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

Palmer Brigade - 1982 to Present

Over the years the residents of the Palmer district battled fires as any community would, by bandling together in times of need. However following the destruction of the large property on Reedy Creek Road towards Murray Bridge known as The Gums it was decided that Palmer needed its own fire service.

A meeting was called at the Palmer Hotel on Monday 12 july 1982 and it was clear from the numbers attending that the community fully supported the project, with the following people attending; M. SCHWERTFEGER, L. GEISLER, J. NEUMANN, J. RATHJEN, B. GEISLER, T. KAHL, K. NEUMANN, A SCHWERTFEGER, K. BROCK, C. WACHTEL, M. KEATLEY, B. BORCHARDT, P. NEUMANN, S. BOOTHEY, T. WIIFWER, S. COX, J. RATHJEN, T. PAECH, D. WHITROW, M. MUELLER,D. COPELAND, W. RATHJEN, M. ALLEN, G. CURNOW, K. WORK, D. SMALLACOMBE, B. COOKE, A. HAMEISTER (C.E.O., Mount Pleasant District Council). Apologies were received from A. J. KRAUSE and R. LINDNER.

From this meeting a committee was formed with A. J. KRAUSE President, D. SMALLACOMBE Vice President and K. WORK Secretary/Treasurer and soon after the first fire truck was delivered, a 1942 Chevrolet affectionately known as the 'Blitz'. Crews from Palmer and the district took part in fighting the Ash Wednesday Bushhres of 1983 and other incidents that arose in the district.

In 1984 after discussions with the Mount Pleasant Council it was decided that a fire station be erected and fundraising began. The Council had requested financial input from the Palmer Brigade and this would mean a new Toyota Landcruiser Fire truck. The first of many dinner dances and fund raising events was held at Collier Park Pavilion on 24 November 1984. Construction of the fire station at Collier Park opposite the Palmer Primary School began in 1986 with a $5,000 grant from the Mount Pleasant Council and the remaining costs and all labour was provided by the Palmer and district community.

Since that first meeting and the start of the fire service there have been many occasions when the Palmer CFS has been called to assist. Margaret NEUMANN, the school assistant, noted in her diaries that in 1984 a large bushfire started on "Rosebank" near Mount Pleasant and the Channel Seven Helicopter landed on Palmer oval with the school being used for a communications centre.' A large grass fire through Palmer hills on 17 January 1990 saw the road through the Palmer Hills closed to all traffic until the situation was declared safe.

The house that was destroyed by fire in 1982, 'The Gums', that triggered the community's desire for their own fire service, has since, been restored by S. and E. CANNY.

The management committee for 2006 - 2007 is as follows; Captain, P. CROUCH, Fist Lieutenant T. STOKES, Second Lieutenant D. STEPHENSON, Training Officer T. STOKES, President M. BORCHARDT, Vice President D. COCKER, Administration Officer D. BORCHARDT, Finance Officer D. STEVENSON.

Information from the book, Palmer Primary School 1882 - 2007

Brigade Stations

June 2013 to Present - Olive Grove Avenue, Palmer SA
Photographer, CFS Promotions Unit - Date Taken June 2013
Google Map reference - Longitude 139.161403 Latitude -34.854021

1982 to June 2013 - Olive Grove Avenue, Palmer SA
Photographer, CFS Promotions Unit - Date Taken
Google Map reference - Longitude 139.161403 Latitude -34.854021

Captains

Life Members