The featured fire department of the week for the week of May 21, 2023 – May 28, 2023 is the Havelock & Area Fire Department located in Digby County.
Information below adapted from the Havelock & Area Fire Chief.
The Havelock & Area Fire dept was only recognized by 1975. They spent many years before 1975 fighting fires just with a portable pump and hoses, plus back in those days everyone had to dig a well for water sources. They usually float around 15 members. They are 1 of 7 depts that serve in the municipality of Clare. They have the biggest woodland divisions in Clare. In 2020 the Richfield Fire Department was slated to close with a membership of 3 and maybe 1 call a year they would have had 8 fire departments in Clare if they hadn’t of closed.
The communities they serve are Hassett, Havelock, Hilltown, Bark Rd, Easton, Hilltown Cross Rd, New Tusket, Sear Mullen Rd, Green Rd, Forman Gaudet Rd, Cedarlake Rd, Corberrie, Melanson loop, Melanson Rd, Melanson Mill Rd, Patrice Rd, Moody Corner, Wentworth Dr & Richfield.
The department has a board of directors, Chief, Deputy, Captain and Lieutenant.
Before covid they usually had 20 calls a year which consisted of any type fire related calls to medical. Since then their call volume has increased 350% in the influx of new people moving in from Ontario. Their dept has 3 apparatus engine 11, tanker 21 & rescue 31.
2 events they are commonly known for is the Rabbit hunt tournament in January or February.
They co host the Sou’ West Nova Big Rig show & shine in the fall that is put on by Lee Dugas with that they do a firemens and lady’s barrels competition.
One of the major fires in their district would be the Hassett forest fire which is on the top of their list, then the next one would be the church fire in March 22, 2011.
They cover about 300 square km. Their boundary lines include Digby, Yarmouth and Argyle municipality.
Other major components is the Southville Fire Department as they have a full mutual aid response between both districts.
They are also a member to the CFFA (Clare Fire Firefighter Association).
