Station Focus: 477 Ulladulla Fire Brigade 1972-2025

Ideas for the establishment of a brigade in the Ulladulla area were first proposed in July 1969. This was intended to provide fire protection not only to Ulladulla, but also to Milton and Mollymook. Action was promptly undertaken to acquire a suitable site for the construction of a fire station. Lot 14 Nurrawalle Street was determined to be the most suitable of the suggested sites owing to its relatively level land and its position within the proposed fire district.

With land for the station acquired, the brigade began to draft and sketch plans for a station building, with the plans soon completed in July 1971. The proposed building was to be a full brick building to allow for future potential of a split-level brick veneer residence. The Board of Fire Commissioners of New South Wales (BoFC) employed Hoffman Constructions Pty. Ltd from Bombaderry to carry out construction of the station building. Contracts of employment were signed with the builder on 1 December 1971 with work starting shortly after. The construction of the station was delayed due to an industrial dispute in the plumbing trades, which prevented the installation of sanitary plumbing in the building. Use of the station was further delayed by the absence of a footpath crossing outside the building. Construction was finally completed in October 1972. Ulladulla Fire Brigade became operational under the provisions of the Fire Brigades Act on 26 October 1972, boasting an authorised strength of one Captain and eleven Firefighters.

The original Ulladulla Fire Station, c. 1997 [Museum of Fire Collection]

Ulladulla Fire Station has seen a number of upgrades and changes throughout its years of service to the community. The brigade was designated as a primary rescue unit and was thus equipped to perform activities such as cliff rescues. Major renovations in 1997 saw the addition of a double engine bay, as well as the addition of a HAZMAT/rescue breathing apparatus cleaning sink. The renovations also saw the addition of unisex bathrooms, a uniform lobby, and a reworked watchroom with a new public entrance and lecture room.

Ulladulla Fire Station following its refurbishments, 1997 [Museum of Fire Collection]

Ulladulla Fire Brigade represented FRNSW at the Australasian Road Rescue Challenge held in Dubbo in July 2019. They represented FRNSW alongside crews from Dubbo and Wollongong. The brigades competed against approximately three hundred road rescue emergency service people, rescue competition assessors, and their families at the prestigious competition.

The Brigade attended a total of 347 incidents over the 2023-2024 period. They attended 56 fire related incidents. The Brigade carried out and attended 365 events related to ensuring community preparedness and fire safety education during this period.

Captains List

Name	Appointment as Captain	End of Service as Captain
G. E. Sayers	1972	1995
S. Farr	1995	2014
P. Collins	2014	Present

 Historic Fleet List

Year	Make/Model	Number	Type
1972	Ford Thames	151	Pumper
1983	International 1710B	611	Pumper
1997	Bedford MFR 4x4	730	Tanker
2001	Isuzu FRS 4x4	774	Pumper
2003	Isuzu FTR-800 4x2	513	Pumper
2004	Isuzu FTS-750 4x4	732	Pumper
2025	Isuzu ML160 CAFS Class 2	523	Pumper

Ulladulla Fire Station, 2024 [Courtesy Fire and Rescue NSW]

-Story by the Museum of Fire Heritage Team