In 1877, the Great Saint John Fire razed much of the city and in the process destroyed the city’s original Fire Bell. In that same year a replacement bell was manufactured and brought into service where it remained in use until the mid 1960s.

In 1986, as part of the 200^th anniversary of the Saint John Fire Department, Local 771 decided to dedicate this bell as a monument to the city’s fallen fire fighters.

            There was much debate about where the Bell Monument should be sited. Finally, with Common Council’s approval, a prominent site in King Square was chosen. After the site was confirmed, the Local had to decide the design of the monument, the construction materials and skilled trades required, in addition to how the bell should be cleaned, and how it should be moved etc.

The beautiful monument that we have today is testament to the work provided by members of the Local, government officials at all levels, local artisans and especially members of Local 1, International Union of Bricklayers, and Local 18 Canadian Union of Public Employees, all of whom worked tirelessly to ensure the monument was ready for dedication.

            The Bell Monument commemorates all Saint John Fire Fighters who have died in the line of duty.  During the research process for the 200^th Anniversary Celebrations, the committee discovered a report prepared by Chief Engineer Thomas Marter dated 1874. Listed in the report was an expense of $120.00 for the funeral of a firefighter who died on May 24, 1874. The firefighter’s name was Robert Greer and his tragic death remained silent for 112 years. On the day the memorial was rededicated surviving family members of all the fallen fire fighters, including descendants of Fire Fighter Greer’s family, were in attendance.