A few days after Governor Edward Cornwallis arrived in Kjipuktuk (Halifax Harbour) on June 21, 1749, aboard the Sphinx Sloop of War, two hand-pumped fire engines were offloaded from the ship. This suggests that fire protection was a significant concern for the British authorities even in the planning phase of the settlement. Given that Halifax was established as a strategic military and naval outpost, fire prevention was particularly crucial, as wooden structures, densely packed barracks, and military supply stores were highly vulnerable to fire.
The settlement of Halifax was laid out in a grid pattern, following British colonial town planning principles. By September 14, 1749, the town was divided into five wards, each named after the appointed Captains of Militia: Callendar, Galland, Ewer, Collier, and Foreman. These wards would later serve as the administrative framework for the city's fire protection system, particularly with the appointment of Firewards in 1752.
Though formal firefighting organizations had not yet been established, early fire suppression efforts in Halifax were likely coordinated by the military, which had the manpower, discipline, and authority to organize bucket brigades, operate the newly arrived fire engines, and oversee emergency demolitions to prevent fire spread. Meanwhile, the settlers and laborers played a supporting role, forming bucket lines and assisting in property salvage efforts.
By September 1752, fire safety regulations were officially enacted, introducing Firewards to oversee firefighting operations and enforce fire prevention measures. Two years later, in 1754, the Union Fire-Club was formed, becoming Canada’s first organized fire company, dedicated to responding to fires and safeguarding property.
This early emphasis on fire protection highlights the precarious nature of Halifax’s establishment. With its wooden buildings, reliance on open flames for heating and cooking, and harsh Atlantic weather conditions, the risk of catastrophic fires was ever-present. The presence of fire engines from the outset underscores the foresight of the city’s planners in ensuring that this vital colonial outpost remained protected from one of the greatest threats to early settlements—fire.