Windback Wednesday - Burnside CFS celebrates 90 years of service

This year the Burnside Country Fire Service celebrates 90 years of service.

The earliest iteration of the Burnside CFS formed in 1934 when community members founded the Burnside Hill Firefighting Fund. The fund was generated through donations from landowners and contributed to the purchase of tools and equipment. The Burnside District Council subsidised the Fund “pound for pound up to £100 – the estimated cost of equipment, gear and other expenses” (The News, Saturday 8 December 1934). From this, the Burnside Foothills Firefighting Association began operation in 1936.

In the early 1950s Emergency Fire Service Brigades were established by the government, and were equipped with a greater range of firefighting tools and vehicles. The Burnside Brigade grew, and acquired a trailer mounted tank and pump.

In 1968 the present Fire Station at Glen Street in Burnside was opened. The Burnside EFS was a two-appliance brigade and had the latest technology with a Phone Alarm System installed to enable members to receive fire calls at home. This was likely a welcome change to neighbours of the fire station, as in the early days a siren with a 4 km sound radius was used to alert members!

In 1976 the name changed from Emergency Fire Service to the Country Fire Service, which we recognise today.

Since these early days, the Burnside CFS has continued to grow in capability. The service has assisted in the response to countless bushfires and other emergencies both locally, regionally and interstate. We thank the Burnside CFS for 90 years of service to our community.

Photo: Members of the Burnside Foothills Firefighting Association spraying water during a demonstration near Glen Osmond. Source: The Mail, 9 December 1939.