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On Thursday 16 January 2025, we hosted the awards ceremony for our 2024 Art Competition. At the Museum of Fire, we feel it is essential to pay tribute to our firefighters each and every day. Without their heroic efforts, there would be no stories to share, nor any history to preserve. As the official heritage partner to Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) it is our responsibility to ensure that future generations understand the great depth of history within the organisation. The ye

150 years Ago - the year 1875 - at least 9 fire brigades were formed in NSW. Though not a

As the year draws to a close, we always spend time reflecting on what stories and photographs were popular on our socials. Our team enjoy sharing historic incidents and anniversaries, just as much as we take pride in sharing the various updates we’ve made around the Museum and the various activities we’ve been taking part in. In what will be one of the last blogs for 2024 we’ve taken a look at the most popular images we’ve shared on Instagram. It is said that a picture speaks

On Sunday 8th September 2024 the Museum hosted our annual History Week Keynote Presentation with this years theme being "Marking Time". As the official heritage partner to Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) the Museum is in the habit of commemorating and remembering the role of firefighters and the history of firefighting each and every day. This year marks 140 years since the establishment of FRNSW with the passing of the Fire Brigades Act 1884. We remember this milestone with spec

As has become customary on the anniversary of our blog first being published, we take this opportunity to look back at the last twelve months and share the 10 most popular blogs. As we count down to the most popular blog of the year it is very evident to see from all popular blogs just how important remembering the past is. This is especially true when it comes to major disasters which impact entire communities. This is represented in the most read blogs. The Museum’s weekly

140 years ago, on 24 June 1884 the Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB) Board was gazette with the first MFB crew appointed and becoming operational on 1 July 1884. These twenty men were led by the newly appointed Superintendent William Douglas Bear, who originally hailed from the old Insurance Company Fire brigade, No. 1 Volunteer Company and the London Fire brigade. To read more about Chief Superintendent Bear check out this blog about him . The records reveal unique and interes

Throughout the month of May the Museum team has been kept very busy with lots of events and more projects throughout the Museum to update several exhibitions and displays. We also opened our temporary exhibit “The Longest Serving Regional Brigades in NSW”, which you may have seen if you visited the Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) display at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.   This year marks 140 years since the creation of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB), which today is known as

At the Museum of Fire we feel it is essential to pay tribute to our firefighters each and every day. Without their heroic efforts there would be no stories to share, nor any history to preserve. We acknowledge the proud history of Fire and Rescue NSW, formerly New South Wales Fire Brigade (NSWFB) and Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB); especially in this 140-birthday year of the organisation and note how much the organisation has changed and developed in that time. Despite havin

This year marks 140 years of continual service to the community by Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW). In highlighting this milestone, let’s go back in time to one of its first leaders. In 1884 FRNSW was known as the Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB) and whilst it was governed by a board, the chief firefighter in charge was known as the Superintendent and the first Superintendent was William Bear (1884-1898). Let’s take a look back at his history and his pivotal leadership which has s