Geelong City Brigade celebrates 170 years of firefighting

AUSTRALIA’S first volunteer fire brigade, the Geelong City Brigade, last week marked its 170-year anniversary.

Established March 4, 1854, the brigade has supported the community through a variety of emergencies, protecting lives and property across both the region and as part of strike teams during large-scale events.

Brigade captain Jeremy Egan said the 170-year milestone was a big achievement and the formation of the fire service was unique for the time.

“When we walk through the station, we’ve got a lot of photos and memorabilia of everyone who has come along before us and it’s a bit of a reminder to say that they were here for the same reasons,” he said.

“They were here to try and protect the community and provide some safety for the community.

“This is what everyone’s been doing for such a long time and that’s really our focus, to be there in support when it’s needed.”

The brigade has had a busy summer, responding to several large fires in recent weeks.

It is now preparing for the Labour Day long weekend, with forecasted hot and dry conditions keeping the crew on high alert.

“The brigade’s been concentrating on the community support and safety, [but is] looking forward to celebrating a bit later in the year when it cools down,” Mr Egan said.

The brigade, with its crew of 20 members – 15 of whom are operational – is made up entirely of volunteers.

“We’re a pretty small brigade compared to a lot of others, but we actually have some really keen and invested members that really support and turn up,” Mr Egan said.

“A lot of the time we’re able to get a crew on a truck and that’s part of what I want to make sure we do as a captain, support and give people confidence to actually stand up and say, I can do this, I can turn out, I can volunteer, and I’ll be involved.”

Mr Egan said the Linton tragedy remained a key moment in the brigade’s long history.

December last year marked 25 years since the 1998 bushfire tore through the town of Linton, west of Ballarat.

Five firefighters from the Geelong West brigade were lost in the blaze, and the loss sparked a new emphasis on firefighter safety.

“The Geelong City tanker was only a couple of metres in front of that truck. Our members got out, just, and were very lucky to survive,” Mr Egan said.

“That really resonates with a lot of people, and I think the greatest thing about that terrible thing is we actually built some really great skills and training from that to stop it happening again. We’re very proud of that’s part of the legacy of something that was really bad.”

For Mr Egan, his personal highlights include instances where the brigade managed to save lives and prevent fire damage to the houses of community members.

“One time, we turned up to an old farmhouse and there was an old couple in there,” he said.

The couple had not been aware a bushfire was headed towards their home, and the brigade prepared themselves to protect both the property and its inhabitants.

“The funny thing about [the couple] was they sat there watching this fire come towards them and they asked us if we’d like some tea and some biscuits while we waited for it.

“We said ‘We might after the fire, but we’re a bit busy now’.

The brigade looks forward to welcoming a new vehicle in the coming months.