Chiefs and Buildings:
Over the past 160 years, the Dunnville Fire Department and its predecessors have had a total of only 8 chiefs and this is rather unique as one of them served for a total of 50 years. The records available show them serving in the following years:
| John Oldfield : | 1854 - 1904 |
| J.H. Smith : | 1904 - 1924 |
| George H. Smith : | 1924 - 1932 |
| Bert C. Phillips : | 1932 - 1942 |
| James Malcolm Bowden : | 1942 - 1971 |
| Gerald H. McCarthy : | 1971 - 1987 |
| David Chrysler : | 1987 - 2000 |
| David Warnick : | 2000 - Present |
Another rather unique event of the Dunnville Volunteer Fire Department is the annual Decoration Day church service and parade which has been held continually since 1897 and is believed to be the only one still run by a fire department.
Over the years, the apparatus has been stored in various locations in town, the most recent ones being the combination fire station and town hall, which was situated on Chestnut Street. It was built in 1874 and housed the trucks until the new modern fire station was erected in 1968. The present facilities consist of three double truck bays, offices and membership club rooms which takes care of the fire department needs for many years to come. The most recent addition was the erection of a bell tower in front of the fire station which houses the old 1868 fire bell which was situated in the belfry of the old fire station.
Also incorporated in the base of the bell tower is the building stone from the old fire station dated from 1874. This tower was erected on the 125th anniversary of the establishment of fire fighting in Dunnville on September 6, 1972 to honour those fire fighters of past years who dedicated their services to the Town of Dunnville.
The Dunnville Volunteer Fire Department has seen many changes over the years, the most recent being in January of 2001, which saw the elimination of Regional Government in Haldimand-Norfolk, and the Town of Dunnville becoming part of Haldimand County. The Dunnville station is now known as Haldimand County Station #9.
The Dunnville fire station, with its three vehicles and a boat, are ready to respond to any emergency situation ranging from ambulance assist calls, to vehicle accidents, chemical spills, and yes even fires. Training of the firefighters has continued throughout the years and is still under the direction of the Ontario Fire Marshall's Office. Training sessions and practices continue weekly using a training curriculum provided by the Fire Marshall's Office.
Through 160 years of traditions, many "brothers" have come and gone, but their legacy and commitment to service and professionalism carries on. The dedication, wisdom and vision of these fire fighters continue to carry on today, and long into the future.
