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Scotland Island Rural Fire Brigade was formed in the Easter
holidays of 1955 when a small number of residents, mostly
weekenders, met at ‘Bangalla’ and formed a progress
association. Their first priority was to establish the
Scotland Island Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade to organise the
individual efforts of the Island and the Western Foreshores.
A shed was constructed by the residents near Tennis Wharf
and the first fire vehicle, a jeep with a 44 gallon drum on
it, was donated. Over the years, the equipment of the
Brigade has improved and a new Fire Station was constructed
in 1991 on the current site above Catherine Park.
Since 1955, the Brigade has attended numerous house fires
on the Island and several small wildfires. In 1939, a spot
fire from a wildfire in Ku-ring-gai National Park caused a
fire that burned the majority of the Island and it was
cleared fire breaks around the few houses on the Island and
the heavily cleared grazing land which prevented property
loss. In 1967 a campfire on the Western side of the Island
quickly raced up the hill before it was brought under
control. The 1994 fires sent burning embers across the
Island, but luckily they either didn’t catch alight or were
put out by vigilant Islanders.
In more recent times, the provision of a high speed Fire
Boat has greatly increased the fire service area of the
Brigade. To date, the Brigade has attended bush, structure
and boat fires not just in Pittwater but also along Coal and
Candle Creek and well up the Hawkesbury River.
The Brigade also assists the NSW Water Police and NSW
Ambulance Service with medical evacuations from the Island.
The Brigade endeavours to provide a 24 hour emergency first
aid service and assists with emergency patient
transportation.
The Station is also a centre for a number of favourite
community events organised by Brigade members during the
year, including ‘Christmas in July’, New Years Eve,
Melbourne Cup Day and the fabulous kids film afternoons.
All of the services supplied by the Brigade are provided
by volunteers and much of the equipment, particularly
specialist medical equipment, has been purchased as a result
of the fundraising efforts of members.
New members are always welcome at the Brigade and further
information can be obtained by telephoning 9999 4404 or by
dropping into the Station.
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