History

The Logan Village Bush Fire Brigade was founded in 1979, with a small band of volunteers and little by way of equipment. The primary objective was to control bushfires in what was largely a farming area, but already the residential pressure was rising. On 22 June, 1985 it took up residency of its first home on the southern side of the dump on Waterford-Tamborine Road, opposite Hotz Road, Logan Village. Over the ensuing years, the Brigade grew, as did the Village, until the area became classified "rural residential" rather than rural.

In 1994, now with the title of Logan Village Rural Fire Brigade, we moved into more salubrious premises - uptown 100 metres to the northern side of the dump. By that time, we had about 40 members, and had our eyes set firmly on the future - a number of our members had already become qualified wearers of Breathing Apparatus; we started attending and obtaining qualifications from courses, seminars and training on Hazardous Materials, First Aid, Incident Management, structural fires, etc.

The advances made by the Brigade during this time were considerable, particularly in light of the fact most funds were raised by the members, and the vehicles and equipment only remained serviceable due to the time and effort of the members. Members were more frequently put into dangerous situations, and it became clear their peril should not be increased for lack of proper equipment and training. These resources were costly, however Government assistance was (and is) little and slow in coming. It was only through the resourcefulness of members that we could provide our service. This resourcefulness continues as of necessity.

We are often called to attend road accidents these days, our role in structural fire fighting is growing with every new building in our area, and we are better equipped and trained than our predecessors. However, we still get paid the same as our founders, and are still in dire need of assistance to meet our objectives, which themselves have greatly increased with the growth of the area.

Formation

The following is an extract of the booklet "The History of the Logan Village Rural Fire Brigade" the original document was written by C.W. Linton. He was the founder, fire warden and longest serving Member of the Logan Village Rural Fire Brigade.

Charlie Wrote:

"In August 1979 a fire swept westward over the hills towards Logan Village. Volunteers were called form the pub. the bar emptied and joined the boys from Hancock's Forest headed by Les Norman and Ces Coplick with his Dozer.

"At the stage of development there were few clearings in that area and we might well have lost Logan Village. During the inquest at the pub it was suggested that we should have our own Fire Brigade and I was asked to arrange and hold a meeting to seek support. (Present; Myself, Merv Musch, Herb Wells, Alan Garner, Barry Osmond?, Teddy Davis and Col Bobbermien). Contact was made with the R.F.B. (Rural Fires Board) and we were assured a representative would attend. The meeting was held on a rainy night, which made hearing difficult but we persevered. Myself as chairman, Jean Wells as the minute secretary. Attendance from my memory; Alan Johnson RFB, Bob Burke Chief Inspector RFB, Herb and JeanWells, Alan and Angie Garner, Merv Musch (Ollie, made the tea), Barry Osmond, Darryl Guse, Steve Bowen, Col Bobermein, Jim Bannister, Barry Carlton and three or four from the northern end.

"The Officers Elected were:

	Chairman	-	Chas Linton
	Secretary	-	Jean Wells
	Treasurer	-	Steve Bowen
	Fire Warden	-	Herb Wells
	1st Officer	-	Alan Bobbermein

"I cannot remember Barry Osmond taking part then or at any other time. On my suggestion that we would need funds, seven of us kicked in Ten Dollars each, These were; Myself, Merv Musch, Darryl Guse, Steve Bowen, Jim Bannister, Bill Wylie and one other a police sergeant from Buccan Rd.

"RFB said we had to wait for accreditation before we could commence operation so we waited until April until we were gazetted, but by that time Herb and Jean Wells had moved, and in the ensuing chaos the minutes from the original meeting were lost. Herb and Jean had also lost their enthusiasm as had Alan Bobbermien, our 1st officer. We had to start almost from scratch. Alan Garner took over the fire warden's job. Herb and Jean took no further part in the Fire Brigade and I have no knowledge of any certificate issued to either for Fire Service.

"We then began in earnest. We had by this time formulated a circular, duplicated by our treasurer at his work, this we dropped in all boxes of occupied properties (352). Merv in the Village itself while I called at the rest and we collected nearly 1000 dollars which we bought from the RFB a 6'x4' H.D. Trailer containing a 5hp Briggs & Stration Pump, a 100 gallon Tank, and all the associated fittings and impedimenta. These we put together and we were in business. The unit was towed by my scruffy old ute and because most of the volunteers had jobs the burden fell upon me and my offsider, Jeff Milne-Ward during the weekdays being relived by other on the weekend. A photo of this unit appeared in the RFB yearbook 1985. We were lent another unit by Les Norman of Hancock's but had no unit to pull it.

"Later meetings were held in my shed, but these should be still in possession of the Fire Brigade which I kept religiously, copies were sent to the RFB. In 1985 I resigned the chair, the position being taken over by the 1st officer, as was correct, and took up the post of fire warden and 4th officer until 1989 when I retired at the age of 71, leaving it to the younger men. The meeting announced that I remained an honorary lifetime member and at a Barbecue at John Peace's home I was presented with a plaque and a certificate of merit, the presentations being made by Bob Burke Senior Inspector of the Rural Fires Board. Unit no. 2 still carries a brass plate honouring my service."

By C. W. Linton

N.B. Unit 2 is now Unit 6