The spraying units were manufactured in Australia by REGA Products. Ltd. in 1926. They established themselves as leaders in the production of agricultural and horticultural spraying machines, including smaller knapsacks. Knapsacks were quickly adapted to a range of applications and were widely used by the C.F.A (Country Fire Authority). They were also widely used for defence during World War II. REGA was later purchased by the Garrard family and still operate as part of Garrads Pty Ltd. This sprayer was one of the units used by the C.F. A. in Wodonga. The Country FIre Authority was established in 1945 following a Royal Commission into the 1939 Black Friday fires which recommended a single firefighting authority for country Victoria, bringing together the Bush Fire Brigades, Country Fire Brigades and Forest Commission. The first fire brigade, the Wodonga Urban Fire Brigade was formed in 1891 and registered in May 1893. Since that time its volunteers have provided ongoing support to the Wodonga and District communities through events such as urban fires, bushfires and other emergency situations. This item is representative of the Wodonga Country Fire Authority and its many volunteers.A knapsack sprayer designed to be used for spraying insects. The unit includes brass fittings, leather straps and a spray arm and nozzle attached. It was also adapted to be widely used by firefighters.On front: REGA / C.F.A. Around lid: REGA SPRAYERSrega sprayers, cfa region 24, cfa volunteers, cfa wodonga, wodonga urban fire brigade, fire fighting equipment

Victoria once had well over one hundred fire lookouts and firetowers. Fire lookouts, or observation posts, were often just a clearing on a hill or a vantage point, whereas firetowers were definite structures. Many were established by the Forests Commission Victoria (FCV) in the 1920s, but the network was expanded rapidly in response to recommendations of the Stretton Royal Commission after the 1939 Black Friday bushfires. When a fire or smoke was spotted from the tower a bearing was taken with the alidade and radioed or telephoned into the district office. It was then cross referenced with bearings from other towers on a large wall map to give a "fix" on the fire location Alidades and telescopes were used in the post war period but were replaced with a much simpler map table and reference string suspended from the centre of the tower cabin.Uncommon usageTelescope used in fire towers Ex military Kern Company NY Argus made in USA Adjustment lens, dials and focus ring Small spirit levelbushfire, forests commission victoria (fcv)

Victoria once had well over one hundred fire lookouts and firetowers. Fire lookouts, or observation posts, were often just a clearing on a hill or a vantage point, whereas firetowers were definite structures. Many were established by the Forests Commission Victoria (FCV) in the 1920s, but the network was expanded rapidly in response to recommendations of the Stretton Royal Commission after the 1939 Black Friday bushfires. When a fire or smoke was spotted from the tower a bearing was taken with the alidade and radioed or telephoned into the district office. It was then cross referenced with bearings from other towers on a large wall map to give a "fix" on the fire location Alidades and telescopes were used in the post war period but were replaced with a much simpler map table and reference string suspended from the centre of the tower cabin.Uncommon usageAlidade Sight TubeFCV and bearing markers on the alloy base. Very simple design. bushfire, forests commission victoria (fcv)

The Forest Fire Danger Index (FFDI) was originally invented by the grandfather of Australian bushfire science, Alan Grant McArthur, during the 1950s and ‘60s. Alan published his landmark paper, “Controlled burning in eucalypt forests” in 1962. Leaflet No. 80, as it was known, proved a turning point for forest and fire managers across Australia. More importantly, Alan was very practical forester and wanted his work to be useful to people in the field, so after several iterations he came up with the now familiar circular slide rule called the Forest Fire Danger Meter (FFDM).  The Mk 4 version first appeared in operational use in 1967. Two Forests Commission staff, Athol Hodgson and Rus Ritchie, built on McArthur’s pioneering work and by applying their own practical experience, developed a modified version in the late 1960s called the Control Burning Meter which was better suited to Victorian forest conditions.Introduced to the FCV in 1970Control burning meterbushfire, forests commission victoria (fcv)

Bushfire Prevention Week was initiated by the Forests Commission in 1930. Victoria’s State Governor, Lord Somers, the Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Sir Harold Luxton and the newly appointed Minister for Forests, William Beckett launched the innovative campaign with great flourish to 250 invited guests at Melbourne’s opulent Town Hall on Monday 13 January 1930. Special church sermons had been held previously on Sunday. The packed program of gala events included lavish luncheon talks at city clubs, scholarly lectures broadcast on the wireless, together with daily articles in the Melbourne and country press about the pressing need for fire prevention. The slogan for the ground-breaking campaign was… Prevent Bush Fires – It Pays… The Shell Petrol Company of Australia supplied 15000 windshield stickers, the British Australasian Tobacco Company donated a large supply of stamp stickers, while many other companies drew attention to the campaign in their newspaper advertisements. The Victorian Railways and many city firms displayed special fire posters, while Bryant and May posted messages on their limited-edition matchbox covers which are now highly prized by phillumenists (i.e. matchbox collectors). The Postmaster General's Department franked postage stamps and letters with special bushfire slogans. While plainclothes police were secretly deployed to the bush to arrest potential arsonists. Canvas and enamel fire prevention signs were erected on most roads leading to forest areas. Letters to the Editor later appeared in many city and country newspapers extolling the virtues of Bushfire Prevention Week and urging for its continuation as an annual event. Although a new idea for Australia, the Canadian Forest Service had been running a similar program for a few years. The Forests Commission in its 1929-30 Annual Report, under the title of "Propaganda", noted with some glee… "One of the most gratifying features of the ''Week" was its low cost to the Government, the major part of the publicity material being donated by private firms." And so for the next 50 years until the 1980s, Bushfire Prevention Week continued unabated with the Forests Commission producing a series of coloured “Magic Lantern” slides which were manufactured by Alex Gunn and Sons in Collins Street Melbourne for screening at Val Morgan cinemas. The slides famously introduced the menacing character, Willy Wildfire, warning motorists to be careful with matches. Now known as Fire Action Week, it remains a key event in the annual calendar for both DEECA and the CFA and is still going strong... These canvas fire awareness signs were used right throughout the period of the Forests Commission until the mid 1980sBushfire awareness signProtect your forests from firebushfire, forests commission victoria (fcv), forest signs

Fire schools were an important pre-summer program for all Forests Commission staff and crews They were designed as refresher courses for existing staff and training of new staff on how to use pumps and hoses FCV Forest Divisions were made up of separate forest inter-district and competitions were held. The award was displayed prominently in either the winning district or kept in the divisional office Charles Watson was appointed as the Divisional Forester at Wangaratta in 1949, before retiring in 1960.Silver cup on stand in wooden display case with glass frontNames of winners 1954 - F Halloran & B Curren - Upper Ovens 1955 - L J Mitchell & J D Hallen - Ovens ? 1957 - K R O'Kane & R E Warren - Upper Murray 1958 - A P Davis & D G Craig - Delatite 1959 - K N Gibson & R W Handmer - Mansfield 1960 - L Reid & I F McLaughlin - Benalla 1962 - P Breen & G Treloar - Bright forests commission victoria (fcv)

bushfire, forest signs, forests commission victoria (fcv)

Spraying units were manufactured in Australia by REGA Products Ltd. from 1926. REGA established themselves as leaders in the production of agricultural and horticultural spraying machines, including smaller knapsacks. Their metal knapsacks were quickly adapted to a range of applications and were widely used by the Forests Commission and Country Fire Authority (CFA). They were metal and very robust but heavy and uncomfortable to wear REGA was later purchased by the Garrard family and still operate as part of Garrads Pty Ltd. This sprayer was used by the FCV at Creswick No longer in use.The REGA spray unit includes brass fittings, leather straps with a brass pump handle and adjustable nozzle attached. Adjustable leather straps have "quick release" clips and studs Camm lock lid with chain attached FCV Creswick REGA stampbushfire, fire pump, forests commission victoria (fcv)

Used at fire basecampsWood fire used at basecamps Metal plates fold flat for transportforests commission victoria (fcv), bushfire, camping equipment

Base campView of base camp equipment at the Altona Museumforests commission victoria (fcv), camping equipment, bushfire

used at fire campsMetal food masherforests commission victoria (fcv), bushfire, camping equipment

Uniforms were not commonly worn by forest and fire staff. This uniform was tailor made for the Chief Fire Officer, Gary Morgan, in about 2000Chief Fire Officer uniform (jacket and tie) belonging to Gary Morganforests commission victoria (fcv), bushfire

The wooden mould was originally made in the early 1980s by one of the crew in his spare time in East Gippsland (Bairnsdale maybe). It was passed it on to Ian Long and then Barrie Marsden at Altona. It was not made for any particular purpose other than just a copy of the iconic FCV logo. It sat in the office at Altona for a little while until one day Barry thought it could be used to cast a solid replica. The wooden mould was taken to a foundry in North Melbourne and three bronze replicas were cast and polished. One was used when the Chief Fire Officer, Bary Johnson, was retiring More were cast in brass and the plaques became a standard presentation item for retiring FCV personnel. The wooden mould eventually cracked and can no longer be used. Hand madeWooden mould and presentation plaqueforests commission victoria (fcv), forest signs

Bushfire awareness gallows signs were common features during the summer fire season and hung outside both FCV offices and on major roadways These six large metal signs have different text on each side and the message and lettering is simple enough to be read from a moving vehicle Metal Fire awareness gallows signsforests commission victoria (fcv), bushfire, forest signs

The Forests Commission once had a flotilla of small fire boats on the Gippsland Lakes, Lake Eildon and the Murray River which were used for fire patrol and suppression.Fire patrol launch signforests commission victoria (fcv), bushfire, forest signs

Victoria once had well over one hundred fire lookouts and firetowers. Fire lookouts, or observation posts, were often just a clearing on a hill or a vantage point, whereas firetowers were definite structures. Many were established by the Forests Commission Victoria (FCV) in the 1920s, but the network was expanded rapidly in response to recommendations of the Stretton Royal Commission after the 1939 Black Friday bushfires. When a fire or smoke was spotted from the tower a bearing was taken with the alidade and radioed or telephoned into the district office. It was then cross referenced with bearings from other towers on a large wall map to give a "fix" on the fire location. Alidades and telescopes were used in the post war period but were replaced with a much simpler map table and reference string suspended from the centre of the tower cabin. This "Fire Finder" was used in Canadian fire towers to identify the location of wildfires. The unique design was first developed by the British Columbia Forest Service (BCFS) in the early 1950s. Close examination of the map indicates that this particular Fire Finder may have been once used at Bluejoint Mountain lookout in Granby Provincial Park. This Fire Finder was a gift to Barry (Rocky) Marsden from the British Columbia Forest Service in the late 1980s in recognition of the close relationships that had been forged with the staff at the Altona Workshops over many decades. Fire Finders were originally painted black but this one was repainted green after it arrived at Altona. The BC Forest Service had a large facility where they manufactured Fire Finders and many other items of equipment, but in the 1980s it was shut down. Heavy cast iron circular object with a paper topographic map mounted on it. The metal dial and ruler works similar to a compass. The sight tube is used to determine the bearing and elevation of the fire on the map. This Fire Finder also sometimes known as an Alidade. Its a different design from the Osborne Fire Finder widely used in North American fire lookouts from the 1920s. British Columbia Forest Service. Model 62A. Serial Number 6308.bushfire

Victoria once had well over one hundred fire lookouts and firetowers. Fire lookouts, or observation posts, were often just a clearing on a hill or a vantage point, whereas firetowers were definite structures. Many were established by the Forests Commission Victoria (FCV) in the 1920s, but the network was expanded rapidly in response to recommendations of the Stretton Royal Commission after the 1939 Black Friday bushfires. When a fire or smoke was spotted from the tower a bearing was taken with the alidade and radioed or telephoned into the district office. It was then cross referenced with bearings from other towers on a large wall map to give a "fix" on the fire location. Alidades and telescopes were used in the post war period but were replaced with a much simpler map table and reference string suspended from the centre of the tower cabin. This "Fire Finder" was used in Canadian fire towers to identify the location of wildfires. The unique design was first developed by the British Columbia Forest Service (BCFS) in the early 1950s. Close examination of the map indicates that this particular Fire Finder may have been once used at Bluejoint Mountain lookout in Granby Provincial Park. This Fire Finder was a gift to Barry (Rocky) Marsden from the British Columbia Forest Service in the late 1980s in recognition of the close relationships that had been forged with the staff at the Altona Workshops over many decades. Fire Finders were originally painted black but this one was repainted green after it arrived at Altona. The BC Forest Service had a large facility where they manufactured Fire Finders and many other items of equipment, but in the 1980s it was shut down. Heavy cast iron circular object with a paper topographic map mounted on it. The metal dial and ruler works similar to a compass. The sight tube is used to determine the bearing and elevation of the fire on the map. This Fire Finder also sometimes known as an Alidade. Its a different design from the Osborne Fire Finder widely used in North American fire lookouts from the 1920s. British Columbia Forest Service. Model 62A. Serial Number 6308.bushfire

Lightning is one of the major causes of bushfires, particularly in the remote mountains. This lightning detector system was developed by Dr. Peter Kourtz at Canada’s forest fire research institute. By 1977, some 300 were in use across the country. The small mushroom antenna could detect short-range (20-mile) changes in electrostatic field associated with lightning strikes. It needed to be placed out in the open on a hilltop and away from nearby trees. It simply counted the number of "strikes". The detector doesn't seem to have a direction finding capability or be able to distinguish between cloud-to-cloud or cloud-to-ground lightning. It's not sure how this particular unit found its way to Victoria. The Bureau of Meteorology's (BOM) current lightning detector network uses radio waves emitted by lightning to pinpoint the location of lightning strikes. The network is operated by a private company that sends data to the BOM in real time. Lightning detection systems use sensors like antennas, GPS receivers, and processing systems to detect radio waves, also known as sferics. The systems calculate the lightning's location and speed by measuring how long it takes for the radio signal to reach the different antenna stations. The BOM also has a Thunderstorm Tracker that uses weather radar data to identify areas of potential thunderstorm activity. The tracker updates every six minutes and shows the direction thunderstorms are moving, as well as their expected position in 10, 20, and 30 minutesLightning detector 1970sQ-Techforests commission victoria (fcv), weather, bushfire, bushfire aviation

Bushfire behaviour is influenced by many things including temperature, relative humidity, forest type, fuel quantity and fuel dryness, topography and even slope. Wind has a dominant effect on the Rate of Spread (ROS), and also bushfire size, shape and direction. Fuel arrangement is as important as fuel quantity (tonnes/ha). Fibrous and ribbon bark, together with elevated and near-surface scrub fuels act as ladders which lead flames into the tree canopy. But the availability of fuel to burn depends largely on its moisture content. When it exceeds 20-25% not much will burn, whereas 12-15% is generally ideal for fuel reduction burning, but if the moisture content drops as low as 7-10% virtually everything will ignite, and fire behaviour becomes extreme. During the afternoon of the Ash Wednesday bushfires on 16 February 1983 fuel moisture contents were recorded at Stawell as low as 2.7%. Fine fuels like leaves and bark can rapidly absorb moisture after a shower of rain, or from the air when the Relative Humidity (RH) is high, and the temperature is low. Conversely, they can also dry out very quickly. So even though the overall fuel quantity in the forest doesn’t change, the fine fuel availability can increase rapidly from zero after rain to many tonnes per hectare as the fuel dries out. This can happen over a few hours on hot and windy days. Heavy fuels like logs on the ground take longer to dry out. Since the 1930s foresters, firefighters and researchers have been working to develop quick and reliable techniques for measuring fuel moisture content. One of the most accurate methods is slowly drying a sample of fuel in a conventional oven for 24-48 hours to remove all the moisture and measuring the weight difference, but this takes time and is not practical in the field when rapid measurements are needed. But oven drying is often used as a benchmark to compare other methods. Microwave ovens are faster but can cause uneven drying and even char the fuel. They are also not very practical for use in the field. Some mathematical models rely on weather records such as rainfall, wind speed, evaporation, cloud cover, shading, relative humidity, slope, aspect and season of the year to predict soil and fuel moisture. The Keetch-Byram Drought Index of soil dryness is the most common. But complex fuels with leaves, twigs, grass etc make the predictive models often inadequate for fine fuels. The most common technique in Victorian forests until recently was the trusty Speedy Moisture Meter. Originally developed in England during the 1920s for measuring moisture in wheat and other grains it was adapted for Australian forest fuels in the 1950s (I think). Fuel was first ground using a spong mincer, often attached to the bullbar of a vehicle, and a small sample placed into the Speedy together with a measure of calcium carbide and then sealed. A chemical reaction created gas pressure which was read on the external dial. There were important techniques with cleaning, mincing and using the chemicals with the Speedy to give reliable readings, but it was quick, inexpensive, robust, portable and practical in the field. It was used routinely before igniting a fuel reduction burn or measuring fuel moisture differentials on slash burns. But in about 1996, Karen Chatto and Kevin Tolhurst from the Department’s Creswick Research Station developed the Wiltronics Fuel Moisture meter which measured electrical resistance. Wiltronics is an Australian owned company operating from Ballarat. The final result was a kit that was portable, accurate and could reliably measure fuel moisture contents between 3% and 200%. Although expensive, it is now widely used by fire agencies around the world which has virtually relegated the Speedy to the back cupboard.Prototype Fuel moisture meterT-H Fine Fuel Meterforests commission victoria (fcv), bushfire, forest measurement

Used to measure wind speed which is an important factor in fire behaviourHand held battery operated anemometer used to measure wind speedKestrel 3000forests commission victoria (fcv), bushfire, forest measurement

The Forest Fire Danger Index (FFDI) was originally invented by the grandfather of Australian bushfire science, Alan Grant McArthur, during the 1950s and ‘60s. Alan published his landmark paper, “Controlled burning in eucalypt forests” in 1962. Leaflet No. 80, as it was known, proved a turning point for forest and fire managers across Australia. More importantly, Alan was very practical forester and wanted his work to be useful to people in the field, so after several iterations he came up with the now familiar circular slide rule called the Forest Fire Danger Meter (FFDM). The Mk 4 version first appeared in operational use in 1967. This is the Mark 5 from 1973Alan McAthur's scientific legacy with the FFDI meter is unquestionably huge and has served forest firefighters very well over the decades.Cardboard fire danger meter Series of circular slide rules to calculate Forest Fire Danger Index (FFDI)forests commission victoria (fcv), bushfire

Alan McArthur from the CSIRO began his experimental burning program in the late 1950s near Canberra and published his landmark paper in 1962, “Controlled burning in eucalypt forests”. Leaflet No. 80, as it was known, proved a turning point for forest and fire managers across Australia. It led to the McArthur Forest Fire Danger Meter (FFDM) which first appeared in operational use in 1967 as the Mk 4. The CSIRO had developed its semi-automatic aerial incendiary machine dropping small capsules, with the first trial from a fixed-wing Cessna 337 at Manjimup in December 1965. In April 1969, the Forests Commission borrowed the second prototype of the CSIRO machine to carry out fuel reduction burning at Orbost. The success prompted the purchase of their own machine in 1970, which now sits in the Altona Museum. Pioneering machine in the development of aerial ignition in AustraliaAerial Incendiary Machineforests commission victoria (fcv), planned burning, bushfire aviation, bushfire

Alan McArthur from the CSIRO began his experimental burning program in the late 1950s near Canberra and published his landmark paper in 1962, “Controlled burning in eucalypt forests”. Leaflet No. 80, as it was known, proved a turning point for forest and fire managers across Australia. It led to the McArthur Forest Fire Danger Meter (FFDM) which first appeared in operational use in 1967 as the Mk 4. The CSIRO had developed its semi-automatic aerial incendiary machine dropping small capsules, with the first trial from a fixed-wing Cessna 337 at Manjimup in December 1965. Many technological and safety improvements followed including the Raindance machineAerial Incendiary Machine developed in Western Australia Rather than "ping pong balls" it uses a belt of incendiary "caplets" which are injected inside the machine before being ejected Raindance Systems R2forests commission victoria (fcv), planned burning, bushfire aviation, bushfire

Spraying units were manufactured in Australia by REGA Products Ltd. from 1926. REGA established themselves as leaders in the production of agricultural and horticultural spraying machines, including smaller knapsacks. Their metal knapsacks were quickly adapted to a range of applications and were widely used by the Forests Commission and Country Fire Authority (CFA). They were metal and very robust but heavy and uncomfortable to wear REGA was later purchased by the Garrard family and still operate as part of Garrads Pty Ltd. This sprayer was used by the FCV at CreswickThe REGA spray unit includes brass fittings, leather straps with a brass pump handle and adjustable nozzle attached. Adjustable leather straps have "quick release" clips and studs Camm lock lid with chain attachedREGA Creswickforests commission victoria (fcv), bushfire, planned burning, fire pump

Spraying units were manufactured in Australia by REGA Products Ltd. from 1926. REGA established themselves as leaders in the production of agricultural and horticultural spraying machines, including smaller knapsacks.Fire knapsack with carry handle Brass pump handle and adjustable nozzle attached.forests commission victoria (fcv), bushfire, planned burning, fire pump

Early water carrying bladder A number of accidents with these rubber tanks occurred on the fireline, particularly on tracks with steep side grades. The movement of the water sloshing and accumulating on the lower tank wall created an imbalance in the vehicle. The frayed anchor ropes, under strain due to constant rubbing on the high side wall of the vehicle, would snap, and the whole assembly of tank, pump and hose would break away from the vehicle and bounce down through the bushLarge rubber bag which held 80 gallons of water. Developed in the 1960s. It was strapped down in the back tray of Utes and attached to a small fire pump with a control valve. It was filled by a top tube that was clamped closed. It wallowed badly when the vehicle was moving, hence the common name of "Pig". When the bag was full it made driving dangerousDunlopforests commission victoria (fcv), bushfire, fire pump

Very early knapsack design using improvised materials.Fire knapsack made from rubber car inner tube which was slung over shoulder Brass pump handle and adjustable nozzle attached.forests commission victoria (fcv), bushfire, planned burning, fire pump

Spraying units were manufactured in Australia by REGA Products Ltd. from 1926. REGA established themselves as leaders in the production of agricultural and horticultural spraying machines, including smaller knapsacks.Plastic fire knapsack usually attached to the back of machinery Brass pump handle and adjustable nozzle attached.REGAforests commission victoria (fcv), bushfire, planned burning, fire pump

Spraying units were manufactured in Australia by REGA Products Ltd. from 1926. REGA established themselves as leaders in the production of agricultural and horticultural spraying machines, including smaller knapsacks.Metal fire knapsack usually attached to the back of machinery Brass pump handle and adjustable nozzle attached.REGAforests commission victoria (fcv), bushfire, planned burning, fire pump

After the 1939 bushfires the Forests Commission placed orders for 130,000 feet (nearly 40 km) of 1½ inch canvas hose in Britain to accompany over 200 new pumps of various types. The Altona workshop became a major centre for fabrication, repair and storage of hose. But lack of standardisation of hose couplings plagued Australian firefighters for decadesHose reel holder winder for canvas hoses Canvas hose needs to be washed, dried, rolled and stored properly after it has been used otherwise it will rot. Unrolled hose is notorious for becoming tangled.FCVforests commission victoria (fcv), bushfire, fire pump, fire tanker