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In commemoration of its 100 th  birthday, the Museum of Fire is pleased to announce the 1926 ME 88 Garford Hale as the 2026 Vehicle of the Year. This small but mighty appliance served for over 40 years in a number of fire stations across regional New South Wales, an exemplar of early firefighting history in our state. Museum of Fire 2026 Vehicle of the Year the 1926 ME 88 Garford Hale fire engine, 2026 [Museum of Fire collection] The Garford Motor Truck Company and its Role i

The first thing visitors to the Fire and Rescue NSW Emergency Services Academy at Orchard Hills see upon arrival is a Garford Hale Type 15 Pumper. This isn't just any ordinary fire engine though and to answer your questions about the history behind the vehicle we've put together this blog. The appliance has a significant past as it was assigned to Station No. 205 Armidale in 1926 and used by the Brigade at the devastating F. Braund Store fire of 1933. In response to the valia