department and Firehall? Here is a little bit of history on where it all began.
The Dashwood Fire Department was established in 1984 by a group of citizens concerned about the lack of fire protection in the area, with 20 members. The original two bay fire hall was constructed in 1985 and held two pieces of apparatus. A third bay was built onto the side in 1996 providing space for an additional piece of apparatus. In 1997 the department replaced its aging 1977 water tender with a new 1997 GMC top kick (water tender) which was retired and sold in 2023.
As demand for the expansion of the Dashwood fire protection service area grew, a petition for a second hall in the Meadowood area was sent to residents. In 2007 the Meadowood community voted yes to allow the borrowing for the new firehall, new apparatus and equipment to provide fire protection to the Meadowood community. Local residents provided space in their garages to store the apparatus and equipment until the construction of the hall was completed in 2009.
In 2012, a seismic assessment of the Dashwood fire hall was completed by Herald Engineering Ltd outlining the potential seismic risks and upgrade solutions. A construction options report was provided by Johnston Davidson Architecture + Planning Inc indicating that costs to retrofit and renovate the fire hall to meet building code requirements and add additional space were estimated above the costs of replacing the fire hall.
Today the fire department is home to four full time employees, and up to 40 volunteers. The fire department is excited for the new facility to open soon!
