HISTORICAL TIMELINE
1944 – February 11
First meeting held at Baxter Public Hall. 30 members present.
Mr H Lee elected Captain. Membership fee 1/6.
Mt Eliza FB donated 25/- as well as 5 knapsacks.
1944 – February 25
Six cross roads was the meeting place in the event of a fire.
1944 – April
A dance was conducted on 25th March to raise funds profit
32-13-3.Funds raised purchased 25 knapsacks. Another 3
knapsacks were purchased from government grant along with
12 beaters and an axe.
1945 – March
Purchase of fire fighting unit consisting of a low down hand pump on skids with a 120 gallon tank along with 24ft suction hose & 60ft delivery hose.
1945 – June
Mr W.Glover made avail ground 30’ x 30’ for fire station. Documents signed re lease of land 2 Jul’45 – land was later purchase 1949 –site of present station
Fire bell for proposed station purchased.
1945 – October
67 members, 1 call for the year. Bank balance 85-18-9
Brigade building , with 70pounds from government grant, size 30’ X 20’, walls be of cement sheets 9ft in height & roof of corrugated iron, be built as soon as possible
Another 60’ hose, Y coupling & 1’’ stop clock be purchased.
A one off community dance competition held to raise funds – MC & judged by members of the Baxter Fire Brigade.
Brigade annual ball was conducted-these continued for many years
1945 – November
Bell tower purchased cost 30/-
1946 – January
Mr W.Glover paid 1/- per mile for use of his dodge truck for calls to fires. Country fire Authority approached re purchase of suitable lamp (Tilley lamp for preference) for use at the fire station.
1946 – October
CFA approached re insurance for member’s cars attending fires.
For members offering their vehicles for use at fires, a 5 gallon petrol ticket was supplied.
1946 – 27 November
First meeting held in brigade building.
1947 – November
Equipment on hand include– 33 knapsacks, 5 buckets, 2 hand pumps(1 partially assembled), 2 coils hose 3⁄4 in x 120 ft, 1 20ft length suction hose, 1 100gallon,1 120 gallon with stand pump, 9 beaters.
1948 – January
Electric light installed in brigade building 2 lights, 1 power point inside & 1 Outside.
1950 – January
A new 16inc bell was erected on tower
1950 – January
Boundaries approved.
Moorooduc rail crossing along Three Chain road to Golflinks rd along Robinson rd to west road along west road to junction of Larnach road hence as the bird fly’s to Moorooduc rail crossing.
New Austin fire fighting power unit delivered on 14/2/50, truck no MG 672
Mileage 4100 – social held in Baxter hall to celebrate the occasion.
1950 – March
The old fire bell affixed to fire truck.
1950 – May
Brigade meets 1st Thursday in each month with practise held following Sunday.
1951 – August
Request was made to get hydrant plug at 6 cross roads to facilitate filling of fire truck
1957 – January
Radio obtained –Baxter call sign VL 30 F 10
1959 – February
Siren purchased for use as a fire waring alarm.
1961 – October
12 Fibreglass helmets purchased.
1962 – January
Live reel for the truck obtained, financed by Mr T.Borthwick.
1962 – September
Baxter joins two bays group of fire brigades
1963 – October
Flashing light obtained for vehicle
1964 – October
8 pairs white overalls purchased
1965 – April
Sliding door for fire station erected.
1966 – September
Accommodation for fire truck required so that present building could be used for social purposes
1968 – March
Baxter joins Western Port Group
1968 – May
VHF radio purchased
1969 – April
Proposal for brick building
1970 – January
CFA be asked to take over the brigade
1972 – January
Look into telephone interceptors
1973 – February
Six helmets purchased
1973 – April
Old station demolished to make way for new station
1973 – November
First meeting held in brick station
1974 – April
Station officially opened by Chief Officer A.Pitfield.
1978 – January
Brigade attended channel 0 studios and participated in “Almost anything goes”. (Finished last).
1978 – November
Kombi Van purchased from Frankston FB
1979 – May
New siren installed
1981 – April
Brigade has 63 registered members 67 turnouts for past year
1982 – January
Acco 1710 B delivered
1982 – May
Turn out coats & Boots (10) purchased from MFB
1982 – September
15 CFA type overalls purchased.
1982 – November
Brigade shields for brigade service introduced.
1983 – February
Brigade members attended Ash Wednesday fire
1983 – April
2 X scanners donated to brigade after ash weds fires by Baxter Technical School.
1983 – October
Fire Monitor purchased & fitted on vehicle
1984 – April
Celebrations held for 40th anniversary of brigade
1984 – May
2 Breathing Apparatus (BA) sets allocated to brigade – first rural brigade to be issued.
1985 – February
E1800 Mazda Deluxe proposed – door knock arranged to raise funds.
1985 – October
Proposal to extend brick station to level of truck bay.
1986 – December
Pagers introduced
1988 – February
Building committee formed to extend station
1989 – January
UHF radios fitted to vehicles
1989 – April
Fireman of the year awarded for the first time
1990 – November
CFA supplied 5 new helmets- very heavy 800 gms-1.1kg.
1991 – January
Trailer pump arrived. Engine bay floor sealed.
1991 – 19 May
Station extension officially opened by ACO B.Dobson
1991 – August
Position of brigade president discontinued.
1991 – November
New BA sets obtained from CFA.