In 1866, during the Fenian Raids, soldiers stationed in Stratford and brigades from the Grand Trunk Railway would fight fires with up to 100 volunteers pulling fire apparatus to the emergency. Horses would come from a nearby stable to pull the non-motorized apparatus. As an incentive, City Council would pay $2 to the owner of the first team of horses to arrive at the fire station. In 1879, the firefighters purchased their own team of horses only to find out Council did not approve and they were forced to sell them. By 1923, the department was fully motorized; however, the horses were kept just in case and remained active at the Hall until 1928.
In 1913, tragedy struck the Fire Department when the Knox Church fire killed Fire Chief Hugh Durkin, Police Chief John McCarthy Jr. and Constable Matthew Hamilton. Eight years later, in 1921, Firemen Carl Schultz died from injuries he sustained while fighting the fire at the Classic City Bakery on Ontario Street.