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Reuben Hagan started with the Flin Flon Fire Department as a volunteer in January of 1956 while working for HBM&S (where he had started working in October of 1948). When Reuben became the Deputy Fire Chief in August of 1937 he terminated his job at HBM&S and went on staff with the Flin Flon Fire Department. Besides learning on the job, Reuben took courses in Brandon at the Brandon Fire College and became the training officer until he took the position of Fire Chief in July 1986. Reuben replaced Don Still. He continued as the Chief until his retirement in April of 1991. In discussing his years on the fire department he said that 1982 was the worst year for fire fatalities with eight. Reuben recalls just before he got on with the fire department the Corona Hotel fire. "It was terribly cold and the firemen were covered with ice," he said. When Reuben thinks back through those 35 years and his association with many of the men, tears well in his eyes as he recalls, "Get in first, hit hard and get out" Ð remembering guys like Rick Switzer. He said there were so many and a lot of them are gone already. Reuben had a great rapport with the guys and it is obvious when talking to some of the older firemen how much Reuben was respected as well. As Earl Steven said, "Reuben never got in a flap, he was always calm regardless how bad the situation was and he could relate to us as individuals" Reuben said that being a firefighter "is what you make of it Ð everyone is behind one and other, we needed to rely on each other and we were a close knit organization". "In some situations," Reuben said, "I'd be smiling on the outside and gritting my teeth on the inside." See 'History' P.# Con't from P.# There was a social atmosphere with the guys as well, having "smear" tournaments, enjoying the Livesay Golf Tournament and now the Hagan Fishing Event. They always have an annual Christmas party and all the retired members are invited as well. When asked about his "close calls" he related a story about the Flin Flon Hotel fire. He said they were "masked up etc." and Reuben and Abe Pogue were up on the second floor when there was what was called a "flash over". Reuben said he yelled "hit the deck" and as they hit the floor, they could feel the fire on the backs of their necks. "A minute sooner and we would have been further down the hall and we would have had it," he said. Reuben said the longest fire he fought was the Elks Hall which took 10.5 hours to put out. They rescued a man by getting him out of his room through a window and getting him up on the roof. Reuben said that there are usually about 30 volunteers and a chief, about 20 with the HBM&S Fire Department, Creighton Fire Department has about 20 volunteers and Denare Beach has fewer than they would like to have. However, in the event of a huge fire, these various fire departments can rely on one another for help. The following is a short history of the Flin Flon Fire Department and some of the fires they have handled through the years. The Flin Flon Fire department started in 1934 with O.O. Klutz as the first Fire Chief and he had a crew of 12 men. Their equipment consisted of a hand pulled hose cart and a chemical cart that they obtained from The Pas. In 1936 the Fire Department was presented with a brand new Ford truck by the Rotary Club. This truck had a pump mounted on the front. It also had a hose and other equipment and carried 200 gallons of water. A garage called Monty's garage on North Avenue was used to house the truck and then it was later moved to a building known by the firemen as "the old doghouse". It had a clay floor and a ladder reached up to the quarters where about three men slept. Walter Redman took over after the untimely passing of O.O. Klutz. Redman officially organized the fire department. With the rapid growth of Flin Flon in those days, a second fire truck was purchased. This was a 1941 three ton Ford truck which could carry 300 gallons of water and had extra equipment such as pump tanks, extra hose, axes, shovels, portable extinguishers, rubber coats, boots and helmets. This truck became known as No. 2. In 1950 the Council saw the need for more protection and a third truck was bought, another three ton Ford which could hold 300 gallons and had a centre mounted pump that could actually pump 600 gallons per minute. It also carried dry chemicals, foam pick up as well as extra clothing and additional equipment. The old No. 1 truck was converted into an equipment truck. The water tank was removed from it and a jump net was installed along with a portable pump. In 1940 the fire hall was built across from the Flin Flon Hotel. In 1944 an addition was added on with a tower built to dry hoses. In 1961 Redman retired at the age of 70 after overseeing many improvements in the fire department. Redman served as President of the Canadian Fire Chief's Association and on many other committees for many years. Succeeding Redman was Fred Livesay who had served for many years as the Deputy Fire Chief. In 1962 two additional fire trucks were bought. One was a pumper that could carry 500 gallons and could pump 625 gallons per minute to replace No. 2 and a Salvage and Rescue truck was bought to replace No. 1 truck. The new truck contained a portable generator, portable pump, exhaust fan, life net, all service and self contained respirators, ropes, extra hose, clothing, shovels, spare fittings, axes, dry chemical and foam extinguishers. These new trucks had running lights on front and back. Also in 1962, Don Still was appointed Deputy Chief. At that time there were 32 men with the Flin Flon Fire Department and six single men living in the residence. Every Wednesday there was practise when the men would train at hook-ups and all aspects of the fire protection. Every June four men would go to Winnipeg to fire school to learn the latest in fire fighting. Some of the men also were trained in first aid. The department also met once a month to discuss general affairs. They also had a benevolent fund to help look after sick firefighters. The department sponsored a hockey team and contributed to charity drives throughout the year. The main goal of the Flin Flon Fire Department is to stress fire prevention and through the years the local department has won many awards in the province of Manitoba for their efforts in getting the prevention information out to the public. In the 1960s the telephone alarm was turned into the operator who plugged into a 20 telephone system (each phone had four firemen to pass the call on to and this was often done by the fireman's wife) and the fire was reported. As well, there were two blasts of the siren sounded. See 'Some' P.# Con't from P.# Some of the major fires that have been fought over the years while Reuben was with the department: - 1948 February 29, the Rex Theater, took 27 hours and 14 minutes to extinguish. -1955 December 6 the Corona Hotel, took 13 hours to extinguish. -1957 November 23 the Legion Hall, took 12 hours and 40 minutes to extinguish. -1959 July 8 the Fruit and Produce took 25 hours and 9 minutes to extinguish. -1959 July 9, the Richmond Hotel took 11 hours and 10 minutes to extinguish. -1962, June 9 the Flin Flon Hotel took 13 hours to extinguish. -1963 January 15 the Terrace School fire took 8 hours and 5 minutes to extinguish. -1964 November 14 the Konik Residence. -1965 August 6, Arctic Beverages took 9 hours and 25 minutes to extinguish. -1966 January 27 the Royal Hotel took 11 hours and 40 minutes to extinguish. -1966 March 7, the Flin Flon Miner took 2 hours and 5 minutes. -1972 March 7 the Flin Flon Motors took 11 hours to extinguish. -1973 May 7 North American Lumber took 6 hours and 30 minutes to extinguish. -1973 July 9 Valley Bearing took 11 hours and 30 minutes to extinguish -1976 February 22 the Flin Flon Curling Rink took 5 hours and 11 minutes to extinguish. -1977 February 19 the Modern Dairies took 17 hours and 8 minutes to extinguish. -1977 April 7 the Elks Hall took 16 hours and 49 minutes to extinguish. -1977 July 20 Willowvale School (now McIaasc) took 10 hours and 36 minutes to extinguish. -1978 May 7 the Bus Depot (Peking Restaurant - Mel's Taxi) took 6 hours and 21 minutes to extinguish. -1978 October 4 HBM&S cafeteria took 7 hours and 37 minutes to extinguish. -1979 February 7 Northland Motors took 11 hours and 23 minutes to extinguish. -1979 July 7 the HBM&S Dorm #3 took 2 hours and 30 minutes to extinguish. -1982 March 5 Channing Store took 4 hours and 59 minutes to extinguish. -1984 June 8 HBM&S Warehouse fire. (no time reported). -1986 March 1 HBM&S Concentrate Shed. (no time reported). -1986 July 11 HBM&S Tankhouse (no time reported). When the department was first formed the men were paid $1.00 per fire call and $2.00 if water was used. Reuben has been the recipient of many awards such as the Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal, also the 30 year bar. He served as Director with the Manitoba Association of Fire Chiefs, was the department's representative for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and was a dedicated training officer who was very well respected by all the members of the Flin Flon Fire Department. He continued to stress fire prevention throughout his career. Reuben spends much of his leisure time as Chairman of the Sick and Visiting for the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #73. He also works bingo's there. He is also Chairman of the Board for the Flin Flon Credit Union where he has served for over 20 years. He loves his garden and keeping his yard Ð the envy of many of his neighbours. He also does a bit of golfing. Thanks for sharing your memories and all this wonderful information with us Reuben. May you enjoy many years of good health in your retirement.
