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It was a weekend of festivities (Saturday, 19 October) for Broadford Fire Brigade and the broader community, as they were recognised for 100 years of service.
The start date for the brigade has been in question for some time, with 1934 being the one documented until Broadford’s amateur historian, Sally Wearmouth, did a great deal of ground work to discover the Broadford Bush Fire League was actually first formed on 8 January 1902, when a well-attended gathering of landholders took place at the State School to decide what could be done to prevent and control bushfires in the district.
It was discussed that the disposal of cigarette butts was the cause of many fires and great damage, as was the lack of diligence around campfires and education around fire breaks.
However, to align with changes in state legislation, the Broadford Bushfire Brigade was officially registered in 1934, led by Captain Constable John Pattison. Following this, the needs of the township evolved, and the Urban Brigade was registered in 1947 before the two merged in 1989.
Captain Luke Crampton said the evening featured the unveiling of the mounted historic bell that once topped the station tower, with members ringing it for the first time since it was removed.
“The event was part of our bi-annual awards dinner, but this year we surprised our members with a greater spectacle to acknowledge the 100-year milestone,” Luke said.
“It was a great night to come together and recognise over a century of service.”
With a current membership of 67, and 38 of those operational, the brigade provides a vital fire and emergency service to the Broadford community and surrounding district.
With near 30 years of CFA experience, with 12 at Broadford and seven months as Captain, Luke said the brigade has recently recruited and are presenting with a strong, young membership.
“Our Brigade Management Team are almost all under 50, with a few in their twenties,” Luke said.
“We’ve recently reinvigorated our juniors program, with 11 very keen youngsters coming through the ranks.
“We’re really looking forward to increasing the skills and our support to the community over the next number of years.”
In 1942 the brigade received a motorised firefighting unit purchased for 175 pounds that was housed at a local garage until land was acquired for 25 pounds for a fire station. An electric siren and bell were purchased from 1951, while the Ladies Auxiliary was formed in 1957.
Works began on the new fire station in 1958 with twin-engine bays, a meeting room and toilets. While the brigade moved to their new and current station on Hamilton Street in April 2019 which now sees a 3 Bay drive through motor room, turnout areas for women and men, a brigade office, amenities for those with a disability, a workshop, multi-purpose room and sheds.
Luke said the brigade has learned many lessons through their active response, including large truck fires, flood support, and their extensive involvement in the 2009 February bushfires.
“The Kinglake Complex Fire significantly impacted the southern edges of the township, with fire reaching into the residential areas neighbouring the Hume Freeway,” Luke said.
“We also provided operational members and Incident Management Team personnel interstate during the 2019/2020 Black Summer fire season.”
So far this year, the brigade has responded to over 170 incidents including structure fires, bushfires, fires and other explosions and motor vehicle accidents.
Luke said this year also saw the brigade proudly receive a Breathing Apparatus (BA) Support vehicle to better assist beyond their community in CFA’s District 12 and surrounding areas.
“We regularly support response in Kilmore, Glenaroua, Strath Creek- Reedy Creek, Tallarook, Clonbinane and elsewhere as required on top of our primary support area,” Luke said.
“Within our facilities we now have a BA Compressor Room and recharge station to charge the BA cylinders. We’ve all been quite excited about this addition and what it allows us to do.”