In 1939 our fore fathers started a volunteer A.R.P. (Air Raid Patrol) along the shores of Lake Ontario from the Hamilton Canal to Van Wagner's Beach.
In 1941, the A.R.P. was disbanded and the Burlington Beach Volunteer Fire Department was born. The Fire Marshall's Office in Toronto officially recognized this volunteer fire department in 1941. In those years, the beach strip was a separate community that was managed by a "Beach Commission". This group was comprised of a manager, secretary, and seven volunteer commissionaires who would oversee their own Police Department, Fire Department and Public Works Department. The Beach Commission reported and answered directly to the Ontario Provincial Politicians in Toronto. The beach strip was a close-knit community in those days and still is today.
In 1956, the City of Hamilton annexed the beach strip and we became part of City of Hamilton. The City Fire Department took over our volunteer fire department and the active volunteers still wanting to stay together decided to form the Hamilton Beach Rescue Unit. They were all trained in first-aid and water rescue and used two twelve foot dinghies to rescue swimmers in the summer and ice-banks in the winter.
In May of 1957, the Beach Rescue Unit was founded and started with one borrowed and one rented boat and motor. They patrolled every Saturday, Sunday and Monday holidays from May until September, but were on call to
24 hours a day, 365 days a year. As the years past, they were able to purchase bigger and better boats capable of handling the storms and rough waters of Lake Ontario.
Those dedicated Volunteers ran a small carnival, sold tickets, ran ham and turkey raffles and raised the money to cover the expenses of the unit. Sometimes the members had to dig into their own pockets and donate money to cover the outstanding bills.
Somehow we survived those lean days and in 1965, we approached the City
and asked for some financial assistance to help cover our operating expenses. The City agreed but the unit was still responsible for raised their own capital funds for purchasing new boats, equipment and a vehicle to tow the boats to the launch area. Only with a lot of hard work and dedication by these volunteers, have we been able to build and progress the unit to meet today's standards and community's requirements.
Over the past 45 years, we have saved many lives and have assisted hundreds of boaters in trouble on the lake and in Hamilton Bay.
In order to expand our training and to better serve the boating community and other water recreational public we joined forces with the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary. For over 15 years, our volunteers have worked in co-operation with the Canadian Coast Guard to receive training in such courses as CPR, first aid, hypothermia, boating, boat inspections, search and rescue tactics, V.H.F., radar, towing., and G.P.S. operation
Although we receive an operating grant and some capital monies, we still have to raise additional funds to meet the capital project needs of the organization. The City of Hamilton and the Ontario Trillium Foundation have both donated funds toward some of our recent major capital projects. We are very grateful for their support, which has enabled us to purchase a new boat and towing vehicle and commence renovations of our training hall.
The members of the Hamilton Beach Rescue Unit Inc. are a group of well-trained, dedicated volunteers who risk their lives ON a regular basis to save the lives of fellow citizens using our community waters in the Hamilton area.
William Dean , June 9,2003
new fire truck being delivered October 1949, the first call for the new truck was shortly after delivery. A chimney fire at 735 Beach Blvd, the home of I. McIntosh.
The above photo was from an October 4, 1949 Spec story;
Secure new truck, After struggling along with vehicles of ancient vintage, the volunteer fire department of Hamilton Beach now has a modern truck. The arrival of the truck was celebrated with a demonstration by the fire department. Pictured above with the new truck are the following members of the Hamilton Beach Commission, W. Francis, W. Leeming, G. Robbins, F. Jento and N. Hughes.
From the Spectator, August 29th, 1953
In 1941, the A.R.P. was disbanded and the Burlington Beach Volunteer Fire Department was born. The Fire Marshall's Office in Toronto officially recognized this volunteer fire department in 1941. In those years, the beach strip was a separate community that was managed by a "Beach Commission". This group was comprised of a manager, secretary, and seven volunteer commissionaires who would oversee their own Police Department, Fire Department and Public Works Department. The Beach Commission reported and answered directly to the Ontario Provincial Politicians in Toronto. The beach strip was a close-knit community in those days and still is today.
In 1956, the City of Hamilton annexed the beach strip and we became part of City of Hamilton. The City Fire Department took over our volunteer fire department and the active volunteers still wanting to stay together decided to form the Hamilton Beach Rescue Unit. They were all trained in first-aid and water rescue and used two twelve foot dinghies to rescue swimmers in the summer and ice-banks in the winter.
In May of 1957, the Beach Rescue Unit was founded and started with one borrowed and one rented boat and motor. They patrolled every Saturday, Sunday and Monday holidays from May until September, but were on call to
24 hours a day, 365 days a year. As the years past, they were able to purchase bigger and better boats capable of handling the storms and rough waters of Lake Ontario.
Those dedicated Volunteers ran a small carnival, sold tickets, ran ham and turkey raffles and raised the money to cover the expenses of the unit. Sometimes the members had to dig into their own pockets and donate money to cover the outstanding bills.
Somehow we survived those lean days and in 1965, we approached the City
and asked for some financial assistance to help cover our operating expenses. The City agreed but the unit was still responsible for raised their own capital funds for purchasing new boats, equipment and a vehicle to tow the boats to the launch area. Only with a lot of hard work and dedication by these volunteers, have we been able to build and progress the unit to meet today's standards and community's requirements.
Over the past 45 years, we have saved many lives and have assisted hundreds of boaters in trouble on the lake and in Hamilton Bay.
In order to expand our training and to better serve the boating community and other water recreational public we joined forces with the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary. For over 15 years, our volunteers have worked in co-operation with the Canadian Coast Guard to receive training in such courses as CPR, first aid, hypothermia, boating, boat inspections, search and rescue tactics, V.H.F., radar, towing., and G.P.S. operation
Although we receive an operating grant and some capital monies, we still have to raise additional funds to meet the capital project needs of the organization. The City of Hamilton and the Ontario Trillium Foundation have both donated funds toward some of our recent major capital projects. We are very grateful for their support, which has enabled us to purchase a new boat and towing vehicle and commence renovations of our training hall.
The members of the Hamilton Beach Rescue Unit Inc. are a group of well-trained, dedicated volunteers who risk their lives ON a regular basis to save the lives of fellow citizens using our community waters in the Hamilton area.
William Dean , June 9,2003
new fire truck being delivered October 1949, the first call for the new truck was shortly after delivery. A chimney fire at 735 Beach Blvd, the home of I. McIntosh.
The above photo was from an October 4, 1949 Spec story;
Secure new truck, After struggling along with vehicles of ancient vintage, the volunteer fire department of Hamilton Beach now has a modern truck. The arrival of the truck was celebrated with a demonstration by the fire department. Pictured above with the new truck are the following members of the Hamilton Beach Commission, W. Francis, W. Leeming, G. Robbins, F. Jento and N. Hughes.
From the Spectator, August 29th, 1953
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