The Deloraine Fire Brigade celebrated 100 years of operation with an open day at the Deloraine Fire Station.

Fires in early Deloraine were dealt with by informal groups of residents to banded together to protect the town.

In the late 1800s fire devastated many local buildings – Harvey’s Mill, Westbury Place; Spicer’s Flour Mill (Elizabeth Town); Rooke’s Retreat Brewery; Henry’s Brewery in Beefeater St, Daven’s sawmill in Bonney St; and Fawkner’s workshop in the old Bush Inn.

Residential fires were common events too because of fireplaces and the predominance of shingle roofing. It wasn’t until 1922 that a Fire Brigade formally began (after the Fire Brigades Act, 1920).

It comprised 11 men who operated the horse-drawn soda acid and hose carts housed in a tin shed (with bell tower) opposite the Church of England rectory.

The first fire station was built in West Church St in the 1946, which roughly coincided with improved water supplies for fire fighting.

The Brigade moved into the current building in 1973, before the merging of various town and bush brigades in the 1980s.

Today it is one of the busiest units in the state covering Deloraine and the surrounding towns of Elizabeth Town, Chudleigh, Golden Valley, Meander and Mole Creek.

The Deloraine unit has a proud history of service.

They fought significant fires at the Rainbow Chalet (Breona), Harris’ Store, Christian School Hall and the Shell Service Station.

More recently they have assisted with the Western Tiers fires 2015-2016, the Great Lakes fires 2019 and recent 2016 and 2022 flood events.

This year the Deloraine Fire Brigade has attended more than 50 callouts to bushfires, structure fires, car crashes and medical emergencies, assisting the SES and Ambulance Tasmania when necessary.

Their work has been enhanced through the recent acquisition of a Compressed Air Foam (CAFS) firefighting appliance, which allows for better fire management and improved safety for the crew.

Brigade members are volunteers with competing work and family commitments, yet still able to find time to protect our community.

The Meander Valley community is grateful for the commitment of the Fire Brigade volunteers, some of whom have been with the unit for 10-20 years.

The brigade is keen to add to its base of 20 members, if you are interested drop in, or email fire@fire.tas.gov.au to arrange contact with their local brigade.