The Kwinana South Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade celebrates its 50th anniversary this month with a special event for past and present members this weekend to spark plenty of reminiscing and appreciation for the dedicated work to protect lives and property.
The Brigade started as the Wellard East Bush Fire Brigade in 1975, until it changed names 40 years ago to Kwinana South.
Bert Belohlawek has been an active member of the Brigade for the past 31 years.
“We moved out here on the five acres and just up the road a big fire came through from the direction of the old gun club and it was a mad fire,” Mr Belohlawek said.
“Our house was ok, but the back paddocks caught fire and the trees.
“Overnight all you could hear was big cracking and the limbs falling,” he said.
He joined the Brigade not long after and said the comradeship was the main factor in keeping him there for so long.
“I get along with them all, but I’ve said as soon as I become a burden, cut me out,” the 75-year-old joked.
To stay ready for the physical demands of being a volunteer fire fighter he keeps active, regularly playing golf and tennis, walking a lot, and he has a swimming pool at home.
Mr Belohlawek and Fire Control Officer Mark Heath are the Brigade’s longest-serving active members, with Mark reaching his 35-year milestone this year.
Mayor Peter Feasey congratulated the Brigade on 50 years of voluntary service and its commitment to the safety of the community within the City and beyond.
He said for the initial 25 years, the fire-fighting appliances were actually based out of member’s properties in the area, and the Brigade self-mobilised to sightings of smoke or direct reports before the inception of what is now known as ComCen.
The current plot of land on Barker Road was provided in 1990, with the first brick station built by the Brigade’s members.
Extensions were added to house additional appliances, then the current modern station was built and made operational by January 2023 in anticipation of a new 3.4 Urban Tanker.
The station is a second home of sorts to 47 active and dedicated members, 11 of which are women, and the Brigade is one of two volunteer brigades managed by the City of Kwinana.
Members are from all walks of life including engineers, tradesmen and women, teachers, paramedics, police officers and detectives, retirees, military officers, and mums, dads and grandparents.
Kwinana South members attended 82 incidents during the fire season this year and provide key bushfire mitigation services to residents, and the City of Kwinana, by performing hazard reduction burn activities throughout the year.
Members not only fight fires locally but also across the State, and deployed members to the Goldfields and Carnarvon earlier this year.