Exhibition of historic photos shows local fire department’s impact on Medicine Hat, and vice versa

By BRENDAN MILLER on April 30, 2025.

bmiller@medicinehatnews.com

Over the next six months 25 photographs of significant moments that helped shape Medicine Hat’s history and define the story of local firefighters will be on display at the Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre.

“We tried to pick events that really shaped our department, shaped the city and really tried to recognize the work throughout that time and where we are today,” says fire chief Chad Eakins. “And really, what brought us to the level of service that we can deliver to the residents today, which we’re really proud of.”

From horse-drawn fire wagons used in the early 1900s to large plumes of black smoke and hoses dousing the flames of fires that made headlines throughout the city’s history, the iconic images celebrate the bravery and dedication of all local firefighters wearing a Medicine Hat badge.

“We want to certainly recognize the folks that had come before us, we wouldn’t be here today, quite frankly, without those folks,” says Eakins. “They’re the ones who paved the way to where we are, and with a long history of 125 years.”

The oldest image in the photo exhibition is a black and white photograph taken in 1905 of the first fire station in the city.

The other 24 photographs include several images of major events that impacted the community, including the more recent blaze which destroyed the historic Royal Hotel in 2022.

“So there is quite a span of the fire that has impacted and kind of shaped the city and certainly our department,” says Eakins, who says the hardest task was choosing a select few photographs from archives spanning back 125 years.

“It’s quite a milestone for us to reach 125 years and we really want to share that with residents.”

The photo exhibition, which can be viewed on the first and second floor of the Esplanade, officially opened to the public on Monday morning with a reception that included retired members of the service.

The exhibition serves as tribute to city firefighters as the Medicine Hat Fire and Emergency Services celebrates its 125th anniversary throughout the year.

This summer the department is hosting two open-house events for the public that will include live rescue and equipment demonstrations, displays and tours of local fire stations.

The open houses will also display historical items and artifacts from the service’s history.

The first open house is planned at Fire Station No. 2 on June 21. The second will be held on Sept. 13 at Fire Station No. 1.

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