About Us
The Friends of the Kelowna Fire Museum Society was conceived in the spring of 2004, receiving official status in August of that same year. Local firefighters were concerned that valuable artifacts from the department’s history were being lost.
Assistance from Lorna Gunn, the City’s (former) Cultural Services Manager, and Wayne Wilson, the Kelowna Museum’s Executive Director was invaluable in our quest to preserve and present our history. The founders and first directors of the Society, sponsored by Fire Chief Gerry Zimmermann, were: Ian Chapman , Rick Jennens, Shawn O’Reilly, Dan Phillips, Brian Moore, Dan Glasscock.
The Kelowna Fire Museum Society is unique in that it is made up of both Professional Firefighters and Paid-on-Call Firefighters. Both current Firefighters and retired Firefighters are involved in all aspects of the organization and donate their time, energy and experience to this cause.
Over the last five years, the Society has worked to create a coffee table book to celebrate the service provided by Kelowna Firefighters over the last 100 years, procured, stored and restored valuable artifacts including 1928 Graham Brothers Ladder Truck and have recently begun renovations on the former Kelowna Motors Building located next to the Water Street Fire hall. This location is currently undergoing renovations and will house the Kelowna Fire Museum and Education Centre with an anticipated opening date of 2010.
Fire Hall
Our Principles
- In fulfilling our duty to protect the public's safety and health, firefighters have earned the trust of more Canadians than members of any other profession.
- With that trust comes respect, and with respect comes responsibility.
- Firefighters have a responsibility to protect our history and promote it with much pride.
- Firefighters have a responsibility to educate the public in safety and mitigation.
Our Visions
- Establish the Museum, Education Centre and Coffee Shop facilities at 1630 Water Street.
- Continue to properly archive existing artifacts, collect new artifacts and create exhibits for the Museum.
- Develop an education centre based on the National Fire Protection Association program Risk Watch to be implemented by September 2009.
- Recruit and train volunteers to operate the Museum, Education Centre and Coffee Shop.
- Develop donor relationships, sponsorship and membership opportunities to ensure that funding is available to operate the Museum, Education Centre and Coffee Shop.
Contact Information
We can be reached at info@firemuseum.ca
or at 1630 Water Street in Kelowna BC.
Phone: 778.484.5666
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