Historic Fire Engine Finds New Home at Williams Lake Fire Hall

Courtesy of the City of Williams Lake:

Following years of planning and fundraising by the Williams Lake Firefighters Association, the City of Williams Lake and Williams Lake Fire Department are excited to be working with Thompson Rivers University carpentry students to build a new permanent enclosure for its historic 1947 Chevrolet Maple Leaf pump engine.

In 1947, Williams Lake took delivery of its first motorized fire engine. Built in Ontario, the 3 ton Chevrolet Maple Leaf engine arrived to replace the pull carts used by the firefighters of the time. It was a welcome innovation and served the community well until the late 1960’s. When the truck was retired, it sat in the City Works Yard until the 1980’s when the Williams Lake Firefighters Association purchased it from the City.

Firefighters restored the engine to preserve it for future generations. The Williams Lake Firefighters Association built an enclosure to protect it outside of the old firehall on Fourth Avenue (now the Central Cariboo Arts Society), where it is currently displayed.

When the new Williams Lake Firehall was constructed, budget constraints did not allow for an enclosure for the historic fire engine. A committee was formed to attempt to pay for a new enclosure, and the Association received an amazing donation from Chemo RV in 2017 that gave the committee the boost it needed. Over the last year, the building was planned and developed, and construction has now begun. The new garage will be located in front of the Firehall adjacent to South Lakeside Drive.

“The generous support of local companies has been outstanding, and we would like to recognize the following sponsors: Chemo RV, TRU, West Fraser Plywood, United Concrete, Wise Windows & Doors, Econo Glass, Tolko Lakeside, Windsor Plywood, Central Interior Concrete Services, Mainline Roofing, and Schickworks Signs & Stitches,” said City of Williams Lake Mayor Walt Cobb. “The support of our local community is always so extraordinary, and we are looking forward to displaying Engine 1 at the Firehall.”

“The students of TRU are working hard to make this dream a reality, and we applaud their hard work as they learn new skills,” said Williams Lake Fire Chief Erick Peterson. “We are very thankful to the Williams Lake Firefighters Association, and are looking forward to the new building taking shape this fall, and for the Maple Leaf to move into its new home at the Williams Lake Firehall very soon.”