Burlington’s first full-time firefighter and former chief has died

Warren Corp, Burlington’s first full-time firefighter and long-time chief of the department has died.

News about Corp’s passing was announced today. He died Tuesday (Jan. 16) at Joseph Brant Hospital. Corp was 92.

Corp began fighting fires in 1954, when, with a population of just over 8,000, Burlington only had volunteer members of the department.

In a presentation he gave to the Burlington Historical Society in 2017, Corp said when he started the crews fought fires without the use of a hose and went into burning structures without a breathing apparatus or communications system.

Still, despite the risk, Corp persevered in his career and was dedicated to saving lives and protecting property.

Eventually, as Burlington grew, the need for a dedicated firefighter staff became apparent and Corp was hired as the first paid full-time member of the department.

Over the years Corp rose through the ranks but was also responsible for unionizing Burlington firefighters with the creation of Local 1552.

In 1972 Corp became chief of the Burlington Fire Department, a position he held for several years.

Flags at City Hall are flying at half-mast in his honour.