Whitby Fire and Emergency Services is turning 175, and the department is inviting the whole town to celebrate.
On Saturday, October 17, Whitby Fire Headquarters at 111 McKinney Drive will open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. as part of Doors Open, the annual event that lets residents explore historic and unique sites across the community, according to a Town of Whitby news release.
Admission activities for the day include station tours, fire truck tours, a chance to meet members of the fire service, an obstacle course, fire extinguisher lessons and a hose target challenge.
A packed schedule of demonstrations
The day begins with remarks from the Mayor and local dignitaries at 10:15 a.m. inside the fire truck bay.
Fire tower demonstrations will run at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., a live-fire learning experience featuring a thermal imaging camera takes place at 1 p.m., and a jaws of life auto extrication demonstration is set for 2 p.m.
Family-friendly activities will run throughout the day, including music from the Community Concert Band of Whitby, colouring sheets, airbrush tattoos and self-guided museum tours featuring historical photos and Junior Fire Camp artwork.
Fallen Firefighter Memorial
One of the day's highlights will be a first look at the rendering of Whitby's Fallen Firefighter Memorial, created by Canadian sculptor Ruth Abernethy. The memorial, which will honour Whitby firefighters who died in the line of duty, is scheduled to be unveiled in 2027.
The anniversary event and the memorial project have been made possible in part by the Government of Canada.
Reaching 175 years of service is an extraordinary achievement that speaks to the enduring commitment of Whitby Fire and Emergency Services and the individuals who have dedicated themselves to serving our community. On behalf of the department, I am proud to acknowledge this significant anniversary and the lasting relationship between the fire service and the community we serve.
— Mark Pankhurst, Interim Fire Chief, Whitby Fire and Emergency Services, in a Town of Whitby news release
Josh Girard, Vice President of the Whitby Professional Firefighters' Association, said the anniversary is really a story about people and families, with generations of the same families having worn the uniform.
As we celebrate this milestone, we also remember the members we've lost along the way. This spring, we'll proudly unveil our firefighters' memorial, a permanent place to honour them and ensure their service remains part of Whitby Fire's story for generations to come.
— Vice President Josh Girard, Whitby Professional Firefighters' Association, in a Town of Whitby news release
Other Doors Open sites
Fire Headquarters won't be the only stop on October 17. Other participating Doors Open sites include Burr Lodge, Lynde House Museum and the Warren General Store. The full list is available at whitby.ca/DoorsOpen.
For more information about Whitby Fire and Emergency Services, visit whitby.ca/Fire.
