Brigade History

The name Bourke Headquarters Rural Fire Brigade was officially adopted on 13th January 1997, however the Brigade was already in existence prior to this and was originally called the North Bourke Bush Fire Brigade.

The NBBFB (North Bourke Bush Fire Brigade) was based around the Village of North Bourke and provided a fire service to that area. Members provided much of the equipment including their own vehicles to fight fires. The first appliance supplied to the NBBFB from the Bush Fire Service was a second hand 4WD Bedford with a 6 cylindar Holden engine driven pump in December 1995.

Up until 1996, members had no uniforms and when the local Payless supermarket burnt down on 8th February 1996 members helping NSWFB (New South Wales Fire Brigade) had 1 helmet and 1 cold weather jacket (used for CABA back then) for the member on the branch. This was swapped around when the branch was passed to another member.

The Brigade received a new station which was commissioned on 15th March 1997. Before this time, the Bedford appliance was stationed in the yard of the Captain's residence.

Today the Bourke HQ RFB has 2 appliances, a CAT 1 Isuzu and a CAT 7 Isuzu fitted out with all the appropriate equipment. Members now all have their own personal protective equipment and can access quality training.

The above information was obtained from old Brigade minutes and recollections of a member of the NBBFB.