Narre Warren Fire Brigade - History of The Brigade

History of The Brigade

On February 10 1944, a public meeting was called for the purpose of forming a fire brigade for Narre Warren. It was resolved that a volunteer brigade would be formed and the Narre Warren Bush Fire Brigade was born. Officers and a committee were elected and it was decided that all members would pay six pence a year to cover insurance costs.

The brigade was first registered with the Country Fire Brigades Board on March 4 1944. By October 1944, the equipment list consisted of ten knapsacks, ten basil beaters, six plain beaters, two axes, two slashers and two rakes which were kept in a small shed.

On April 2 1945 the Narre Warren Rural Fire Brigade was registered with the Country Fire Authority.

By mid 1948 a trailer and pump had been issued to the brigade and the first Narre Warren Fire Station was completed using donated materials and volunteer labour.

In 1967 a levy was imposed on land owners and $3000 was raised to buy an Austin chassis and cab, which was later fitted by the CFA. On August 15 1967 the truck was picked from the Ballarat workshops. This truck was unfortunately burnt out in the Ferntree Gully Fires and was rebuilt and served the public until January 1983.

On July 31 1968 the Hallam Valley Rural Fire Brigade amalgamated with the Narre Warren Rural Fire Brigade.

In January 1983 the brigade was issued with an International, 600 gallon fire truck as a replacement for the Austin. Only three weeks later the truck and seven crew perished in what turned out to be the darkest day in the brigade's history, February 16 1983, the Ash Wednesday Fires.

In September 1984 the brigade's first female Officer was elected. That year the brigade also purchased an Isuzu crew cab.

In January 1985 brigade members moved into a new fire station in Fullard Road. After over 20 years at Fullard Road, Narre Warren have relocated to their 3rd, Purpose built, 3 bay fire station at 292 Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road, Narre Warren South.

In February 1987 a Hino Tanker replaced the International issued in 1983.

1993 saw the conversion of the Isuzu Tanker into a Lighting Unit, carrying four generators and capable of generating 18,000 kW of power. August saw the arrival of the International, 650 Pumper.

1995 saw the brigade receive a Ford trader type two pumper, carrying 1000 litres of water and 100 litres of "B" class foam.

1998 saw the arrival of a new Hino 6 speed Tanker, 2,500 litres of water and with 100 litres of class "A" foam.

1999 saw the arrival of a new Pumper, an Isuzu FRR550 type three light pumper, capable of pumping 3,700 LPM carrying 1200 litres of water, 100 litres of "A" class foam and 200 litres of "B" class foam.

In April 2001, land was purchased by the CFA on Narre Warren Cranbourne Road for the purpose of building the new Narre Warren Fire Station.

In May 2001 the brigade purchased and commissioned a replacement lighting/catering unit.

October 2004 saw the arrival of a new pumper, a type 3 medium Isuzu FTR900 crew cab.

November 2004 saw the arrival of a new 3000 litre tanker, a Hino Ranger PRO 8Z 3.4D (4X4).

In 2006 the brigade replaced its support van with a Ford Courier utility that is used as a troop carrier and support for the catering unit.

The brigade has now replaced the Ford Courier Ute with a Ford Territory XT 2WD

In 2010 the bridge replaced the Ford Territory with a Nissan Patrol forward command vehicle.

In 2011 the brigade moved to its new purpose built three bay station at 292 Narre Warren-Cranbourne Rd, Narre Warren.