Historical information

This Fire Fighting Backpack was donated by the Emerald Fire Brigade which was established on 14 March 1941 as the Emerald Bush Brigade. Originally its equipment was stored at Madigan's butcher's shop near the corner of Monbulk Road. The Brigade's first fire station was built around 1945. In 1966, this station was recorded as containing the fire truck and a Land Rover pumper, three radio sets, 40 knapsacks, six lengths of hose, helmets, rake hoes and other hand tools. In 2010, the Brigade moved into a new purpose-built building in Monbulk Road. This Fire Fighting Backpack dates from around c.1960s.

Significance

This Fire Fighting Backpack Extinguisher was used for mopping-up and combating small fires by members of a crucial volunteer fire fighting service operating in the Emerald district since 1941.

Physical description

This galvanised metal Rega Fire Fighting Backpack Sprayer was used by Emerald CFA (formerly RFB) from 1960's. The main body of the spray tank is orange and has woven canvas shoulder straps with buckles for carrying on your back. On top of the oval tank is a lid with a chain which has "REGA SPRAYER" embossed onto it. It has a metal handle over the top of the lid, which is hinged and has two clips for docking the wooden handle of the sprayer hose when not in use. The wooden sprayer handle with a brass pump assembly is attached to the tank with a piece of hosing allowing for pressurized spraying. The backpack tank has the brand name "REGA" and "CFA" embossed on the front of the tank's well worn patina from many years of use.

Inscriptions & markings

"Emerald RFB" on the side of the tank. "OK 1/97" on the top near the lid