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On
December 21 1934, the inaugural meeting was held, of what was known as
the Burnside Hills Fire Fighting Fund, under the leadership of Councillor
J.A. Harper.
The first gathering considered the fire dangers of the Burnside Council
area which was, in those days, orchards and paddocks. As a result of this
meeting, the Burnside Council area was split into 4 areas, the Stonyfell
Group, Waterfall Gully group, Greenhill Road group and the Mt. Barker
Road group. Each group sought donations from local land owners for equipment
such as rakes, buckets, shovels and knapsacks. This equipment was housed
in sheds built, or on land owners properties.
The first vehicle on record available for firefighting purposes was a
water tanker from Dunstan Quarries (now known as Quarry Industries). Throughout
the 1930's, many outbreaks of fires were recorded in the Burnside area,
in particular, the Mt. Osmond and Waterfall Gully regions.
On December 16 1936, the name of the organisation was changed to the Burnside
Hills Firefighting Association, which remained until the name changed
to the Burnside Emergency Service in 1957.
1939 saw devastating fires widespread across South Australia, and the
Mt. Osmond, Waterfall Gully and Eagle on the Hill areas were badly effected.
The 1940's saw the outbreak of war, and this put considerable strain on
the service as the men went off to war, petrol rationing came in for vehicles
and it was thought that 40 gallons would be sufficient to be distributed
amongst the groups. Also burning off was thought to be desirable to reduce
the risk of fire in the event of incendiary bombs being dropped during
an air raid.
The 1950's saw a greater structuring of the service with increased equipment
levels and more public education. The brigade purchased its first trailer
pump during this time. Records show the fire history in the Burnside Hills
was fairly consistent up until this time two large fires occurred in the
area in 1950 and in 1955. Each year showed fires started in similar areas,
however, this was largely due to the topography, fuel loadings and wind
patterns.
The 1960's saw many changes in the brigade; an air raid siren was purchased
to call members to fire calls, the brigade also purchased its first Land
Rover appliance equipped with water tank and pumps. A shed adjoining the
Council yard was used to house the Land Rover and equipment. 1976 saw
the Brigade purchase their first HF radios for communications. Eventually
all appliances had these radios installed, and a base radio was set up
in the shed. 1967 also saw the brigade purchase its first heavy pumper
by way of an International appliance. The Mayoress Mrs. G. Bolton formed
the first Women's Auxillary of the brigade in 1967, and in their first
year they were kept busy with numerous fires they were called to cater
for.
On May 4 1968, the then Mayor Mr. W Langman Esq., opened the present Fire
Station. It was considered at the time to be the most modern Station in
the state, also the Director of the Emergency Fire Service (E.F.S.) Mr.
F.L. Kerr commissioned the new International appliance. Burnside E.F.S.
at this time was a 2 appliance strong brigade with a strong membership
and the latest in technology. Also, at this time, the first F.A.C.U. Phone
Alarm System was installed enabling members to receive fire calls in their
homes.
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The 1970's opened with considerable action, with a major fire in the Skye/Greenhill
Area. This fire burnt to the Burnside Hills fringes, and it burnt for
34 hours and involved approximately 1,000 volunteers from far and wide.
The brigade purchased a new cab chassis for their International appliance
in 1970. This overcame braking and power problems experienced with the
former cab chassis. 1970 also saw the brigade compete in state competitions
for the first time and they put in a creditable performance for their
first effort.
April 1972 saw another large fire in the Montacute/Skye area, the fire
burnt 7 square miles and once again the fringes of Burnside were threatened.
1972 saw the Brigade purchase a Toyota Landcruiser, with members spending
several hundred man hours in the build up of this appliance. This enabled
the Brigade to access rough terrain in the Burnside Hills more readily.
The early 70's saw women taking a more active role in training, basic
firemanship and in the operation of the radio room. Burnside was one of
the first brigades in the state to have women in an active role.
1977 saw the Brigade purchase Compressed Air Breathing Apparatus (CABA)
for the first time, with members undertaking training at the Metropolitan
Fire Service (MFS) Headquarters. 1977 saw the formation of the new Country
Fire Services (CFS) Board and a new CFS Act, also the CFS had its first
Headquarters built with a 24 hour communications centre, with backup and
support for brigades around the state. 1979 saw the end of an era with
the retirement of the then Director Mr F.L. Kerr, and Mr Lloyd Johns being
appointed Director.
For Burnside CFS, the 1980's also heralded a period of great change, probably
the greatest than in all the years gone before. The decade started with
the first Ash Wednesday fires on February 20 1980, which caused devastation
through the Stirling area. Burnside was actively involved in this fire,
and also had cause to lay to rest the Brigade's Land Drover appliance
which finally gave up the ghost after many years of service.
1982 saw the Brigade purchase the present Volvo appliance, under much
controversy, since it was considered to be state of the art in fire appliances,
some thought it was "too good for volunteers", however this appliance
proved its worth ten times over the following year when the Brigade was
in the front line of the devastating fires of Ash Wednesday. February
16 1983, in the Burnside Hills, millions of dollars damage at Mt. Osmond
and Greenhill occurred. The Brigade worked almost non stop for 2 weeks
after the fires, and hosted brigades from all over the state in their
efforts to help our community. The Council, Auxillary and local services
all banded together to provide relief services to those effected by the
fire.
After the coroner's inquiry into the Ash Wednesday fires, the CFS had
to restructure itself and make improvements in communications, incident
control, hazard reduction, equipment and infrastructure. Burnside CFS
also saw great change at this time, as a result of the Ash Wednesday fires.
The Burnside community gave overwhelming support to the Brigade. The result
was the building of a new crew room and kitchen onto the station, most
of which was funded by public donation.
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1985 saw the Brigade build a new communications room with the expertise
for this coming from our own members. The Brigade also purchased its first
paging system enabling members to receive emergency calls within a large
radius. 1985 also saw the Brigade involved in the early beginnings of
mutual aid with the MFS, due to a fire at the Torrens Island Power Station.
This became the ongoing precedent for mutual aid arrangements with the
MFS for future large incidents.
During 1986, the Brigade was asked to house and staff the State Hazardous
Chemical Vehicle by CFS Headquarters. This has seen members travel all
over the state in the control and clean up of hazardous chemical spills.
1987 saw the beginning of task forces to all parts of the state, the first
being to the Flinders Ranges area. This being the first of many through
out the late 80's in the quest for CFS mutual aid to areas where local
resources have been taxed to the limit and relief crews are required.
1989 saw a new CFS Act with more comprehensive guidelines for fire suppression
and incident management. It also saw the Brigade involved in a 10 day
commitment in MFS mutual aid when a grain ship at Pt. Adelaide caught
fire and taxed both Fire Services to the limit. Volunteer members worked
shifts around the clock looking after the city and suburbs during this
time.
The beginning of the 90's began with a tragedy for the Brigade. Firefighter
Peter Stacy was killed in our water tanker in an accident at Clarendon
whilst fighting a fire in the Scott Creek area. The Brigade rallied after
this tragedy and developed a memorial garden at the station. In Peter's
memory, and with Council assistance, the Brigade set about building a
new water tanker to replace the one destroyed in the accident.
1991 saw the Brigade replace the ageing Toyota appliance with a CFS Board
approved 4x4 appliance. 1991 also saw the Brigade aligned to the Stirling
CFS group. For a short time, the Brigade formed a group with the Athelstone
and Mt. Osmond. However, the Board felt that we should be part of a larger
group for administration and operational reasons. Since that time, the
Brigade has formed a good working relationship with the Stirling group.
1992 saw the Brigade in another role. With record rainfall around the
state, we were called on to deal with local flooding and landslides and
flood control at Two Wells and Langhorne Creek areas just before Christmas
1992. This event saw the Brigade cover all aspects of emergency work from
bushfires, Vehicle Accident Rescue, Dangerous Substance Spillages, Mutual
Aid and now Flood Control.
1994, in the year of our 60th Anniversary, has now seen in our most unprecedented
role yet. The Brigade sent two appliances and 18 firefighters in 2 shifts
to the disasterous bushfires in New South Wales. I am sure that those
who were involved with the Brigades humble beginnings 60 years ago were
here today, they would not have dreamed this possible that the Brigade
has come so far, indeed survived at all.
Throughout the years, the Brigade has enjoyed strong community support
and although Burnside has become urbanised, this has created a far greater
risk with more life and property to protect. As the Country Fire Service
has grown, the imaginary boundaries are coming down with help coming from
all over Australia, now if the need should arise and a greater awareness
for more quick effective responses to minimise damage from all Natural
and Man Made Disasters.
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Many people have made significant contributions to the history and character
of the Brigade, Mr Graham Thiem being the father of the Burnside CFS.
He held the position of District Supervisor from 1948 to his retirement
in 1985, made probably the greatest single contribution to the Brigade.
Living in the district for most of his life gave invaluable service in
his knowledge over the years. The late Mr John Lea held the position of
Deputy Supervisor from 1963 until 1981. Mr. John Nolan, Assistant Supervisor
and subsequent Captain from 1965 until 1983.
Other Captains that have served with the Burnside CFS:
*
Mr David Sanders (1984 - 1986)
* Mr Peter Sanders (1986 - 1989)
* Mr George Adler (1989 - 1991)
* Mr Peter Sanders (1991 - 1996)
* Mr Craig Holt (1996 - present)
Many others have made contributions from a management and administrative
level, their time and expertise to make this Brigade what it is today.
At the time of writing this, the Brigade has a strong commitment to training
and upgrading of equipment and expertise with a 40 strong membership.
Many thanks must go to the Burnside Council for continued support and
the many councillors and staff who have assisted us over the years, and
to the community of Burnside who continues to support us in a very positive
way.
Now the Brigade is in its 65th year, we have truly come of age, and now
more than ever can protect the community of Burnside in all manner of
emergencies and can access a large network of support, should ever a disaster
of the magnitude of Ash Wednesday ever occur again.
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