Ottawa’s First Fire Chief - William Young

Section 37, Lot 75 E Ctr Ottawa’s First Fire Chief (1837–1913)

William Young was born on July 9, 1837, in Quebec, during a time when Bytown, soon to become Ottawa, was growing into a bustling hub of trade, industry, and political promise. Trained professionally as a watchmaker and jeweller, Young co-founded the Ottawa firm Young & Radford, contributing to the commercial life of the young city. Yet it was in public service, not business, that Young would leave his greatest legacy.

His firefighting career began on October 20, 1859, when he joined the Volunteer Central Hook and Ladder Company. From those early days of bucket brigades and rudimentary gear, Young quickly distinguished himself as a committed and capable leader. By December 11, 1872, he had been appointed Chief Superintendent of the Volunteer Fire Brigades serving both Upper and Lower Town in Ottawa, a vital role at a time when fire posed one of the city’s greatest dangers.

In 1874, William Young made history when he was appointed Ottawa’s first full-time Fire Chief, tasked with transforming a loose network of volunteers into a professional, organized firefighting force. Under his command, the department consisted of 18 firefighters, working 24-hour shifts out of five strategically located fire stations. Each station was outfitted with a two-wheeled hose reel carrying 500 feet of hose, pulled by a single horse, a modest but essential setup in an era of wooden buildings and narrow, fire-prone streets.

Chief Young brought structure and foresight to the fledgling department. He standardized training, implemented shift work, and introduced equipment protocols that would shape modern fire services across the country. His tenure laid the groundwork for a centralized, professional emergency response system in Ottawa and set a national example.

After nearly three decades of service, Chief Young retired having established the foundations of modern firefighting in Canada’s capital. His leadership ensured that public safety kept pace with Ottawa’s rapid growth.

William Young passed away on March 10, 1913, just shy of his 76th birthday. He was laid to rest at Beechwood Cemetery, Section 37, Lot 75 E Ctr, beside his wife, Margaret Patterson. Today, he is remembered not only as Ottawa’s first fire chief but as a pioneer of professionalism and preparedness in Canadian firefighting, a man who built resilience into the very heart of his city.