Australia’s longest serving volunteer brigade has celebrated its 170th anniversary.
Members of the Geelong City Fire Brigade gathered on Saturday night to mark the milestone event.
The brigade was started in March 1854, during a meeting which voted on a resolution to form a volunteer brigade, 64 members were elected and enrolled, with many being traders or merchants in the town.
History shows the first piece of equipment the brigade bought was a hook and ladder carriage, with the first engine arriving in June, 1855.
Current members are also raising funds to help with the fit out of its new BA vehicle.
“Over the first 90 years of the brigade’s existence, the brigade provided protection for Geelong through many dedicated volunteers,” Geelong City Fire Brigade Captain Jeremy Egan said.
“From CFA’s inception in 1945, the brigade expanded to include paid firefighters into its ranks and for the next 75 years, staff and volunteer firefighters stood side by side, committed to safeguarding homes and loved ones.
“There has been many events, fires, tragedies and triumphs over the years but one that sits strongly in our memory is the tragedy that struck at Linton, 25 years ago.
“Geelong West and Geelong City Fire Brigade trucks were trapped in a sudden wind change.
“The Geelong City crew was only 10-15 metres in front of the Geelong West crew.
“Our crew survived, only after exhausting the last of the water to protect themselves.
“Sadly, all five members of the Geelong West crew were killed.”
The Linton tragedy was the catalyst to many changes in CFA including training, equipment and crew protection and to this day, no firefighter has been lost in the same way.
As part of their 170 year anniversary celebration over the weekend, the brigade commissioned two awards for recognition of operational attendance and overall brigade support.
These were awarded to: Paterson Family Memorial Firefighter of the Year – John Paterson Senior, was a founding brigade member in 1854 and his 2 sons served the brigade with an aggregate 130+ years of continuous service. It was awarded to Ethan Bishop.
Captain’s Encouragement Award, the Captain George Murphy Memorial Award – Captain Murphy served the brigade in either an executive or officer position for in excess of 38 years. It was awarded to Ikuo Yazawa.
