a history of the canadian fire fighters "Hydrant" championship

The Canadian Fire Fighters Curling Association is a national organization started as the result of the dedicated efforts of Vancouver fire fighter Aubrey Neff. Aubrey first organized a Vancouver Fire Department League and the British Columbia Fire Fighters Curling Association.  In 1958, Aubrey sent correspondence to fire fighters in every major city in Canada proposing his dream of a Dominion Fire Fighters Curling Championship.  The results are as follows:

1958 – Provincial Associations were formed in British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan.

1959 – Provincial Playdowns were held in four Provinces (BC, AB, SK, MB).

1960 – A five province Dominion Championship now including Northern Ontario was held in Regina, SK.  A Canadian Executive was elected with Aubrey Neff as its first President.

1961 – A six province Championship was held in Winnipeg, Manitoba and now included Southern Ontario.

1962 – First All Star Awards were presented.

1964 – A seven province Championship now including Nova Scotia, was held in Vancouver. 

1966 – An eight province Championship was held in Vancouver,  and now included Quebec and Prince Edward Island. Nova Scotia could not attend this year.

1970 – A ten team Championship was hosted in Shawinigan, Quebec.

1973 – Northwest Territories competed for the first time in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan.

1983 – Newfoundland sent representation to the event hosted in Brampton, Ontario.

2001 – Newfoundland and Labrador hosted for the first time in St. John’s.

Mr. Neff’s dream had become a reality, the Canadian Fire Fighters Curling Association. This is the only competition that gathers fire fighters from every province and territory in Canada to compete for a national championship. Every province and territory has now hosted this event.

Sadly, Aubrey Neff, our founding father passed away in Chilliwack, B.C. on Sunday, March 9, 1997, at the age of 74, after losing a courageous battle with cancer. The memory of his legacy will live on in the hearts of every fire fighter who participates in this curling championship. One man’s dream remains a reality for all who continue to champion his cause…….

2009 – 50th Anniversary championship was held in Charlottetown, PEI

2019 – 60th Anniversary championship was held in Kelowna, BC

2023 – The Covid19 pandemic interrupted our journey but after missing  2020, 2021, & 2022, we were able to hold our 61st Championship in Charlottetown, PEI.

The dream continues………………….

The CFFCA is not just about curling…..Over the years the CFFCA has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to the “Fire Fighters Charity”, Muscular Dystrophy Canada.

The history of the Canadian (Dominion) Fire Fighters Curling Association is kept in a display cabinet in the Winnipeg Firefighters Museum.
There are copies of ALL of the old event programs going back to 1960 as well as the Life Member and Hall of Fame Awards.

*Click on this link to see a complete list of the CFFCA Executive members from 1960 to Present