Lismore Fire Station turns 100
Published: 17th December 2013
Fire & Rescue NSW (FRNSW) Commissioner Greg Mullins and the Member for Lismore, Thomas George, joined firefighters and community representatives today to celebrate Lismore Fire Station’s 100th anniversary.
Commissioner Mullins said Lismore Fire Station’s centenary celebration represented an important milestone for the community.
“It is an opportunity to thank all of the firefighters, past and present, who have served the Lismore community with such commitment and integrity over the years,” Commissioner Mullins said.
“Our firefighters have been protecting Lismore and surrounding communities since 1896 when a volunteer brigade, equipped with a horse-drawn fire cart with 250-foot of hose, operated from a temporary shed on the Molesworth St site. The church bell alerted brigade members to fires.
“Eventually, a two-storey purpose-built station was completed and became operational in 1913.
“Today, the 21 permanent and 17 retained (or on-call) firefighters stationed at Lismore have modern fire engines and the latest in equipment and technology to ensure the safety and protection of the local community,” Commissioner Mullins said.
“Lismore firefighters responded to nearly 600 fire and emergency calls last financial year and conducted nearly 300 community education and engagement activities,”
Commissioner Mullins also presented a National Medal to Firefighter Justin Hyde; a FRNSW Long Service and Good Conduct Medal to Goonellabah Deputy Captain Scott Faulks; a Long Service and Good Conduct 1st Clasp to Station Officer Ian Grimwood, and; Long Service and Good Conduct 2nd Clasp to Firefighter Rodney Farr.
The FRNSW Long Service and Good Conduct Medal recognises diligent long service and good conduct is awarded to those who have served with FRNSW for 10 years. Clasps are awarded for each additional 10 years of service. The Commissioner will also present special Queensland Flood and Cyclone Citations to Captain Brett Lowden and Retained Firefighters Scott Pope, Richard Saad and Murray Ware, for their efforts in assisting Queensland emergency services during the statewide crisis in 2010/11.
Lismore Fire Station is open to the public from 10.30am to 12.30pm today. There will be an historical display, including a fire truck which served at the station during the 1930s.