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*This information is an extract from the colour-book produced by the Museum of Fire's Heritage Team to celebrate the centenary of Kearsley Fire Brigade becoming independent in 1926, at a ceremony held on Friday 7 August 2026. 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. In the early 1920s, the town of Kearsley was thriving, with five coal mines,

Australia is one of the most fire-prone countries on Earth. Bushfires are not an occasional crisis, they are a recurring part of life that has shaped landscapes, tested communities, and pushed emergency services to their limits. To acknowledge this history, the Museum of Fire recently launched an exhibition highlighting this history. The fires in this exhibition span more than half a century, each leaving their mark not only in loss, but in what was learned - driving change i

The Leyland Crane with a Ford D400 at Five Dock Workshops, c.1970s [Museum of Fire Collection] This month marks ten years since the restoration of the Museum’s 1938 Leyland Crane. The Crane was purchased by the Museum of Fire in June 2010 and took just over six years to restore, with the Museum receiving a highly commended award at the National Trust Heritage Award. During the mid-1930s, recovering damaged or broken-down vehicles was a major logistical issue for fire brigades

Firefighters attack the fire [Photograph by Michael Connaughton, courtesy of Fire and Rescue NSW] In the early hours of Friday, 24 June 2016, firefighters were called to furniture factory in Greenacre that was well alight. The factory contained a spray booth and a large quantity of paints and thinners. A large explosion in the factory resulted in flames and a severe weakening of the building’s structure. A number of 000 calls were reported at 2:47am and the crews from Banksto

The history and formation of Bellbird Fire Brigade is inseparable from the area’s coal mining history. The establishment of mines in the area began in the early 1900s, and with that brought the establishment of a nearby village in 1908. The looming threat of fire and the destruction it wrought, was soon made apparent after the Bellbird Mine disaster of 1923. Explosions at the Bellbird Colliery, one of the busiest coalfields in the region, on 3 September 1923 caused a number o

Chief Officer Bill Reay [Museum of Fire Collection] When Bill Reay reflected on his time as Chief Officer, he described the role as “honouring and humbling… rewarding and demanding… satisfying and frustrating – but above all, challenging”. It was a fitting summary for a man whose leadership of the NSW Fire Brigades was defined by integrity, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to service. Reay was the NSWFB’s 18th Chief Officer, and notably, the first Inspector ever promo

Wyong State Championship, 27-29 October 2016 [Photo courtesy of Fire and Rescue NSW] The Firefighter Championships began as ‘Demonstrations’ or ‘Demos’, where fire brigades exhibited their skills to the local community. Events in the Demos were based on real situations firefighters faced daily and were designed to highlight their talent and expertise whilst having the extra benefit of being a form of training. This week, our Championship historian and guest blogger John Hand,

Wentworth Falls' Third Fire Station [Image courtesy of Wentworth Falls Fire Brigade] Establishment of a Wentworth Falls Sub-Station and Brigade In 1937 suggestions were made for the establishment of a sub-station in Wentworth Falls. The sub-station would be equipped with a hose cart, and other necessary equipment for the fighting of bushfires. This would eventuate in 1943 with the establishment of the sub-station comprised originally of 10 Auxiliary Reserve Corps members, wh

The first Moss Vale Fire Station, c.1895 [Image courtesy of Moss Vale Fire Brigade] The question of fire protection in Moss Vale was brought to the forefront of the town’s consciousness after a fire in April 1893, which nearly destroyed several properties near Aland’s Hotel on the corner of Argle Street and Lackey Road. The incident highlighted the town’s acute lack of fire protection, which led to successful discussions within the Moss Vale Council to form a local volunteer

At the Museum of Fire, we enjoy taking the public on a walk down memory lane. Sometimes that walk is a long one as we delve back over a hundred years, but it can also be a short one. Today, we take a quick jump back a decade to 2016. Cranebrook Bushfire, 4 November 2016. [Photographed by Retained Firefighter Brendon Roberts, courtesy of Fire and Rescue NSW] It was in November 2016 that a fast-moving fire, originating in Cranebrook, spread to the nearby Llandilo and Londonderr