SA Country Fire Service Promotions Unit - History Section
Promoting the Historical foundations of the Service

Blackwood Brigade - 1950 to Present

1934

On July 16th 1934, a public meeting was held in the Blackwood Club Hall of residents of Coromandel Ward (now Craigburn Ward) and Upper Sturt Ward (now The Park Ward) with concern regard the disastrous outbreaks of fire in the Blackwood area during the summer of 1933/4 which led to the Ashby Homestead being destroyed. It was apparent that help was not going to be forthcoming from the City brigades. A deputation was sent to the Mitcham Council Meeting on November 5th 1934 to seek council support in the appointment of Fire Officers and purchase of firefighting equipment for the cost of 150 pounds.

On 19th November 1934, the Blackwood Volunteer Fire Brigade and Fire Control Committee was formed. Equipment was purchased for 37 pounds being 6 knapsack sprays, 6 steel rakes, 2 kelly axes, 6 buckets first aid kit, 6 water bags and 100 gallon tank on wheels with 60 foot of 3/4 inch hose. Fire Control Officers were appointed and gazetted. The equipment was stored at the Blackwood Bandstand.

1936

During 1936, additional equipment was purchased being 18 44 gallon drums to store water. These were located at Eden Hills, the Blackwood bandstand and in National Park (6 at each locale). There was a lack of interest for about 7 years and the next meeting of the Volunteer Fire Brigade was not until 9th December 1943. There was a flurry of activity at this time with all the equipment being brought back into full working order and being distributed further around the area. It was also proposed that a number of firebreaks were to be burned but whether they were is not known.

1950

On 17th February, 1950 a Beresford-Stork trailer pump was presented to a group of 9 volunteers at the Blackwood Cold Store by the Director of the Emergency Fire Service, Mr Fred Kerr. A buckboard belonging was used to tow the trailer pump. This was the formation of the Blackwood Emergency Fire Service (now Blackwood Country Fire Service).

At the end of 1950 work had already begun on the first Blackwood fire appliance. A second-hand Ford chassis was purchased and a masonite body was built for it. In December 1951 the trailer pump was mounted on the appliance and the appliance stationed in the Blackwood Fire Station located in Gorse Avenue Hawthorndene. This appliance saw 9 years of service before replacement including the fires of Black Sunday in January 1955.

1960

On 7th May 1960, the second Blackwood fire appliance, an International AA130 costing 1265 pounds plus 415 pounds for bodywork replaced the Ford appliance. This appliance saw 12 years of service including the 2 Blackwood High School Fires.

1972

The Blackwood open cab International was replaced on December 12 1972 with a four wheel drive International D1610 which cost $5390..

1982

In December 1982 the Blackwood Fire station was extended and refitted in readiness for the new fire appliance because the old station was too small to accommodate the larger size appliance.

1983

On the 22nd of April 1983 a new four wheel drive appliance replaced the Blackwood International appliance. It is a Mercedes Benz 911B built by the Mills Tui Fire Apparatus Co. of New Zealand. It is fitted with a Darley mid-mount pump, carries 2000 litres of water, breathing apparatus, foam making equipment and at that time heavy hydraulic Rescue Equipment.

1986

In August 1986 a second appliance was stationed at Blackwood Fire Station. The Mitcham Hills command vehicle being a Landcruiser utility was replaced and following some refitting, became a Grassfire appliance carrying 450 litres of water, pump and hosereel.

1992

The Blackwood Landcruiser was replaced in 1992 by an Isuzu Dual-cab Rescue Appliance. It is fitted with a Darley mid-mount pump, hosereel, breathing apparatus and 1400 litres of water allowing it to perform normal firefighting duties but it also carries a Positive Pressure Fan for ventilation at structure fires and Hydraulic Heavy Rescue Equipment for extrication at motor vehicle accidents.

This information has been sourced from the Brigade website at this address

Brigade Stations

1950 to Present - Gorse Avenue, Blackwood
Photographer, CFS Promotions Unit - Aug 2011

Captains

Life Members