N/a^c^ v\r* ws V5«^ i THE INTELLIGENCER, MONDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1967 J Former Fire Chief Wedded Fifty Years Illness forced cancellation of a family planned celebration, but for former city fire chief Gerald Vance and Mrs. Vance, their golden wedding anniver- sary didn't pass without recog- nition. But instead of the planned "open house" the couple cele- brated the anniversary quietly. A few close friends called to extend personal congratulations while they were also the recipi- ents of a large number of anni- versary cards and gifts. The couple are life residents of the city and live at 42 Mur- ney Street. Mrs. Vance is the former Helen Genevieve Hurst. They are members of Holloway Street United Church. Now retired, the "ex" fire I chief spent more than 43 years i with the Belleville Fire Depart- j ment. He was deputy fire chief! from 1930 to 1948 and served as j chief from 1948 until his retire- ment two years ago. "They were looking for a with horses," recalled Chief temporary man wlho was good Vance. "I joined the depart- ment intending to stay only for two weeks and ended uip by staying more than 43 years." Horses were still hauling the fire wagon® to fires when Chief Vance joined the department. i The finsit motorisied fire engine was not acquired until the next year and the horses were to re- main on until 1926. The horse drawn fire wag- ons were little more than car- riers for hose and other equip- ment, ouit the city did have one of those old fasihioned steam operated fire engines. "I remember it being used only once and then it didn't work," commented the chief. The then fire chief, William Brown, was so provoked that the machine was hauled back! to the station and never used again. Chief Vance is proud of the fact that all presently owned fire fighting equipment with the exception of one car, and both of the present fire halls were acquired during his years as de" partment head- The city fire department has been a "permanent" force since 2916 and for the next five years fire fighters were to serve 24 hour days, sleeping and eating at the fire station. The switch the double shift-- 12 hours on and 12 hours off--- in 1921 was one of the reasons Chief Vance decided to remain with the force. Chief Vance wasn't to work with horses long after joining the fire department, but in re- cent years the ponies have filled a bigger spot in his life. About eight years ago he was one of the driving forces in forming the Quinte Driving Club and for the past four years has served as the club's presi- dent. Chief and Mrs. Vance have three sons, one of whom is carrying on in his father's foot- steps as a fire fighter. Allen Vance, now a captain with the force, has been with the department since 1949. Law- rence "Doc" Vance is a civilian worker at Trenton air station. The third son, Robert, also lives in Belleville.