Berwick Fire Brigade
Berwick CFA - history
With the first Berwick Urban Fire Brigade being registered in 1926, the brigade is now in it’s 95th year. The fire station is located on Reserve Road, near the station, but was originally between Wheeler Street and Rutland Street. The original station was a small weatherboard building about the size of modern day garden shed. A bell tower was erected at the top of the Boulevard (High Street) on the medium strip, being the only way to alert it’s members when there was a fire.
The Berwick Urban Fire Brigade stayed on High Street for six years, until it was relocated to Gloucester Avenue in 1932. This station was build with the help of local community funds and a contribution from the Country Fire Brigades Board (CFBB).
A Brigade First
The brigade also acquired it’s first motorised vehicle in this year. This was the first motorised fire fighting vehicle in the Region and was constructed on a Buick chassis by a local businessman A. McNabb, whose engineering ingenuity brought the pumping apparatus into existence. It was to become the model for future CFBB motorised appliances.
The first ten years saw only twelve fires for the brigade to attend, with the first real challenge occurring in 1941, when two trucks collided and ignited the local petrol station located on Princes Highway. One fireman was horribly injured, portraying the dangers volunteers face protecting the community.
In 1945 the Country Fire Authority (CFA) was formed and Berwick Fire Brigade was incorporated into it’s structure. The brigade then attended a major fire in 1955, where three shops caught fire, located between the Mechanics Library and the Berwick Inn. Other fires of note were in 1973, where a wing of the St Michael’s Catholic School was destroyed, 1975, a Gloucester Avenue house fire that resulted in a death and the Berwick Railway Station fire in 1978, that was deliberately lit and destroyed the station. It was only the brigade’s efforts that saved the then, “state of the art” signalling equipment.
Berwick volunteers have been heavily involved in the Ash Wednesday fires in 1983 and a campaign fire fight in the states north-east, based around Bright in 1984. This was the same year the brigade opened it’s new fire station in Reserve Road. Berwick CFA also secured a new 4 wheel drive tanker to go a long with the new station!
The Modern Era
The brigade attended the Longford gas works indecent near Sale and numerous fires in New South Wales as well as another campaign fire in the north-east in 2003 stationed around Omeo. This was the year the brigade reached a milestone benchmark and topped the state with a 100% Service Delivery Standard!
In 2004 the Aquarium next door to the fire station was the scene for one of the largest fires in Berwick. Volunteers had to pass the engulfed centre to get to the fire station, with six fire trucks and two aerial appliances in attendance.
Today the Berwick CFA has over 50 active members and responds to between 400 and 550 emergency call per year.
fund raising day.
Berwick Volunteer Fire Brigade receive their new command vehicle in 2016
Fire Equipment servicing
Fire equipment servicing is not only important for fire safety and compliance to construction code requirements on your site, but using Berwick CFA for this service also helps provide much needed funds to your local brigade.
We can service your portable fire equipment at your business to ensure you and your staff are safe! The brigade can service and inspect fire extinguishers, fire hose reels, fire blankets and lay flat hose (fire hoses). We also sell portable equipment and many accessories and parts.
Berwick CFA has been supporting the local community since it’s registration in 1926 as the Berwick Urban Fire Brigade. It originally only consisted of twelve members!
These people, many of their names being synonymous with the history and development of Berwick Village, became the first volunteer firemen of Berwick. They established the brigade which today, continues to provide outstanding contribution to the community.
As with today, the original brigade found it tough going and had to rely on it’s own ingenuity and fund-raining, with many social functions organised to help purchase much needed fire fighting equipment.
Berwick CFA still benefits from the help of the local community for it’s fund raising. Many donations are made by local businesses such as Ritchie’s IGA and the Berwick Op Shop.
Local funding helped with the upgrade of the Berwick Fire Brigade’s Field Command Vehicle in 2016 and the brigade were also out with donation tins in November 2017 when they were raising funds for life-saving equipment such as a defibrillator and an oxygen resuscitation kit.
So if you wish to help your local brigade, this is a great way to start!