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

Poochera Brigade - 1952 to Present

The Poochera CFS Brigade was started in 1955 by Trevor Eley, a policeman stationed in Poochera at the time.

Initially the brigade started with nothing more than 44 gallon drums, filled with water and placed on platforms which were set up around the district at strategic vantage points.

The first truck, arriving the following year, was an old army Chevrolet Blitz. This was followed, in 1964, by a 1956 Bedford Tipper that the Streaky Bay Council had discarded and which the Poochera brigade rigged out themselves.

1956 also saw the districts of Chandada, Inkster, Cungena, Emerald Rise, Kaldoonera and Poochera combine to form the Poochera and Districts EFS. (Emergency Fire Services.)

Later, in 1968, another new Bedford was supplied from headquarters, followed by the Hino now in current use.

It seems that the Poochera Brigade was the first Brigade in the Streaky Bay Council area formed outside of Streaky Bay itself.

Early foundation members include L M Lynch, K Mudge, N Gosling, R Brace, A McCormack, N Lynch, L F Lynch, R Giles, J R White and T Cotton.

Murray Anderson was president of the Brigade and Trevor Eley the first secretary. Joe Lynch was the first captain appointed, later this position was held by his brother Laurence Lynch. Laurence at present holds the position of Group Deputy Captain. He was awarded a life membership in 1986, the first and only one the Poochera brigade has bestowed. In 1989 he was presented with a National Medal in Streaky Bay by the Director Mr McArthur. On Australia Day 1995 he was then presented with a 40 year Service Certificate.

Others who have given long service are K M Mudge who was president from 1965 to 1986 with the exception of 1975. Dave Dickens was president in 1975 and he was the main proponent of the brigade being equipped with two-way radios. A P Tomney held the position of secretary from 1966 till 1986.

The present fire shed is the old power house which was given to the brigade by the Streaky Bay District Council. The Brigade has just completed building an office in the shed.

Due to the changing role of the CFS Brigade, crew members are now required to be trained in the handling of dangerous chemical spills. They are also on call to attend road accidents as well as bush and grass fires.

Present office bearers are Garry Cotton, Brigade Captain, Kevin Quinn, 1st Lt. Paul Carey, 2nd Lt. Jim White, 3rd Lt. Peter Fleming, 4th Lt. Kevin Horgan, Equipment Officer, Damien Lynch, Training Officer, Greg White, Logistics Officer, Claire Cotton, Communications Officer and Malcolm Brace Administration Officer.

This information has been sourced from the Book ‘Towards the Mist’ compiled by EJ Davis

Brigade Stations

1952 to Present - Barnes Road, Poochera
Photographer, CFS Promotions Unit - Mar 2012
Google Map reference - Longitude 134.841493 Latitude -32.720836

Captains

Life Members