The Hoyt Volunteer Fire Department was founded in 19XX by Gerald Price.  His goal was to provide fire protection for his community.

The original fire hall was located on the Gillette road in Hoyt.  This fire hall was used up to 19xx.  A new fire hall was built on the corner of Highway 101 and the Boyne Road.  This fire hall was the primary station up until 19xx.  In 19xx there was an addition built onto the old Hoyt Patterson School.  A three bay garage was built on and the old School house renovated into a meeting hall.

The Blissville Volunteer Fire Department organized in August 1963 with eighteen officers and men to provide fire protection for the parish of Blissville which has a population of 854 and 176 dwellings.

A women’s Auxiliary was formed in June 1964.

At present the department consists of twenty six firemen and eight junior Firemen.  This group includes a six man fire inspection team.

The department also performs other public services such as traffic control at funerals and other public gatherings.

The Blissville Volunteer Fire Department has a two-year NO fire loss record at present.

Sparky Fire Department formed in fall 1966 at the Hoyt elementary School

Women’s Auxiliary – Organized in June 1964 for the purpose of raising money to assist in the support of the Fire Department and to aid Burned out families.

Officers:            President:                    Mrs. Phyllis Perrin

                       Vice President:              Mrs. Pauline Wright

                       Secretary:                     Mrs. Doreen Nason

                       Assistant Secretary:        Mrs. Gerald Lewis

                       Treasurer:                     Mrs. Mary Flowers

Projects in the Centennial Year:  One project of the Auxiliary during the past year was a cookbook containing 270 recipes and reminders of Fire hazards in the home,

Fire Department:           House Inspections

                                    Lectures and Fire Drills in the schools in the area

                                    Red Cross Water Safety lectures to the schools

                                    Traffic control at funerals.

NoteBooks

1963

             In the spring of 1963 word was spread around that a civil defense fire truck presently at Fredericton Junction could be used by Hoyt Area if men were trained.

            On August 19, 1963 a few men gathered at a back shed behind Elmer Ryan’s store to discuss starting a fire brigade.

            A public meeting was called to be held in the Agriculture hall at 8 pm on Aug. 22/0963 there were 25 men attended this meeting and it was decided to form a fire brigade and the first officers were elected at this time.

            Chairman – James Wright

            Sect/treasurer – Harlan Nason

            Fire Chief – Gerald Price

Directors – Norman Worden, Ralph Charlton, Murray Smith

Volunteer Fireman – Ray Ivey, Charles Flowers, Ross Kirkpatrick, Leo Knorr, Laverne MacGougan,     Sid Shipton, nelson Perrin, Gerald Lewis, Lawrence Knorr, Wallace Perkins, Lloyd Whittaker, Newton Smith, Elliot Hoyt

Also in attendance at this meeting were Rud Parsons, Russell Smith, Archie Worden and Elmer Ryan.

Another Meeting was called for August 26th.  It was learned that $500.00 the parish had paid to Fton. Jct could be regained.  Ralph Charlton also reported that for the $500 they would put a full basement under the already started 4-h hall and could be used for a fire hall.  All those present agreed to do this.

            In Sept. a training program was set up to train for civil defense, the same month a supper was held to raise money for the fire brigade and an argument was made with the Fred. Jct fire Dept to assist each other in case of a serious fire.

1964

In March 1964 a trailer pumper was bought from the town of Oromocto.

In June 1964 the women’s auxiliary was formed to assist the Dept. and help burned out families.  In Sept. another supper was held and it was decided to have an annual Fireman’s Day.

1965

             In February 1965 the fire department purchased a 1956 International Fuel truck to be used as a fire truck for the area and Civil defence would be taking this that spring.  Also that spring of 65 the Dept purchased a Gorman Rupp loading pump.

             The settlements of Wirral and Enniskillen formed a local service district to buy Fire Protection from Blissville Service,  men from the area were trained in Fire Fighting they were Weyman Kirkpatrick, Donnie Hoyt, Herald Kirkpatrick, Floyd Kelly, Claire Nason and Greg Shannon.

              Also in 1965 a Junior Fire Brigade was formed their first members were Bruce Smith, Daryl Price, George Eastwood, Glynn Nason and Edwin Kirkpatrick.

1966

            In 1966 the department acquired some used uniforms from other town departments and worker’s compensation was started in case of accidents at a fire.

1967

            On July 16, 1967 a Centennial Church Service was held at the St. Luke’s Hall grounds and 4 different affiliations took part.  They were Rev. Gordon Smith, Rev. R.J. Green, Rev. Mr. King and Mr. Patrick Donovan.

            Also in 1967 the dept. attended the Atlantic Firefighters Workshop and won first prize and received $200.00 cheque, a flashing roof light and a plaque.

1968

             During the winter of 1968 after much discussion it was decided to build a new and larger fire hall, one that would hold three trucks and have a meeting room.  It was also learned that Bill McCracken would donate a building lot on the Corner of the Boyne road for a new Fire hall and construction started in the spring.

In 1968 a 1958 Ford Range truck was purchased from Crown assets to carry hose and Equipment.

1969

The new fire Hall was officially opened on Fireman’s day Sept. 20, 1969

1970

            On August 16, 1970 the area telephone system was changed to dial and seven phones were installed in case of fire, they were in the homes of Ralph Hasson, Harlan Nason, Ross Kirkpatrick, Warren Belyea, Chester Harding, Silas Kirkpatrick and one in the fire halls.

1971

             In April 1971 it was decided to purchase a new fire truck and pump after tenders had been received it was voted to buy a 1971 Ford from Wood Motors , F’ton.

In 1971 Fireman’s day was extended to include Friday evening to have a BBQ and a dance.

During the next five years various pieces if firefighting equipment was purchased.

 1975

            In December 1975 a meeting was moved that the name of our department be changed to Hoyt Volunteer Fire Department replacing the former name “Blissville” subject to the approval by the Department of Municipal affairs.

1976

            In 1976 it was decided to purchase another new truck and a 1976 Ford was bought this making 2 complete fire fighting units.  Also a Chevrolet truck was purchased from Flintkote Canada and a tank installed to supply water for the other trucks.

            This same year the parish of Clarendon became a local service district and the community of south Branch was included in our area.  Six men from that area were trained and they built a building to house the 1956 International that was to stay in their area.