PHOTO TOURS
Each year, we set up photo tours of fire departments across Ontario for our members and guests. Photo tours are generally held monthly May through October. On a typical tour, a group of buffs will travel to a prearranged group of fire halls in a particular area to photograph the apparatus. We have held tours across southern Ontario, from Windsor to Kingston and north to Midland and Gravenhurst, plus virtually every place in between. We visit everything, from some of Ontario’s largest cities (Toronto, Hamilton, Mississauga) to the smallest townships. We have also made forays to Ottawa, Buffalo and Cleveland. In most cases, attendees provide their own transportation (carpooling is encouraged), but on occasion, we ask everyone to chip in for a bus. We hope for bright sunshine, but the tours generally proceed as planned whatever the weather.
Our plans for 2012 are in the works. Details will be added as the dates draw nearer.
Please note that we sometimes have to change plans due to circumstances beyond our control. Watch this page for detailed station-by-station schedules, changes and updates.
ANNUAL MEETING
Each November, the OFBA holds its Annual Meeting and Fire Service Collectibles Show and Sale. All are invited to the flea market to browse a wide selection of books, photos, toys and other firematic items. There is no charge to set up a table.
We hold our annual meeting in the afternoon. Members can vote and voice their opinions on the future direction of the club.
Our next annual meeting will be on 5 November 2011. Click here for details. We’re also holding a dinner to celebrate our 40th anniversary! More details can be found here.
OTHER 2011 FIRE BUFF EVENTS
19 June – Rodney Fire Muster – Rodney. Click here for details.
18-19 June - Stirling Truck Show
12-14 August - WAMBO - Wallaceburg
Labour Day Weekend – St. Thomas Fire Muster Days – St. Thomas (click here for the registration form)
8 October - Firefighter Appreciation Day - Milton
2012 IFBA CONFERENCE
The International Fire Buff Associates 2012 Convention will be held in Toronto from August 15th to the 18th, hosted by the Greater Toronto Multiple Alarm Association (GTMAA). Check out the Torcon 2012 website for more details.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Oakville Fire Department History
The Oakville Fire Department is celebrating its one-hundreth anniversary by releasing a complete written history of the fire service in Oakville. Reflections of a Proud Heritage, by Robert Kirkpatrick, is a 196-page limited edition hardbound volume containing hundreds of photographs. Click here for details and an order form.
The Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation is trying to locate surviving veterans of the Canadian Corps of Overseas Firefighters who were in England during the Second World War. If you know of any please have them contact Robert Kirkpatrick at their earliest convenience in regards to this year’s ceremony.
Robert Kirkpatrick
Regional Vice President
Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation