Department History

The Pomquet Volunteer Fire Department was founded in 1969. The leadership our department has been fortunate to have since our inception has enabled us to grow and evolve into the current Pomquet Fire & Emergency Services.

In the beginning Bernie Benoit assumed the role of Chief of the department. After the fire department was up and running, Joe Broussard was elected chief. Chief Broussard remained as Chief from 1970 to 1983, serving a full 13 years. In 1984 Tom Melanson was elected Chief and led the department for 7 years until Ronnie Doiron was elected Chief in January of 1992. In September 1998 Chief Doiron stepped down and Pierre Venedam was elected by the membership. Chief Venedam remains as our current Chief.

Over the years advances in safety apparatus and fire fighting equipment has quickly evolved. Safety of our members continues to remain priority one while performing tasks in very hazardous environments.

Our first firefighting apparatus was a 1950's converted oil tanker. With an ample amount of water and a limited pump it served very well to get our department up and running. In 1975 a GMC tanker and a GMC 4X4 rescue truck was introduced into service. The tanker carried 900 gallons of water and there was 300 gallons on the rescue truck. In 1999 we replaced the aging tanker with a new GMC cab over design. 2002 introduced a custom superior pumper, to replace our 1976 Ford pumper. In 2005 we replaced our utility van with a 2005 international mobile command-center/rescue. 2009 saw the acquisition of an international 4X4 heavy rescue unit which now carries most of our vehicle extrication equipment.

In 1982 a set of HK Porter air/hydraulic extrication rescue tools were purchased for motor vehicle accidents. This was the departments first step into providing community support that did not necessarily involve fire. These rescue tools were later replaced with a new set of hydraulic tools powered by a gas engine in 19XX.

As our vehicles have evolved and grown so have our halls and equipment. As we were growing out of our first fire hall, 1991 saw the grand opening of our current fire hall. We also recognized the need to have another hall in our sister community of Heatherton. In 1993 we opened this sub-station.

New turnout gear was purchased in 2001, and again in 20XX. 2003 saw the addition of an Emergency Health Systems Ambulance stationed part-time at our sub-station in Heatherton. This came to an end in 20XX.

2005 saw the introduction of the first response defibrillator thanks to a charitable donation from the Antigonish Kinsmen. We now have 3 AED's on hand in case they are ever needed.

12 new ISI Viking 7 Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA's) were put into service in 2008, and 2009 saw the implementation of the departments first thermal imaging camera. These are items still in use today.

20XX - Started Ice/Water rescue.

20XX - Acquired our first Hurst eDraulic cordless vehicle extrication tool (cutter).

20XX - Acquired our 2nd Hurst eDraulic cordless vehicle extrication tool (spreader).

Fall of 2017 - We began using a mobile paging system called I Am Responding. Allows members to receive emergency notifications on their phone, and indicate if they are able to respond or not.

In June of 2019 we purchased new Euro-Style firefighter helmets, becoming one of the first Departments in NS to use them.