The Bucket Brigade

As the result of a bad fire in 1837 it was decided to increase the fire-fighting facilities. "Regulations were drawn up providing that, on an alarm being sounded from the 'Tank House,' the members of the 'Fire Union' proceed to the scene of the fire, carrying baskets and leather fire buckets. "Each resident of Fredericton was required to possess a leather bucket with his initials inscribed on the side."

Under the directions of the wards with their red poles, the bucket brigade formed two lines, one from the river to the fire and up to the roof of the burning building, the other from the burning building back again to the river.

The full buckets were passed from hand to hand up one line and the empties were sent back to the river down the other.

Arrangements were also made for, during the fire, "expert carpenters" to tear down buildings when necessary.

The regiments stationed at the barracks in Fredericton assisted as a salvage corps and in the prevention of looting.