*This information is an extract from the colour-book produced by the Museum of Fire's Heritage Team to celebrate the centenary the re-opening of Alexandria Fire Station (previously Waterloo). Should you wish to use any of the information and pictures provided we ask that you please reference the Museum correctly and contact the Museum for permission where applicable. This extract focuses on the now closed No. 008 Alexandria Fire Station, if you would like to read about the current No. 013 Alexandria Fire Station head to: Station Focus: Alexandria Fire Brigade 1877-2024
Waterloo & Alexandria Volunteer Fire Brigade 1880-1897
Movements to form a volunteer brigade in Alexandria and Waterloo were made as early as 1880 when a meeting was held at the Prince of Wales Hospital in Waterloo. The meeting was a success and saw the creation of the Waterloo and Alexandria Volunteer Fire Brigade with several men from the meeting enrolling themselves.
“Waterloo and Alexandria Volunteer Fire Brigade” would then shorten their name to just “Alexandria Volunteer Fire Brigade” (VFB) around 1884 when the Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB) was being established, which centralised metropolitan brigade operations. In 1885 the Municipal Council of Alexandria then granted the Alexandria Brigade land and financially supported the erection of a new station.
As a registered volunteer brigade, Alexandria received a subsidy from the MFB which the brigade began to begrudge for its inability to provide enough support. This prompted members of the brigade to strike in 1886 and as a result, the Alexandria VFB was disbanded, and the company restructured with new members.
No. 008 Alexandria 1897-1945
On 21 January 1897 the Alexandria VFB voluntarily resigned as a body, disbanding the brigade for a second time. The station was then assumed by the MFB and reinstated with a new crew of four permanent firefighters and one auxiliary firefighter and was designated No. 008.
Land for a new Alexandria Fire Station was purchased in 1905 at the intersection of Mitchell Road and Ashmore Street. The station was considered ready for occupation in 1907, with the transfer of men and engines from the old station taking place on 15 October.
Efforts by the Board of Fire Commissioners of NSW (formerly the MFB) to increase efficiency saw the motorisation of key stations within the Sydney Fire District. This affected Alexandria as it was considered for closure as the area was deemed to be sufficiently protected by Waterloo, St Peters, and Newtown Stations. The Alexandria Municipal Council, however, was in favour of keeping its fire brigade to protect the local factories which were key to the trade of Australian food and goods. They won their case and the station remained operational, receiving their own motor fire engine in 1921.
In 1945 the Board of Fire Commissioners of NSW announced its plan for the reorganisation of the Sydney Fire District, once again due to technological shifts, improving efficiency of response times, and the financial effects of World War II. Alexandria was one of several stations closed.
If you would like to read more about the history of No. 008 and No. 013 Alexandria Fire Station you can purchase a copy of the book by visiting our online shop: Station Books
- Story by Museum of Fire Heritage Team
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