year (1973) — the Centennial of Prince Edward Island's entry into Confederation. The first floor contained a police office and the vil- lage office; upstairs was for the use of the firemen.

In 1979 a government grant plus funds from the village and fire- men’s club enabled the acquisition of a large addition to the fire hall to accommodate a larger pumper, an up to date communication sys- tem downstairs, plus additional rooms upstairs.

In 1983, the first new C.S.A. (Canadian Standards Association) fire truck was purchased. It has a capacity of twelve hundred gallons of water and has a triple combination pumper.

The same year O'Leary firemen were guests of honour at a ban- quet held during Potato Blossom Festival. On this occasion many people expressed their sincere thanks and deep appreciation to the firemen for their invaluable services over the years.

During the next six years (1983 - 1989) the firemen continued to strengthen the department and upgrade their equipment. The com- plement of fire fighters was increased to twenty (1983), all volunteers were outfitted with latest in personal protection gear, paging system was improved, and two captain’s positions were first established (1984). To better supply water to the new pumper, a new tanker truck with a capacity of 2200 gallons was bought and outfitted by the fire- men (1984). The same year a number of firemen upgraded their skills and techniques by attending provincial fire fighting courses in Charlottetown.

It was in 1984 that Santa Claus made his first Christmas Eve tour of the village. With fire truck aglow, he drove up and down the streets broadcasting his Christmas message wish ”Have a fire free Christmas!"

West Point fire department agreed to work with the O’Leary department, and equipped their new truck to made it compatable with those of O'Leary Department. In 1988 Jaws of Life rescue equip- ment was purchased by communities served - Tignish, Alberton, Miminegash, and O’Leary. A second C.S.A. approved fire truck was purchased and for the first time, fire dues were billed on the provin- cial tax assessment.

O’Leary has now one of the best equipped fire departments to be found anywhere; volunteer firemen feel confident that they can han- dle any normal situation that may occur. All this has been accom- plished through the efforts and contributions of many people, not the least of whom were the firemen themselves, and the Firemenettes, who have given much time and money over the years to make such a fine Fire Department.

228