Dr. Will Brooks
1951 Bickle-Seagrave
Built in1951 at Woodstock, Ontario, this Bickle-Seagrave served at Royal Canadian Air Force Station Trenton from 1951-1962. The Village Corporation of Petawawa bought Edna (the name affectionately given to the engine) from Crown Assets and used the engine until1984 as the town’s main pumper.
Powered by a Seagrave eight cylinder engine, this pumper is the last of the style Seagrave had originally introduced in 1936. In mid 1951 the Seagrave 70th Anniversary Model was introduced. With that change, Seagrave stopped using the eight cylinder engine.
Affectionately named Air Force #1 Edna after a dear friend. This rig has some unique features including a Seagrave straight eight (80E), an unusual short cab, and the signature top ladder mounting found on R.C.A.F. fire engines. Edna is in fact, R.C.A.F. vehicle #1. Will has been able to obtain documentation showing the engine’s history as well as preserve the original manual and detailed maintenance instructions. Archival photos show Edna’s commissioning picture at Trenton, Ontario, Canada. Documentation from orders and factory manufacturing between D.N.D. and the Bickle-Seagrave Company have also been found and preserved.
Very interestingly is the fact that the engine does not have a bell mounted to the cowl. In the United States before the war years fire apparatus had two ways of "making noise" while responding to emergencies. They were the electric siren (somewhat rare) or the traditional fire bell. Because of the use of air raid sirens in the US all sirens were removed from apparatus and fire bells were solely relied upon. Well it seems that Canada had a very unique situation as well. During wartime the sounding of the bell meant that fighter pilots and crews were to scramble to their respective aircraft. Two different countries and two unique problems.
After 11 years of service the engine was declared surplus. The village of Petawawa purchased the rig through the Government of Canada Crown Assets. The engine served active duty as first line apparatus until 1984. After being put into the ceremonial role the Bickle Seagrave continued to serve the Village until 1996.
In 1997 Will moved the engine to the National Museum of Science and Technology Museum where the engine was housed for the spring and early summer months. The storage of the engine on Museum grounds was another piece of history. It seems that the Bickle Seagrave was the first privately owned item ever to be allowed to be stored on campus property
Will’s long-term goal is to use the Bickle Seagrave to help develop an awareness of the need for a Canadian Fallen Firefighter’s Memorial. Will comments that the need for a national museum is beginning to be understood; the memorial to Fallen Firefighters is imperative considering the sacrifices made by this dedicated group for many, many years. Because of Will's and everyone's dedication this program is moving across Canada like a conflagration
The engine in front of the Canadian Parliament Building in Ottawa.
Original order sheets.
Click on the order sheets to enlarge.
Dr. William (Will) Brooks has worked as a mental health professional and firefighter. Over the past 30 years, he has carried on a full-time private practice and managed a consulting firm. Much of Will’s work in both these roles has dealt with the effects of stress and techniques to manage stress effectively (maybe some of us could use his help). He has pioneered the use of computerized health risk appraisals as a stress management tool in Canada.
Dr. Will Brooks Will presenting Chief Rick Larabie, Ottawa Fire Department
with the first Canadian Fire Service lapel pin of the
Canadian Fallen Firefighters Memorial
Will recalls an early involvement with firefighting having, at the age of nine, gone to his first working fire on the side of a ‘34 Chevrolet ladder truck. During Will's time in Nova Scotia, he served as a Training Coordinator, Spare Driver, Lt. of Rescue and Salvage, and a Lt. of the Aerial Ladder Co..
Will currently lives in Ottawa, is an active member of Bytown Fire Brigade and is Chairman of the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Memorial Development League.
Pictured outside Ottawa Fire Department Station 9
It seems that there is a celebrity among the group. This photograph was from a movie that the Bickle Seagrave starred in. The movie is a Canadian movie and there is probably a snow balls chance in Florida that we'll ever see it, but it is pretty cool.
Click to enlarge
Original Bickle-Seagrave nozzle
The Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation is offering this set of Canadian Fire Service pins for a donation of $ 30 CAD. Individually, they are offered at $17.CAD. Send bank check or money order for the correct amount to: CFFF at 133 Walnut Court Ottawa, Ontario Canada or call 569-8297.
Click on Pin to enlarge.
Go to the S.O.A."Links Page" to view the progress with the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation.
This information for this presentation has been provided by Dr. Will Brooks and archived information from the files of Dr. Will Brooks. Additional photographs by: Julie Fachmie.
