One of the fire helmets worn by the firefighters who manned the Chestermere Cabin Owners Association ( CCOA) little 1952 Ford fire truck has come home! Thanks to David Butler and his uncle Ted Butler who have donated the helmet to the Chestermere Historical Foundation. The story begins in 1961 when a ford pick-up was modified to become the CCOA volunteer fire department fire truck. (see more at www.chestermerehistory.org)
It was stored in what was known as the fire hall and first aid station ( building purchased for $150 from Floyd Thompson) located at 111 East Chestermere Drive, the present location of the condominiums at the north end (south of Hyperactive Sports/The Landing). Though the door was locked, a key hung nearby and anyone the truck or first aid equipment immediately became the fire chief for that call. It is not known if many fires were fought. Roy Berg recalls the truck being sent out to a grass fire, but on the way the fire hose fell off the truck. Roy’s grandpa Fred Paasche is shown in 1961 standing by the truck in a photo on the Historical Foundation website banner. Fred was also one of the founding members of the CCOA back in 1959. Stories go that the tires were often flat so there would be delays getting it on the road–and then, had the tank been refilled with water after the last use? Gas refilled? Maybe it’s good news it was not much called on; maybe there weren’t many fires to fight back in those early cabin days!
Back to the helmet. When the little firehall building was torn down, probably sometime in the 70s, the late Gordon Slater was involved in the tear down. Gordon and his wife Joan Slater were long time cabin owners and very active members of the Chestermere Cabin Owner’s Association. Knowing that his younger friend Ted Butler like to collect unusual things, Gordon, on finding the helmet in the shed, gave it to Ted. Years go by and Ted’s nephew David who lives in Chestermere asks his uncle if he will donate the helmet to the Historical Foundation. Thanks to Ted for this donation, and David for bugging his uncle incessantly about donating the hat! Won’t it be wonderful to see that first driver, wearing this hat as the restored Chestermere fire truck makes its first trip out of the garage? For more information on the helmet and the fire truck go to www.chestermerehistory.org
