Post by Emjay on Mar 9, 2013 20:08:34 GMT 10
History of City of Sydney Fire Station (NSWFR)
The Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB), the precursor to the Fire & Rescue NSW, was established on 14 February 1884. MFB headquarters was operating from the old Insurance Brigade Headquarters in Bathurst Street, and there was a pressing demand for a new central fire station. In July 1884 the Government purchased a site on the western side of Castlereagh Street for the sum of £10,000, and in 1888 the new station was completed.
This is the original hand crafted switchboard. It can be seen in all its glory at the Museum of Fire in Penrith. Well worth the visit.
The Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB), the precursor to the Fire & Rescue NSW, was established on 14 February 1884. MFB headquarters was operating from the old Insurance Brigade Headquarters in Bathurst Street, and there was a pressing demand for a new central fire station. In July 1884 the Government purchased a site on the western side of Castlereagh Street for the sum of £10,000, and in 1888 the new station was completed.
This is the original hand crafted switchboard. It can be seen in all its glory at the Museum of Fire in Penrith. Well worth the visit.
All fire stations were given a number as they were built, starting with Headquarters or No 1, but City of Sydney was not actually the first fire station built for the MFB, the honour going to Marrickville which was opened in 1886.
The design, by the Colonial Architect’s Department, was considered innovative for its time, and included features drawn from the experiences of the London Metropolitan Fire Brigade. As a result station remains a rare example of Victorian free classical architecture. The original building was erected with a large courtyard to the rear, creating two multi-storey wings, each of which was fitted with external metal balconies.
A small stables building was located in the rear courtyard, behind the three main engine bays which had direct access to the street. The harness and the sway bars for the horses were suspended over each horse by means of weights running into tubes, which tripped themselves when the collar was snapped to, and the horses went into the engine bay.
From dusk till dawn, junior firefighters spent three hours on a twenty metre high tower (called the pigeon box) undertaking fire spotting duty.
A watchroom was located on the northern side of the ground floor and telephone exchange board, fire alarms and electrical apparatus were operated from there. The electrical contact in the room, when pulled, rang the bells throughout the entire building, turned up the gas lamps in the engine bay, released the stable doors (which immediately flew open by means of springs), and released a weight situated in the single men’s quarters on the first floor which opened two flaps to enable firefighters to slide down a pole. The original switchboard has been restored and is on display in a replica of the watchroom at the Museum of Fire, Penrith.
In 1893, the station’s workshops were enlarged and this was the first of many alterations and additions to take place at Headquarters.
An adjacent brick warehouse at 211 Castlereagh Street (known as the Boot Factory) was leased by the Fire Brigades in 1902 and was used to manufacture items such as canvas, rope lines, uniforms and boots. The property was purchased in 1923, and the interior converted for a gymnasium, carpentry shop, workshops and dormitory.
In 1907, the original building was extended along Castlereagh Street to the north. The new four storey buildings were originally used for administrative purposes and accommodation. In 1928 an enlarged fleet of motorised appliances necessitated the ground floor’s conversion into two engine bays, and the Boardroom and offices were relocated to the first floor.
The need for a new and enlarged fire station was identified as early as 1934, yet, despite the submission of numerous proposals, the project was not progressed.
In July 1999, an application was lodged with City of Sydney Council for works comprising refurbishment, adaptive reuse and new accommodation. This proposal saw the retention of the 1887 building together with the façade, engine bays, front rooms and main staircase of the 1907 additions. It also included the construction of a new building incorporating purpose built engine bays and state of the art firefighter’s facilities.
The foundation stone was laid by the Minister for Emergency Services, Bob Debus and Fire & Rescue NSW’s Commissioner Ian Mac Dougall AC AFSM.
Construction of the new station was completed in February 2003. Restoration of the 1887 building commenced in March 2003.
The design, by the Colonial Architect’s Department, was considered innovative for its time, and included features drawn from the experiences of the London Metropolitan Fire Brigade. As a result station remains a rare example of Victorian free classical architecture. The original building was erected with a large courtyard to the rear, creating two multi-storey wings, each of which was fitted with external metal balconies.
A small stables building was located in the rear courtyard, behind the three main engine bays which had direct access to the street. The harness and the sway bars for the horses were suspended over each horse by means of weights running into tubes, which tripped themselves when the collar was snapped to, and the horses went into the engine bay.
From dusk till dawn, junior firefighters spent three hours on a twenty metre high tower (called the pigeon box) undertaking fire spotting duty.
A watchroom was located on the northern side of the ground floor and telephone exchange board, fire alarms and electrical apparatus were operated from there. The electrical contact in the room, when pulled, rang the bells throughout the entire building, turned up the gas lamps in the engine bay, released the stable doors (which immediately flew open by means of springs), and released a weight situated in the single men’s quarters on the first floor which opened two flaps to enable firefighters to slide down a pole. The original switchboard has been restored and is on display in a replica of the watchroom at the Museum of Fire, Penrith.
In 1893, the station’s workshops were enlarged and this was the first of many alterations and additions to take place at Headquarters.
An adjacent brick warehouse at 211 Castlereagh Street (known as the Boot Factory) was leased by the Fire Brigades in 1902 and was used to manufacture items such as canvas, rope lines, uniforms and boots. The property was purchased in 1923, and the interior converted for a gymnasium, carpentry shop, workshops and dormitory.
In 1907, the original building was extended along Castlereagh Street to the north. The new four storey buildings were originally used for administrative purposes and accommodation. In 1928 an enlarged fleet of motorised appliances necessitated the ground floor’s conversion into two engine bays, and the Boardroom and offices were relocated to the first floor.
The need for a new and enlarged fire station was identified as early as 1934, yet, despite the submission of numerous proposals, the project was not progressed.
In July 1999, an application was lodged with City of Sydney Council for works comprising refurbishment, adaptive reuse and new accommodation. This proposal saw the retention of the 1887 building together with the façade, engine bays, front rooms and main staircase of the 1907 additions. It also included the construction of a new building incorporating purpose built engine bays and state of the art firefighter’s facilities.
The foundation stone was laid by the Minister for Emergency Services, Bob Debus and Fire & Rescue NSW’s Commissioner Ian Mac Dougall AC AFSM.
Construction of the new station was completed in February 2003. Restoration of the 1887 building commenced in March 2003.
We have above in order of issue the first of this type of patch to be issued:
NSW Fire Brigades Angry Axes – 1979 - 1983 - Originally, as per design, the axes featured the blades facing upwards. Designer explains, "This was the case for no other reason than the axe blades fitted into the design better in the 'up' position, than in the 'down' position." However, it was later discovered that under the conventions of heraldry, this was a sign of aggression, and therefore the axes were later altered to the current downward facing blades.
The rank patch is Qualified Fire Fighter
The Chaplain patch I dont know when that was issued but is now obsolete - any help in the timeline would be appreciated.
NSW Fire Brigades 1983 to 31 December2011
This is the patch that replaced the Angry Axes in 1983 and became obsolete in December 2011 when the NSWFB changed its name to NSWFR (NSW Fire & Rescue).
Fire & Rescue NSW 1 January 2011 to current
On January 1, 2011 the NSW Fire Brigades (NSWFB) changed their name to NSW Fire & Rescue (NSWFR) and now have a shoulder patch carrying their new name.
NSW Fire Brigades Angry Axes – 1979 - 1983 - Originally, as per design, the axes featured the blades facing upwards. Designer explains, "This was the case for no other reason than the axe blades fitted into the design better in the 'up' position, than in the 'down' position." However, it was later discovered that under the conventions of heraldry, this was a sign of aggression, and therefore the axes were later altered to the current downward facing blades.
The rank patch is Qualified Fire Fighter
The Chaplain patch I dont know when that was issued but is now obsolete - any help in the timeline would be appreciated.
NSW Fire Brigades 1983 to 31 December2011
This is the patch that replaced the Angry Axes in 1983 and became obsolete in December 2011 when the NSWFB changed its name to NSWFR (NSW Fire & Rescue).
Fire & Rescue NSW 1 January 2011 to current
On January 1, 2011 the NSW Fire Brigades (NSWFB) changed their name to NSW Fire & Rescue (NSWFR) and now have a shoulder patch carrying their new name.
The HAZMAT Pathces
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......................History of the NSW Rural Fire Service
Prior to 1900: Group firefighting was fragmented and was often a case of every man/woman for themselves.
1896: Serious fires in NSW and Victoria were the catalyst for brigade formation. Berrigan in NSW claimed as the first brigade in Australia. First official mention of Berrigan Brigade is November 1900.
1906: A Local Government Act authorised local government councils to form bushfire brigades throughout the state.
Up to WWII: Not much progress.
WWII: Federal Government wartime security regulations required that the pace of the war effort be maintained. They imposed bush or rural fire prevention orders and set up a special Bush Fires (Emergency) Committee.
Post WWII: This Committee formed the basis of the post-war Bush Fire Committee from 1945 onwards, which developed the legislation that became the Bush Fires Act in 1949.
One of the most important provisions was, for the first time, a Bush Fire Fighting Fund from which local government could purchase equipment for their brigades. The fund continues today with State and Local Governments and the insurance industry contributing.
1958: The first Fire Prevention Association was established, which was concerned with developing firebreak systems and other means of preventing fires on vacant Crown land.
1896: Serious fires in NSW and Victoria were the catalyst for brigade formation. Berrigan in NSW claimed as the first brigade in Australia. First official mention of Berrigan Brigade is November 1900.
1906: A Local Government Act authorised local government councils to form bushfire brigades throughout the state.
Up to WWII: Not much progress.
WWII: Federal Government wartime security regulations required that the pace of the war effort be maintained. They imposed bush or rural fire prevention orders and set up a special Bush Fires (Emergency) Committee.
Post WWII: This Committee formed the basis of the post-war Bush Fire Committee from 1945 onwards, which developed the legislation that became the Bush Fires Act in 1949.
One of the most important provisions was, for the first time, a Bush Fire Fighting Fund from which local government could purchase equipment for their brigades. The fund continues today with State and Local Governments and the insurance industry contributing.
1958: The first Fire Prevention Association was established, which was concerned with developing firebreak systems and other means of preventing fires on vacant Crown land.
NSW Bush Fire Brigades
The first is a very early 1960's Patch. After picking up the second two patches I later discovered that underneath the one with the blue background.
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In 1967 the silks were distributed
1970: Amendments to the Bush Fires Act took into account problems arising from so many statutory and voluntary organisations involved in firefighting. The Bush Fire Committee was reformed into the Bush Fire Council with representatives from all organisations involved. (Originally 25 representatives, later increased to 27, and finally comprised 16.)
The Bush Fire Committee was replaced by the Bush Fire Council, with members drawn from the various fire fighting authorities from around the state. A special Co-ordinating Committee was established to oversee the co-ordination of fire-fighting and related resources prior to and during the bush fire season, and particularly during bush fire emergencies. A Chief Co-ordinator of Bush Fire Fighting was also appointed.
Then In January 1975, the Bush Fires Branch of the NSW Chief Secretary's department integrated with the State Emergency Service and renamed the Bush Fire Service.
The Bush Fire Committee was replaced by the Bush Fire Council, with members drawn from the various fire fighting authorities from around the state. A special Co-ordinating Committee was established to oversee the co-ordination of fire-fighting and related resources prior to and during the bush fire season, and particularly during bush fire emergencies. A Chief Co-ordinator of Bush Fire Fighting was also appointed.
Then In January 1975, the Bush Fires Branch of the NSW Chief Secretary's department integrated with the State Emergency Service and renamed the Bush Fire Service.
In the 1980 the bush fire council disbribute this type of patch with the laurel leaves and small yellow crown. The laurel leaves became the standard in all patches that followed.
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If there are other patches that I am not aware of out there for the Bush Fire Council of NSW please post them.
In 1983 These patches were issued.
In 1983 These patches were issued.
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1986 Saw the NSW Bush Fire Brigades distribute the white patch for white overalls, the orange patch for orange overalls and the blue patch for blue dress shirt uniform. All 3 patches came out with both the kings crown (seen below in the orange patch) and the queens crown (seen below in the white and blue patches. 3 pips instead of 5 at the base of the crown).
The next patch is what will be the basic design of patches that follow and the standard patch of the time. The other 2 patches are prototypes never issued.
The next patch is what will be the basic design of patches that follow and the standard patch of the time. The other 2 patches are prototypes never issued.
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These two are rank patches, the first being basic firefighter rank patch and the 2nd is the crew leader patch. Both are obsolete and were issued around this time.
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........................1990: The Department of Bush Fire Services was set up to administer the NSW Minister for Emergency Services' responsibilities under the Bush Fires Act. NSW Bush Fire Brigades changed to the NSW Bush Fire Service.
1992 The official NSW Bush Fire Service patch was issued.
1995 The NSW Bush Fire Service Chaplain patch was issued.
December 1993 - January 1994: The most protracted and largest firefighting effort in Australian history with 20,000 firefighters deployed at over 800 fires throughout NSW.
September 1997: Following a lengthy Coronial Inquiry into the fires of 1993-4, the NSW State Government introduced legislation creating for the first time, a single rural fire service with a single chain of command. The Rural Fires Act, 1997 was proclaimed in September.
The NSW Rural Fire Service was established by the Rural Fires Act 1997 which was assented to on 10 July 1997 and came into force on 1 September 1997. The Rural Fires Act repealed the Bush Fires Act, 1949 thereby dissolving the Bush Fire Council and its Committees. Members of these bodies ceased to hold office but were entitled to hold office on a replacing body.
These 3 patches were issued. The first being the traditional patch then came the Chaplains patch and then the plastic blue patch for leather jackets. These were all issued in 1997 but of course there are others that fall within the above patches posted. These are only what I have collected and will add more as they become available.
September 1997: Following a lengthy Coronial Inquiry into the fires of 1993-4, the NSW State Government introduced legislation creating for the first time, a single rural fire service with a single chain of command. The Rural Fires Act, 1997 was proclaimed in September.
The NSW Rural Fire Service was established by the Rural Fires Act 1997 which was assented to on 10 July 1997 and came into force on 1 September 1997. The Rural Fires Act repealed the Bush Fires Act, 1949 thereby dissolving the Bush Fire Council and its Committees. Members of these bodies ceased to hold office but were entitled to hold office on a replacing body.
These 3 patches were issued. The first being the traditional patch then came the Chaplains patch and then the plastic blue patch for leather jackets. These were all issued in 1997 but of course there are others that fall within the above patches posted. These are only what I have collected and will add more as they become available.
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The Rural Fire Service Advisory Council of New South Wales was established. The Council was to consist of nine representatives with a direct or indirect association with bush fire prevention and control; the Commissioner in charge of bush fire fighting services was ex-officio to be the Chairperson of the Council.
The task of the Council was to advise and report to the Minister and Commissioner on any matter relating to the administration of rural fire services, and to advise the Commissioner on public education programs relating to rural fire matters, training of rural fire fighters, and on the issue of Service Standards.
A statutory body – the Bush Fire Co-ordinating Committee - also was established. This was to consist of 12 members including the Commissioner who was to act as Chairperson. The Committee was to be responsible for the administration of rural fires management as well as advising the Commissioner on bush fire prevention.
The Committee was to constitute a Bush Fire Management Committee for "the whole of the area of any local authority for which a rural fire district is constituted". Each Management Committee was to prepare and present to the Council a plan of operations and bush fire risk management plan for its area within three months of establishment. The former was to be reviewed every two years; the latter every five years.
Section 102 of the new act established the New South Wales Rural Fire Fighting Fund to replace the New South Wales Bush Fire Fighting Fund. Quarterly contributions from insurance companies, local councils and the Treasury were to continue in the same proportions as under previous legislation - 14 % from the State Treasury, 73.7% from the insurance industry and 12.3% from local Councils.
There were several patches issued after these first operational ones as follows. I dont know when these were issued but sometime between 1997 and 2000
The task of the Council was to advise and report to the Minister and Commissioner on any matter relating to the administration of rural fire services, and to advise the Commissioner on public education programs relating to rural fire matters, training of rural fire fighters, and on the issue of Service Standards.
A statutory body – the Bush Fire Co-ordinating Committee - also was established. This was to consist of 12 members including the Commissioner who was to act as Chairperson. The Committee was to be responsible for the administration of rural fires management as well as advising the Commissioner on bush fire prevention.
The Committee was to constitute a Bush Fire Management Committee for "the whole of the area of any local authority for which a rural fire district is constituted". Each Management Committee was to prepare and present to the Council a plan of operations and bush fire risk management plan for its area within three months of establishment. The former was to be reviewed every two years; the latter every five years.
Section 102 of the new act established the New South Wales Rural Fire Fighting Fund to replace the New South Wales Bush Fire Fighting Fund. Quarterly contributions from insurance companies, local councils and the Treasury were to continue in the same proportions as under previous legislation - 14 % from the State Treasury, 73.7% from the insurance industry and 12.3% from local Councils.
There were several patches issued after these first operational ones as follows. I dont know when these were issued but sometime between 1997 and 2000
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With the 2000 Sydney oplymics, we saw these patches issued.
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The Rural Fire Service Headquarters is situated on Carter Street, Lidcombe.
Today: Over 70,000 volunteer firefighters are formed into about 2,100 brigades in 143 rural fire districts. They fight fires in over 95 per cent of the State and are responsible for property protection in about 1,200 towns and villages
I have to thank Nick from Lawson NSWFR for his input in helping me find the timelines of these patches.
After visiting the Museum of Fire at Penrith I have decided to bequest this collection to them.
Today: Over 70,000 volunteer firefighters are formed into about 2,100 brigades in 143 rural fire districts. They fight fires in over 95 per cent of the State and are responsible for property protection in about 1,200 towns and villages
I have to thank Nick from Lawson NSWFR for his input in helping me find the timelines of these patches.
After visiting the Museum of Fire at Penrith I have decided to bequest this collection to them.
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