City Departments
Box 690 Fire Department Canteen Association
Box 690 - Fire Department Canteen Association
Unit: 6902 - 1982 International Chassis
Retired Rescue Unit - converted to Field Kitchen
Box 690 - Fire Department Canteen Association was officially approved by the Council of the City of Cambridge in November 1988. Box 690 was modeled after Box 43 (Hamilton) and Box 12 (Toronto), Fire Canteen services which have been operating successfully for several decades. The name "Box 690" comes from reference to the early traditional street alarm box system used in larger cities, and the numerical part of the Cambridge Fire Department Radio System Identifier Code, "XJI 690." Initially, Box 690 only served the City of Cambridge. The service expanded to serve Kitchener (1991), Waterloo (city)(1992), and now serves most stations in North Dumfries, Wilmot, Wellesley, and Woolwich Townships. The City of Cambridge donated a 1978 GMC Panel Van (retired rescue unit) to Box 690 in 1995 which was retrofitted into a snack and drink wagon. This was replaced in November 2002 by a 1982 International Truck that was formerly in service as Kitchener Fire Departments' Rescue 8, which has now been overhauled into a mobile field kitchen.
Box 690 monitors fire dispatches in Waterloo Region 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is dispatched to reports of working fires. The Box automatically responds to all confirmed reports of working fires within Waterloo Region, prior to being dispatched. Box 690 responds to approximately 100 calls per year. All Box 690 members are volunteers who have a strong interest in the fire service. The truck (6902) is equipped to provide firefighter support and rehab at emergency scenes, including shelter (either warming or cooling as needed seasonally), lighting, clothing, and refreshments (which includes refrigerated bottled water, juice, Gatorade™, coffee, hot chocolate, hot dogs, chili, soup, stew, and small snack items (granola bars, cookies, peanuts, chips, and the like.)
Box 690 is a registered charity and is incorporated as a not-for-profit organization. They support their truck through a fundraising partnership with Doon Heritage Crossroads. Box 690 operates a refreshment booth at the Waterloo Regional Fire Muster in May of each year, the Canada Day Celebrations on July 1st of each year, and at the Fall Fair in September. Additional support from Cambridge, Kitchener, and Waterloo Fire Departments as well as the Professional Firefighters' Associations of these cities, along with the North Dumfries (Ayr), Wilmot, Woolwich and Wellesley Township Fire Departments is greatly appreciated.
Cambridge Fire Department is proud of our relationship with Box 690 and will continue to support them in their service venture.
Box 690 is an Associate Member of the Waterloo Regional Mutual Aid Fire Services Association.
If you have an interest in serving on Box 690 and would like additional information on how to join, please visit www.box690.com for further details.
Unit: 6902 - 1982 International Chassis
Retired Rescue Unit - converted to Field Kitchen
Box 690 - Fire Department Canteen Association was officially approved by the Council of the City of Cambridge in November 1988. Box 690 was modeled after Box 43 (Hamilton) and Box 12 (Toronto), Fire Canteen services which have been operating successfully for several decades. The name "Box 690" comes from reference to the early traditional street alarm box system used in larger cities, and the numerical part of the Cambridge Fire Department Radio System Identifier Code, "XJI 690." Initially, Box 690 only served the City of Cambridge. The service expanded to serve Kitchener (1991), Waterloo (city)(1992), and now serves most stations in North Dumfries, Wilmot, Wellesley, and Woolwich Townships. The City of Cambridge donated a 1978 GMC Panel Van (retired rescue unit) to Box 690 in 1995 which was retrofitted into a snack and drink wagon. This was replaced in November 2002 by a 1982 International Truck that was formerly in service as Kitchener Fire Departments' Rescue 8, which has now been overhauled into a mobile field kitchen.
Box 690 monitors fire dispatches in Waterloo Region 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is dispatched to reports of working fires. The Box automatically responds to all confirmed reports of working fires within Waterloo Region, prior to being dispatched. Box 690 responds to approximately 100 calls per year. All Box 690 members are volunteers who have a strong interest in the fire service. The truck (6902) is equipped to provide firefighter support and rehab at emergency scenes, including shelter (either warming or cooling as needed seasonally), lighting, clothing, and refreshments (which includes refrigerated bottled water, juice, Gatorade™, coffee, hot chocolate, hot dogs, chili, soup, stew, and small snack items (granola bars, cookies, peanuts, chips, and the like.)
Box 690 is a registered charity and is incorporated as a not-for-profit organization. They support their truck through a fundraising partnership with Doon Heritage Crossroads. Box 690 operates a refreshment booth at the Waterloo Regional Fire Muster in May of each year, the Canada Day Celebrations on July 1st of each year, and at the Fall Fair in September. Additional support from Cambridge, Kitchener, and Waterloo Fire Departments as well as the Professional Firefighters' Associations of these cities, along with the North Dumfries (Ayr), Wilmot, Woolwich and Wellesley Township Fire Departments is greatly appreciated.
Cambridge Fire Department is proud of our relationship with Box 690 and will continue to support them in their service venture.
Box 690 is an Associate Member of the Waterloo Regional Mutual Aid Fire Services Association.
If you have an interest in serving on Box 690 and would like additional information on how to join, please visit www.box690.com for further details.
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pictures of 6902 to follow