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

Wirrulla Brigade - 1956 to Present

Wirrulla and district emergency fire service began with a public meeting held 9th December 1956. First president elected being M. S. Pearson.

A small cooper pump was purchased from A Baldock. Two tanks were donated by J. Reid and D. Miller. These were placed on a stand of railway sleepers near where the present station is today. In 1962 a second hand truck was purchased from Streaky Bay Council for 150 pounds, this was fitted with a Rex pump and other equipment that had been acquired, including a 2 way radio. A 20ft x 20 ft shed was built in 1969

A new Bedford cab chassis was supplied by council, and the old truck back fitted. Sometime later a complete new back was fitted in Adelaide.

1976 saw Wirrulla host the region 6 fire Drill Competitions. For several years Wirrulla competed in both regional and state competitions, with some success. We were the first in the state to run women in dry hose drills. Up to 25 people including juniors participated in these events.

Whilst these competitions were good training, they also enabled members to socialise with members from all Over the state. Many happy memories came from these events, such as the judges on the oval with their so called cups of tea, they really contained wine.

In the late 70's we bought our own CFS radios and set up our own base station. UHF C B’s were put into truck base, police station and police vehicle, thus giving us a common system of communication. We were probably the first in the state to do so. Due to problems getting early back up at fires, a second hand Toyota 4x4 was purchased. Money donated by the district in 1982 made this possible with volunteers spending many hours building it into a fire Unit.

In 1988 our ageing Bedford truck was replaced by a new Hino Diesel 4x4 fully equipped fire truck. This unit was fully funded by CFS Headquarters.

Council built a new fire station to house the larger truck, later adding a control centre in the rear of the building.

As our little Toyota was becoming dangerous - Council was asked if they would consider replacing this unit. They agreed to fund $23,000 towards a new one. Region 6 Headquarters suggested a larger unit and offered to supply a Mitsubishi canter twin cab 4x4, if council would put their money towards purchase. The fully equipped 1000 ltr capacity tank arrived in the year 2000. A very proud moment for Wirrulla CFS.

Both trucks are fully equipped, including latest foam injection system that expands water capacity three fold, CFS radios, CB radios, HF radio/telephones and Global positioning systems.

The Hino unit is presently being modified to carry special equipment for road crash rescue.

Wirrulla CFS has over 20 active members trained to level 1, fire fighting. Many have level two or three training. Most have first aid certificates. Five members are trained to operate breathing apparatus equipment (CABA) and also to handle dangerous substance incidents, such as spillages, truck accidents etc. Three are currently trained in road crash rescue, with more training to follow.

Fire fighting is now a minor part of the CFS volunteers work. Today it consists of incidents including chemical spills and road crashes, crime scene protection etc. All require greater skills.

Picture 1: CFS Life Members, Back L-R: B Roberts, E Greatbatch, E Greatbatch, R Greatbatch, L Roberts. Front J Duncan, I Greenfield, J Greatbatch - Picture 2: Wirrulla CFS

Information from the book 'Wirrulla, the town with a secret'. History of Wirrulla and Districts.

Brigade Stations

2011 to Present - Hay Street, Wirrulla
Photographer, Narelle Huett - Apr 2012
Google Map reference - Longitude 134.530751 Latitude -32.404101

Captains

Life Members