The beginnings of the Stratford Fire Department can be traced back to the late 1840’s. Even before Stratford was a village, there was concern about fire. Plans were beginning to be put in place to prevent and fight fires.

During this time, in the event of fire, the people of Stratford would bring buckets to help a neighbour extinguish the blaze. Nothing was officially organized and when Stratford’s first frame building, the Stratford Inn was destroyed by fire it was realized that there was a need for some kind of professional organization.

There were many changes in the Fire Department in the 1800’s. Captains (chiefs) could change from year to year. In 1866 during the Fenian Raids soldiers stationed here would fight fires, and at times the brigades from the Grand Trunk Railway would go out into the city to fight fires. At times there could be up to 100 volunteers on the brigade. The large numbers were needed not only to fight fires, but also to pull fire apparatus to the scene of an emergency.

At times, horses would come from a nearby livery stable to pull the non-motorized fire apparatus. As incentive, council of the day would pay $2 to the owner of the first team of horses to arrive at the fire station. In 1879, the firefighters purchased their own team of horses only to find out council did not approve and they were forced to sell them. By 1923 the department was fully motorized, however the horses were kept around just in case and remained active at the Hall until 1928 when they were retired for good.

In 1913 tragedy struck the Fire Department when the Knox Church fire killed Fire Chief Hugh Durkin, Police Chief John McCarthy Jr. and Constable Matthew Hamilton. Tragedy struck the fire department again eight years later in 1921 when Firemen Carl Schultz died from injuries he sustained while fighting the fire at the Classic City Bakery on Ontario Street.

On September 12, 2005 City Council appointed Richard Young as Stratford's twelfth Fire Chief. Richard served as Deputy Chief and Assistant Perth County Fire Coordinator for fifteen years. He has a diploma in Fire Protection Technology from the Ontario Fire College, a certificate in Fire Service Leadership from Henson College Dalhousie University, a Fire Safety Certificate from Mohawk College and is a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator.

Chief Young and Fire Department staff will continue to focus on fire prevention, public education and training. These initiatives will maintain Stratford's excellent fire safety record, making our community one of the safest in North America.