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For this week’s blog we are taking a quick trip into the Museum’s Library to see what was making the headlines in “Fire News”, the official publication of the New South Wales Fire Brigades, NSWFB (now Fire and Rescue NSW, FRNSW). The year began, as they often do in New South Wales (NSW) with bushfires dominating in media reports. The most publicised was the 2003 Canberra bushfires which impacted almost 70% of the natural pastures of Australia’s capital city territory. After b

*This information is an extract from the colour-book produced by the Museum of Fire's Heritage Team to celebrate the history of Gulgong Fire Brigade/Fire Station. Should you wish to use any of the information and pictures provided we ask that you please reference the Museum correctly and contact the Museum for permission where applicable. The Gold Rush Fire Brigade (1875-c. 1880) With the discovery of gold in 1870 at Red Hill (the present-day site of Gulgong) the New South W

My last blog took a look back at the last year so it's perfect that this blog now looks to what we have planned for 2023! Our team at the Museum have a busy schedule of events planned for the year and I’m excited to see lots of visitors pass through our doors. Our calendar of public events kicks off on Sunday 12 February with our first Heritage Day of the year. The theme for this event is ladder, platform and aerial appliances. The two feature vehicles of this display day wil

30 years ago, on 27 December 1992 at 6:39pm fire crews were called to the Hampton Court Hotel at Kings Cross on Bayswater Road. The hotel had caught alight, beginning on the ground floor and was first noticed by staff working in the foyer office. The fire raged through the ground and first floor affecting the nightclub and bar present, with smoke damage affecting the upper residential levels of the hotel. The flames reached intense temperatures making it difficult for firefig

The “Blitz Truck" concept evolved in the mid-1930s from the desire of the British War Office to produce a standardised range of military vehicles for all British Commonwealth countries, except England itself, involved in war efforts. It was decided that these vehicles would be designed and built in Canada, due to the ready availability of materials, and expertise of American manufacturers. Both Ford and General Motors had plants in Canada at that time. Between 1939 and 1945 s

*This information is an extract from the colour-book produced by the Museum of Fire's Heritage Team to celebrate over 150 years of history of Albury fire brigade and the centenary of the Albury Civic fire station. Should you wish to use any of the information and pictures provided we ask that you please reference the Museum correctly and contact the Museum for permission where applicable. Albury’s early volunteer fire brigade (1863-1875) In February 1863 an article appeared i

As we head towards the end of the year it is timely to look at back at some of the events that occurred in NSW firefighting history 10 and 20 years ago! The team recently shared some stories that sent me down memory lane so it seemed prudent to share them with our loyal blog readers! Top Stories of 2002 Like many Summers in Australia the year 2002 began with a series of devastating bushfires. From 24 December 2001 until 11 January 2002 a record number of appliances responded

*This information is an extract from the colour-book produced by the Museum of Fire's Heritage Team to celebrate the centenary of Lakemba Fire Brigade/Fire Station which took place on 4 November 2022, with celebrations delayed by a year due to COVID. Should you wish to use any of the information and pictures provided we ask that you please reference the Museum correctly and contact the Museum for permission where applicable. The establishment of a Fire Brigade in Lakemba  

*This information is an extract from the colour-books produced by the Museum of Fire's Heritage Team to celebrate the centenary of Cessnock Fire Brigade in 2016 and when the station officially re-opened in 2025. Should you wish to use any of the information and pictures provided we ask that you please reference the Museum correctly and contact the Museum for permission where applicable. The establishment of a fire brigade in Cessnock On Wednesday 24 October 1906 the Maitland

The Fire Brigade Championships (as we know them today) began as ‘Demonstrations’ where fire brigades showcased their skills to the local community. Events at the ‘Demo’ are based on real situations that firefighters face daily and are designed to highlight their talent, expertise, and were used as a way to train firefighters. State Firefighting Championships now continue to be one of Fire and Rescue NSW’s (FRNSW; formerly NSW Fire Brigades) most longstanding and proudest trad