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

Aerial photos were used to make maps of forest types, timber resources, to survey logging areas and regeneration, to mark boundaries of public land and new plantations, to identify new roads and tracks, as well as for fire suppression. Infrared film was sometimes used to monitor insect and disease attack. The images needed to sharp, with high contrast, and in a large format (most were printed in B&W on 9-inch by 9-inch glossy photographic paper) with at least a 60% overlap to enable stereoscopic viewing and with a 20-30% side lap to allow for aircraft drift. Preferably, the photo scale was close to the final map scale avoid to problems when enlarging and to reduce distortion. Something was needed to supplement the very expensive and infrequent large-area photography programs. From the mid-1960s Victorian foresters began experimenting with small format 70mm and 35mm cameras which proved simple, practical, cheap and flexible. It was found that any SLR camera could be used provided it had a good quality lens and fast shutter speed (preferably down to 1/1000 second). Motorised cameras with a large film capacity had obvious advantages and were essential when access to the camera was not possible during flight. It is also essential for the shutter to operate at low temperatures and those lubricated with silicones were recommended. Components of a typical FCV Divisional Office system included – A Hasselblad or Vinten 70 mm format aerial camera with a focal plane shutter which could be electrically operated. Interchangeable lenses to allow for different photo scales and flying heights. Several large film magazines, which were loaded in a darkroom, each with a capacity of 100 feet or approximately 500 frames. A remote control for the camera in single-shot mode or automatic firing at selected intervals of 2 to 50 seconds. It also needed a frame counter. A light aircraft was modified with an internal mounting for the camera to keep it level and steady. Often a hole was cut through the floor for the lens. The aircraft also needed an inbuilt 12 Volt DC battery to operate the motorised camera shutter. The front passenger seat was generally removed to improve access to the camera. An Aldis drift sight was also fitted. This might be likened to an inverted periscope and is used to determine drift, to facilitate accurate navigation along flight lines and to determine the exposure interval for stereoscopic overlap. This item is kept at Traralgon.Hasselblad 500 ELM camera with 70mm lens, film pack, motor drive and battery In 1964 Hasselblad started production of a motorized camera, the 500 EL The EL/M is a modified version of the EL, "M" means modified, "EL" electric. Perhaps the most famous use of the Hasselblad camera was during the Apollo program missions when man first landed on the Moon. Almost all of the still photographs taken during these missions used modified Hasselblad cameras. forests commission victoria (fcv), forest measurement, surveying, mapping

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

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 with two 1&1/2 inch and one 2&1/2 inch canvas hosesforests commission victoria (fcv), bushfire, fire pump, fire tanker

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 decadesFigure 8 hose 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

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 pressure testing kit. 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

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 decadesTools used to clamp canvas hose for testing. 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

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 decadesWicker basket used on the end of suction hose to stop debris entering the pump forests commission victoria (fcv), bushfire, fire pump, fire tanker

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 decadesTools used undo brass coupling on canvas hose 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

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 decadesHolders to carry canvas hose rolls 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.forests commission victoria (fcv), bushfire, fire pump, fire tanker

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 decadesUsed to repair canvas hose A rubber patch is placed over the hole in the hose and clamped. It is then heated electrically to melt the rubber patch 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.forests commission victoria (fcv), bushfire, fire pump, fire tanker

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 decadesUsed to attach couplers to canvas hose The tool is held in a large clamp and stretches the coupler onto the hose. A tension bar is used to control leverage 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.Warren Brownforests commission victoria (fcv), bushfire, fire pump, fire tanker

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, pumps and specialised equipment.Underground peat fires are very difficult to extinguish Water tends to just run off and not penetrate when sprayed onto the surface Peat spears are driven into the ground and connected to high pressure hose to inject waterforests commission victoria (fcv), bushfire, fire pump, fire tanker

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 decadesRega hose keyREGAforests commission victoria (fcv), bushfire, fire pump, fire tanker

Hand water pumpSIMACforests commission victoria (fcv), fire pump, bushfire

Was recovered from the Forestry School at CreswickDennis Turbine engine fire pump Guildford motor Dated April 15 1921forests commission victoria (fcv), fire pump, bushfire

High pressure Johnston Tremblay HOK pump. It was invented in about 1940 by Mr. J. Tremblay, fire-chief & director of public safety for Montreal forests commission victoria (fcv), bushfire, fire pump

The Pacific Marine company was based in Seattle on the west coast of America and manufactured its first satisfactory portable fire pump 1925. These early Type N pumps were replaced in 1933 by the more familiar Type Y pumps. The updated pumps proved popular with the US Forest Service, and a large number were purchased by the Forests Commission as part of the equipment upgrade program in the wake of the 1939 bushfires. The Pacific Marine had a 9.8 Hp, two-cylinder, two-stroke petrol motor running with a high oil mix ratio of 16:1, so it blew vast clouds of blue smoke as the motor screamed at 4500 rpm. Part of its unique design was the water-cooled engine and muffler. But if the flow of water was interrupted the engine would quickly overheat and seize, so it needed constant monitoring and attention. Water was driven through a pair of bronze impeller gears which also needed a constant flow of water otherwise they would also self-destruct. When running properly, a Pacific Marine could pump 63 US gallons per minute, or about enough to fill a 200-litre drum. But its main feature was its high pressure of up to 225 psi. Pacific Marine pumps were often mounted on top of departmental fire tankers and used to spray water into the tops of burning trees. Compared to other pumps of the era it was light weight at only 70 pounds and was often mounted on a wooden stretcher frame. But they were cantankerous things to start with the rope pull and many exasperated novices came away with skinned knuckles. Modern Honda motors, which were more reliable and smoother running, replaced the Pacific Marines as the pump of choice for forest firefighters in the 1980s.High pressure Pacific marine Pumpforests commission victoria (fcv), bushfire, fire pump

In 1937 Sigmund Pumps company founded by Miroslav Sigmund, in Czechoslovakia; and successfully tendered for a British government contract to make firefighting pumps. In 1938 they moved to Britain soon after Hitler's annexation of Austria. Sigmund Pumps (Great Britain) Ltd was founded at the Team Valley trading estate in Gateshead By 1939, 3000 pumps had been manufactured at the new factory.Sigmund two handle pump with hoseSigmund Pumps (Great Britain)forests commission victoria (fcv), fire pump, bushfire

The earlier Pacific Marine pumps were not replaced and were auctioned off during the 1980s. The ever reliable Wajax Mk3 remained a fire cache item ready to be called on should a specific need for a small transportable pressure pump arise. The Wajax Mk3 has been in circulation since the 1950’s, and through that time has undergone several upgradesHigh pressure Wajax Mk 3 pump With hand primerforests commission victoria (fcv), bushfire, fire pump

REX Fire Pumpforests commission victoria (fcv), fire pump, bushfire

In 1937 Sigmund Pumps company founded by Miroslav Sigmund, in Czechoslovakia; and successfully tendered for a British government contract to make firefighting pumps. In 1938 they moved to Britain soon after Hitler's annexation of Austria. Sigmund Pumps (Great Britain) Ltd was founded at the Team Valley trading estate in Gateshead By 1939, 3000 pumps had been manufactured at the new factory.Sigmund two handle pump level pumpforests commission victoria (fcv), fire pump, bushfire

The Gaam 30B pump delivers 80 Gallons per minute @ 80 PSI The original Howard engine, equipped with a rope start, could be temperamental and difficult to start on occasions, and were replaced with an electric start 7 HP Wisconsin motor. This modification was designed and installed by the FCV Fire Protection Workshop at North Altona in the early 1960s.Wisconsin 7HP motor coupled to a Gaam 30B pump With hand primerforests commission victoria (fcv), fire pump, bushfire

Lister fire pump on wooden carry cradle With suction hoseListerforests commission victoria (fcv), fire pump, bushfire

Alcon fire pump with Briggs and Stratton motor on metal carry cradleforests commission victoria (fcv), fire pump, bushfire