Unit handed over yesterday. Kiewa and Tangambalanga district volunteer firemen and residents turned out in force yesterday to see the new fire fighting unit to Kiewa brigade captain ,Mr I Macauley, by the president of No 24 Region, Victorian Rural Fire Brigades Association Mr Ivan Swinburne. MLC
The unit ia an austin 2-3 ton truck with a 400 gallon water tank and Grazcos Mark 30B power pump, capable of delievering water at 100 gallons a minute for filling purposes Rubber hoses are attached and through a one quarter inch nozzle, 100lb to the square inch pressure is obtained.
The truck is fitted to carry eight knapsack spray outfits,rakes,shovels,beaters,etc and a crew of eight men in safety comfort
In 1940, the
Kiewa and District Bush Fire Brigade was renamed the Kiewa Rural Fire Brigade.
Any equipment the brigade owned was stored on farms in the district.
In 1953, a cement
brick shed was built on land owned by Stan Speers in Kiewa East Road. In 1963,
the brigade purchased a Willy’s firetruck for 1700 pounds. In 1968, the first
radio was purchased for $544.00. A second radio was purchased in 1969 for
$458.00.
During the
1980’s, the roof was raised and an additional storage and work area was added
as trucks became larger and additional equipment (including an Army small town
unit) was purchased.
In 1992, a new
station was built on land owned by Murray Goulburn Co – op in Bonegilla Road.
In 2002, the Kiewa Group HQ was moved to Kiewa from Lindsay and Anne Jarvis.
In the 1940’s,
this brigade’s focus was on a rural landscape with two small residential areas.
The hazards were mainly wildfire and equipment was very basic.
The focus of
today’s brigade has to cover many more facets other than wildfire. We face
chemical spills, motor vehicle accidents, we use breathing apparatus, we have
protective clothing for a mirade of functions Many more resources are now
available to us.
In 1940, the
telephone was operated at an exchange on a shared (party) line with nearby
residents and you were connected by the operator, if and when they answered.
In 2008, you can
ring virtually anywhere from any location.
Kiewa Fire
Brigade is but one of ten brigades in the Kiewa Valley Fire Brigades Group. A
group we actively support and participate in.
The Kiewa Group
is one of six in Region 24. Groups all supply vehicles and personnel for strike
teams.
The Region is to
us the Country Fire Authority; they assist with Training, administration,
planning, and give guidance and support when necessary.
