Kalgan Volunteer Bushfire Brigade

The Kalgan Fire Brigade formed in 1940. It was then basically a farmer's co-operative with privately owned equipment. By 1963 there were 31 members still using privately owned equipment. In 1968 the brigade was able to purchase 2 pumps and trailers of its own and in 1978, bought 6 single sideband radios (5 watt) and around that time ran the first training course. In 1980 a Nissan Fast attack was purchased and in 1981 a 50 watt base station and 2 mobile units. Then a Honda Davey G200 pump unit was added in 1982. 1984 saw the first submission to the Council to allow Optional Perimeter Firebreaks. There were 30 paid up members at this time. An Austin 2 wheel drive and 2 Bedford 4 wheel drive trucks were bought from Calm in 1985. At this time the Council allowed Operational Perimeter Firebreaks on the understanding that the three trucks would be maintained in readiness at all times. The Austin was sold in 1991 and a third Bedford purchased. The Upper Kalgan shed was built in 1993 and a two bay shed built on private land. In 1995 the Kalgan River (Upper Kalgan) and the Lower Kalgan Brigades were amalgamated and the following year the two bay shed was moved to its current site next to the Lower Kalgan Hall.Currently the Brigade has four units: the Land Cruiser Light Tanker, a Hino 2.4 Heavy Tanker, and two Isuzu 2.4 Heavy Tankers. The old Bedfords are also still around the brigade area (privately owned) and one, owned by Chris Andrews, is generously kept at the Upper Kalgan shed for use by the brigade. We have 36 active Fire fighters with a further 28 on the Backup List. We also have a further group of non firefighting members who provide support and carry out non firefighting duties such as manning radios, co-ordinating callouts etc.