Renovation Project – UHP Volunteer Fire Department Hall

Corporate Fundraiser Package

The Upper Hammonds Plains Community Development Association (UHPCDA) is very pleased to announce the return of its community’s Volunteer Fire Department Hall to the community and our vision to apply renovations to convert it for usage as a Youth Recreational and Cultural Arts Center.

Upper Hammonds Plains is a community in northwestern Halifax County with a majority Black population. Faced with spotty responses from Hammonds Plains, Bedford and Sackville – due to racism – community members held a meeting to look into forming a community fire department in 1964. The department itself was organized in 1966 and its fire station built in 1970. The fire department was known as Canada’s first all Black volunteer fire department.

In 1996, Upper Hammonds Plains and the other fire departments of Halifax County were amalgamated to form the Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency Service.

Did you know that Canada’s first (and only) all Black Volunteer Fire Department was established here in the Halifax Regional Municipality in the historic African Nova Scotian community of Upper Hammonds Plains in the 1960s? Did you know that the creation of this fire department, located on Pockwock Road, was the collective efforts of the community to address discrimination in fire service delivery? Regional Council decision moves the community closer to taking over the ownership of this historic and important property. Congratulations, Upper Hammonds Plains!

Aug 18, 2020 – Regional Council decision to support community to taking over the ownership of this historic and important property

Jan 21, 2020 – Disposal of Surplus Property – Upper Hammonds Plains Fire Hall