This guide provides brief history and overview of the major record series that relate to firefighters
Historical Overview
From the mid 19th century Sydney's fire protection was provided by volunteer and insurance company brigades. The Fire Brigades Act of 1884 formally constituted a government organised fire service, the Fire Brigades Board. Initially one central fire station was supported by 22 volunteer fire companies. The Fire Brigades Board was replaced by the Board of Fire Commissioners on 1 January 1910 under the Fire Brigades Act of 1909. The new Board was responsible for fire service provision in Sydney and all other urban areas of NSW.[1]
The first metropolitan fire station in Sydney was located on a site on the west side of Castlereagh Street between Liverpool and Bathurst Streets. By 1909, the number of permanent Brigade employees had risen to 220, comprising the Superintendent, Deputy-Superintendent, Senior District Officer, six District Officers, nine Station Officers, eleven Sub-station Officers, 134 firemen, 33 Coachmen, four Special Service and 20 auxiliaries at 19 stations.[2]
The fire brigade service continued to increase with the construction of fire stations in country and metropolitan districts. On 4 April 1958 the NSW Board became responsible for fire protection in the ACT.[3] In 1985, the first women fire fighters entered the brigade.[4] The New South Wales Fire Brigades was established under the Fire Brigades Act 1989.
List of select record series
Board of Fire Commissioners
Series | Title | Dates | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(Fiche 2053-2145) |
Personnel record books The following information about staff is given: name; where and when born; height; previous occupation; marital status and number of children; promotions; examinations; and details of appointment, offences and awards Item List:
|
28 Apr 1884-2 Sep 1955 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Fiche 7001-7002) |
NSW Fire Brigades register of signatures
|
1884-1955 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[6/18048] |
Staff register, City stations |
1927-1967 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[3/7883.14-.15] |
Personnel registers - Country stations |
1910-1931 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[3/12995-13001, 3/6973B-6973D, 3/13022, 10/30615-30618 part, 6/11876-77] |
In Orders These circulars include appointments and promotions, transfers; leave, and notices of deaths of Brigade members. |
1901+ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[6/11866-11875] |
Volunteer Staff In Orders These circulars include appointments, transfers, leave and notices of death. |
1931-1979 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[3/1781.2] |
Country volunteer register Arranged alphabetically by fire station. |
1910-1916 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[11/3157-3161] |
Volunteer staff registers, Country stations Arranged alphabetically by fire station. |
1910-1974 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[11/16222] |
Volunteer Long Service Medal and Bar register This is a register of medals (for 15 years service) and bars (for 30 years service) presented to volunteer firemen. |
1910-1967 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[3/13002] |
Reserve Corps Arranged in alphabetical order by brigade. |
c.1939-1955 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[3/13020.1] |
Seniority list of fire brigade staff |
Nov 1944 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[14/1722.2-1726, 18/1267-71] |
Personal files of senior officers |
c.1890-1988 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[3/1786] |
Register of NSW Fire Brigades Reserve Corps |
1939-1957 |
Access to the records
Staff and personnel records of the NSW Fire Brigades and its predecessors are open after 50 years. To obtain permission to view and copy records that are less than 50 years old contact:
NSW Fire BrigadesPO Box A249
Sydney South NSW 2001
Further reading
Colin Adrian, Fighting fire: a century of service 1884-1984, Sydney, George Allen & Unwin, 1984.
Footnotes
[1] Colin Adrian, Fighting Fire: a century of service 1884-1984, George Allen & Unwin, 1984, p.8
[2] Adrian, op.cit p.95
[3] NRS 484, Board of Fire Commissioners of New South Wales Annual Report, 1958, [14/1594] p.4
[4] NRS 484, Board of Fire Commissioners of New South Wales Annual Report, 1985, [14/1594] p.42
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This content first appeared in Archives in Brief 113 - Firefighters and Short Guide 10 - Professions and Occupations
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