Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Memorabilia - Fire Brigade Collection, Warrnambool Fire Brigade, 1863-1950s
... hydrant...breathing apparatus...copper and brass extinguishers...copper and brass branches...canvas bucket...Discipline Certificates...Warrnambool Fire Brigade Football Club...L C Marshall...Officer’s jacket...blazer...turnout jacket...harness belt...leather helmet...pair of boots...brass helmet...axe belt with axe and plug spanner...Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village Great Ocean Road Shipwreck Coast Flagstaff Hill Warrnambool Maritime Village Maritime Museum CFA Fire Brigade Warrnambool Fire Brigade fire reel leather bucket wooden ladder pump fire extinguisher foam nozzle fireman’s hydrant breathing apparatus copper and brass extinguishers copper and brass branches canvas bucket Discipline Certificates Warrnambool Fire Brigade Football Club L C Marshall Officer’s jacket blazer turnout jacket harness belt leather helmet pair of boots brass helmet axe belt with axe and plug spanner clock mantle clock Warrnambool Fire Brigade Collection: a variety of historic objects and equipment used by the firemen of the brigade since 1863. ...
The original replica Fire Station at Flagstaff Hill was constructed in 2006 by members of the CVA Warrnambool Fire Brigade. It was rebuilt in 2015, ironically due to damage from fire in the adjacent building, and now includes a locked display. The fire station faithfully replicates the designs of the late 1800s fire stations found across Victoria. Every detail, including the type of nails used, adheres to period-correct specifications.
The objects on display are on loan from the CFA. They provide a glimpse into the history and evolution of firefighting in Victoria, preserving the heritage and legacy of the brave men and women who have served their communities.
Fire Brigade Collection highlights:
. Hose reels and equipment: essential firefighting equipment used during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
. Brass helmets: symbolic headgear worn by firefighters for protection and identification.
. Photographs: historical images capturing the evolution of firefighting in the region.
. Certificates: awards highlighting the skill and dedication of firefighters.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE WARRNAMBOOL FIRE BRIGADE - [Ref: Quarrell, A, 2013, The Warrnambool Fire Brigade: 1863-2013, Amazon Printing, Warrnambool]:
“Since the township of Warrnambool was established in the 1840s, there were several attempts at forming a Fire Brigade. However, many issues hindered progress. Firstly, minimal fires were recorded. Secondly, the town had no money to purchase expensive equipment, including a fire engine, and thirdly and most importantly, there was no infrastructure for accessible running water from pipes, as we know today.
But after the expansion and growth of the township, it was time for action. The Warrnambool Fire Brigade was formed in 1863. The Brigade has served Warrnambool on a daily basis ever since.
The volunteers of the Brigade were required to fill their water carts each evening from a spring on Cannon Hill and be on standby to deliver water to fire scenes. In 1889, the Warrnambool Council built a new Fire Station at 25 Liebig Street. Today, the Civic Centre is located on this site.”
The objects on loan from the Warrnambool Fire Brigade are significant to local history since its establishment in 1863. They tell the story of the Brigade’s history, which is part of Warrnambool and the district’s history.Warrnambool Fire Brigade Collection: a variety of historic objects and equipment used by the firemen of the brigade since 1863. The items are kindly on loan from the Warrnambool Fire Brigade in a building originally erected in the Village by the Fire Brigade to house their historic collection.
The items include:
EQUIPMENT: 2 fire reels, 3 leather buckets, 1 wooden ladder, 2 old pumps, 2 fire extinguishers, 1 foam nozzle, 2 hydrants, 1 red chest with breathing apparatus, 1 large grey chest, 1 red metal thread gauges box, 2 copper and brass extinguishers, 3 copper and brass branches, 1 canvas bucket, assorted reels of hose, assorted couplings and branches,
PHOTOGRAPHS/CERTIFICATES: 3 Discipline Certificates dated 1894, 1893, 1911, Mounted photo of members of the Warrnambool Fire Brigade Football Club, Mounted photos of members of the Warrnambool Fire Brigade in uniform, framed photo of LC Marshall
UNIFORMS: 1 Officer’s jacket, 1 blazer, 1 turnout jacket, 1 harness belt, 1 leather helmet, 1 pair of boots, 1 brass helmet, 1 axe belt with axe and plug spanner
TROPHIES: 1 clock
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