State Government officials help Narrogin Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service celebrate centenary

A volunteer firefighting brigade at a small Wheatbelt town has marked a remarkable milestone with a celebration attended by two special guests. The Narrogin Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service commemorated its 100-year milestone on September 21 with a formal dinner at Narrogin Town Hall, which was attended by about 100 people. They were joined by Department of Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm and Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson, who gave the brigade an honorary 100-year plaque, as did the Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services Association of WA. NVFRS lieutenant and 25-year firefighter Blake Halford said the commissioner and minister’s presence was a privilege and a testament to the volunteer brigade’s significance in turning 100. “The brigade has been through a tough spell and is rebuilding under new leadership, so it is great that people have stuck with it through the hard times,” Mr Halford said. “We’ve recruited some much-needed new members but are still short a few bodies as the brigade averages over 100 callouts yearly. “It is surprising how many people think when they see a red truck, especially in the country, that we’re paid firefighters and we’re not.” During the presentations, volunteer Tanya Hansen received a five-year service medallion and Greg Burton a 35-year service clasp. NVFRS captain and 14-year firefighter Scott Reeves said “a lot of hard work, blood, sweat and tears have gone into 100 years”. “It is a massive accomplishment and a huge testament to the town to serve Narrogin and surrounding communities for 100 years and beyond; it doesn’t come around that often,” he said. “To keep it going and keep people interested because it is a tough job, I’m not going to sugarcoat it. “We do community based stuff but behind the scenes, what people don’t see that we attend, is tough. “I want to give a huge congratulations to the past and present members on 100 years and I’m lucky enough to be the captain during this time.” Mr Reeves hoped the brigade’s milestone would earn it a new station as its current facility was no longer fit for purpose. Narrogin’s local fire brigade was formed in 1923-24 after two disastrous fires in 1922 highlighted the need for one and the subsequent introduction of a reliable water supply made it possible. The new fire station officially opened on July 8, 1926, with the Narrogin Observer reporting the fire brigade looked “very spic and span in their uniforms”. Fire brigade board chairman J. R. Campbell was met with applause from those at the official opening when he described the “fine station” as “the best of its kind in the country districts of the State, and the best for a town of the size of Narrogin in the Commonwealth”. The brigade’s first reported callout was on August 7, 1926, when the local fire bell started at 10.36pm. According to the Observer, “the fire station was agog with excitement”. Firefighters searched the town to locate the fire as hundreds of excited residents trailed behind them, but eventually returned “convinced that it had been a false alarm”.