Early Fire Fighting Equipment
At the brigade's second meeting in February, 1942, it was moved (Mr. Monteith, seconded Mr. Packham) that application be made for six knapsack outfits, four dozen beaters, four watering cans, 12 rakes, two axes and two pairs of wire cutters (carried). Bill Martin recalls that later a small tank and a two pump unit (which was not very reliable) were obtained. Roy Tinney said the tank and the pump were used on the back of Jack Linsdell's utility. Eddie Keeble said one of the first decisions of the brigade was to hold a collection in the district to buy a 100-gallon galvanized iron with a semi-rotary pump and two hoses, one for filling and one for delivery. The Bushfire Association, (the fore-runner to the Country Fire Authority) supplied beaters and knapsacks.
This equipment was kept on Roy Lindsell's ute in case of fire.
The brigade’s truck was an old Blitz. At the meeting of 25th January, 1945, it was moved (E. Hanrahan, seconded T. White) that one of the motor trucks, released by the Government for purchase by bush fire brigades, be procured for £80 (carried).
Roy Tinney remembered that the Mollongghip brigade also bought one of these trucks at the same time and some of their members drove Bungaree's truck back from Army disposals at Wodonga. The brigade's tank and pump were transferred to the truck.
Roy Tinney who was one of the first drivers, recalled that, “The truck was hard to start when it was hot. We then got a Dodge truck with a square tank on it but it was also temperamental. Then we got a Chev.”
The brigade's first siren, which worked off compressed air, was located on top of Tinney's chaff mill near the railway station. Later Bill Martin obtained permission to have an electric fire siren installed at the police station.
The brigade's first siren, which worked off compressed air, was located on top of Tinney's chaff mill near the railway station. Later Bill Martin obtained permission to have an electric fire siren installed at the police station.