OUR HISTORY
Following a disastrous fire in July 1872 when a block of 16 buildings were destroyed in Shortland; public meetings were called, with the purpose of forming a Volunteer Fire Brigade to protect their volatile wooden town.
One meeting was held in Shortland and the other in Grahamstown and as a result two independent Volunteer Fire Brigades were established. They were separated by one mile of sparsely populated land that is now constitutes the main shopping area.
This arrangement continued until 1887 when the Borough Council convinced the two brigades to amalgamate and form a new brigade called the Thames Volunteer Fire Brigade. They operated with a North Branch and a South Branch until 1912 when a Central Fire Station was built in Pahau Street, which was the mid-point between Grahamstown & Shortland settlements.
In 1912 the Thames Volunteer Fire Brigade commissioned their first motorised Fire Engine it was a Cadillac, of which all of the firemen were immensely proud. It was the beginning of a new era, and the end of hand and horse drawn fire appliances.
The roll of the Fire Service is ever changing, and Thames Volunteer Fire Brigade has embraced these changes, and has a proud history of protecting the town in its times of need.
The Thames Volunteer Fire Brigade is well respected by the citizens of Thames and surrounding areas.
A LITTLE BIT MORE......
In June 1867 Gold was discovered in Thames this was the start of a Gold Rush.
By the end of 1869 a town built comprising tents and wooden buildings.
Robert Graham had invested a lot of money in the area now known as Grahamstown and saw the need for a Fire Brigade for protection and to convince the Insurance Companies to give the property owners Fire Insurance cover.
Robert Graham was a great orator and told the residents that he would supply a Fire Engine and equipment if they would form a Fire Brigade and maintain the equipment.
He was a convincing speaker and, on April 1st 1870, The Grahamstown Fire Brigade was formed. The Brigade was under the control of the Waiotahi Highway Board and the Firemen would be paid for their time. Superintendent Horsby was elected to be in command of the 30 men that signed up.
On June 15th 1872 a large fire destroyed 16 buildings on the Southern end of Pollen Street, in the area known as Shortland. To the dismay of many residents, the Grahamstown Fire Brigade did not attend the fire until it had been brought under control, by a bit of luck and a change in the weather. When they did arrive their hoses were not compatible with the hoses from The Kauaeranga Highway Board and they had problems getting water. It was a chaotic scene.
The public demanded better fire protection for the town and public meetings were held.As a result Shortland Volunteer Fire Brigade was formed on July 26th 1872 and Grahamstown Volunteer Fire Brigade was formed a week later. The Grahamstown Volunteer Fire Brigade replace the former Fire Brigade and took over their equipment.
Both Brigades operated independently, but supported each other in the event of an Alarm of Fire, and held regular trainings together. They both jealously protected their independence. They both had to canvas the public for subscriptions for funding, until the Thames Borough Council took over the funding of the equipment in 1874.
Money was still an issue and it was not long before the Thames Borough Council suggested that Thames have only Fire Brigade and that it be centrally located in the vicinity of the Karaka Creek bridge in Pollen Street. The suggestion was rejected by both Brigades.
By 1878 the number of Fire Brigades throughout the country was growing steadily and they all suffered from a lack of funding. In December of that year a group of 9 South Island brigades met in Christchurch to discuss matters of mutual interest and support each other in the endeavour of obtaining official recognition and financial assistance from the Government. This was the beginning of the United Fire Brigades Association of New Zealand. One of their resolutions was to write to all NZ Fire Brigades and solicit them as members.
By April 1879 both Grahamstown and Shortland Fire Brigades along with Wellington Fire Brigade had joined the association bringing the total number of members to 11.
The joining fee was £1/1-. When the amalgamated Thames Fire Brigade joined in 1887 there were 43 member brigades.
Now days there are over 485 members affiliated to the UFBA.
In 1880 the Borough Council took a new approach to an amalgamation, and that was to have one Superintendent that controlled both Brigades, once again the suggestion of amalgamation was opposed by both Brigades. The council were not happy with the response and continued working towards an amalgamation of the two Brigades, and eventually on December 1885 Superintendent George Price of the GVFB held a meeting and all of the Brigade Members resigned.
The resignation was accepted by the Borough Council and immediately appointed Superintendent West from the SVFB in command of both brigades.
Immediately Superintendent West transferred Captain Newman to be in charge of the reformed GVFB and they set about recruiting 18 firemen, but in a short time the Grahamstown members were not happy being under the control of Superintendent West, and wrote to the council to on the matter and threatened to disband if they did not get their own superintendent.
The Council were not phased by this, and endorsed their support for West.
The distension at GVFB continued, and on November 15th 1886 Superintendent West called a meeting after practice, and announced that he was disbanding the GVFB, and that they would no longer exist as part of the Fire Brigade. The next day and advertisement was placed in the paper informing the public and requesting that all clothing and gear should be returned immediately to the Engine Keeper, and another advertisement calling for Volunteers to join the Thames Volunteer Fire Brigade.
The last meeting of SVFB was held on January 14th 1887 and that heralded the beginning of the TVFB, with a North Branch and a South Branch operating with the facilities of the previous Brigades.
Superintendant West was in charge overall, and each branch had their own Captain and combined meetings were held at alternative Engine Houses.
The arrangement of two branches of the brigade continued until 1912 when a Central Fire Station was erected in Pauhau Street on the site that is occupied by the present Fire Station. In the same year TVFB commissioned their first motorised fire engine, it was a 1912 Cadillac, they were very proud of it.
The first Fire Engine was a Tilley Hand Pump, it pumped water from wells that were located on the street corners in the business area. The hand pump was very labour intensive and not popular with the firemen who tried to get bystanders to operate it while the Firemen fought the fire.The 1846 Tilley Hand Pump is still in the ownership of the TVFB and is in working condition.
Soon after the formation of the Thames Borough Council in 1873 they began a laying water mains. Initial the mains were laid in the main business area but as time and finances permitted they were extended into the residential areas. The Tilly Hand Pump was soon retired and replaced with hand drawn hose reels and standpipes, that were in use until the Cadillac Fire Engine was commissioned in 1912. The Cadillac was replaced in 1921 with a Stewart which was much more powerful and could navigate the hills with a full contingent of Firemen, something that the Cadillac could not handle. Thames has had numerous fire appliances over the years and currently is well equipped with a Type 1 Fire Truck and a Type 3 Rescue Truck and a 26 Support Vehicle.
Generally the hand drawn Hose Reels were replaced as a fire fighting appliance by Motorised Reels in the early 1900’s but they were retained for waterway competitions until 1937. Thames has retained two Hand Reels and both are in working order.
The Central Fire Station and Hall in Pauhau Street were demolished in 1969 and new 2 bay engine house and hall erected on the same site.In 1988 the engine bay was doubled in size,and now houses the 3 Fire Fighting appliances and Van.
A new kitchen was added in 1990 and has been used numerous times to cater for the crews during the several "100 year floods" that we have responded to over the past few years.
For the past 125 years the TVFB has been served by about 380 Fire Fighters and 17 Chief Fire Officers or Superintendents as the were known prior to 1960.
There have been 54 Gold Star's presented, the first being to Fireman Harry stone in 1911. Harry Stone later became the Superintendent from 1916 to 1921 when he retired after 37 years of service.
The roll of the Thames Brigade has changed over the years and Thames had adapted to these as the need arose.
In the beginning they only attended fire calls which amounted to about 10 – 15 per year, nowadays the calls total about 160 – 280 and the incidents are diverse, from property fires to motor accidents to assisting the public in time of need.
The Thames Volunteer Fire Brigade is held in high esteem by the general public.
One meeting was held in Shortland and the other in Grahamstown and as a result two independent Volunteer Fire Brigades were established. They were separated by one mile of sparsely populated land that is now constitutes the main shopping area.
This arrangement continued until 1887 when the Borough Council convinced the two brigades to amalgamate and form a new brigade called the Thames Volunteer Fire Brigade. They operated with a North Branch and a South Branch until 1912 when a Central Fire Station was built in Pahau Street, which was the mid-point between Grahamstown & Shortland settlements.
In 1912 the Thames Volunteer Fire Brigade commissioned their first motorised Fire Engine it was a Cadillac, of which all of the firemen were immensely proud. It was the beginning of a new era, and the end of hand and horse drawn fire appliances.
The roll of the Fire Service is ever changing, and Thames Volunteer Fire Brigade has embraced these changes, and has a proud history of protecting the town in its times of need.
The Thames Volunteer Fire Brigade is well respected by the citizens of Thames and surrounding areas.
A LITTLE BIT MORE......
In June 1867 Gold was discovered in Thames this was the start of a Gold Rush.
By the end of 1869 a town built comprising tents and wooden buildings.
Robert Graham had invested a lot of money in the area now known as Grahamstown and saw the need for a Fire Brigade for protection and to convince the Insurance Companies to give the property owners Fire Insurance cover.
Robert Graham was a great orator and told the residents that he would supply a Fire Engine and equipment if they would form a Fire Brigade and maintain the equipment.
He was a convincing speaker and, on April 1st 1870, The Grahamstown Fire Brigade was formed. The Brigade was under the control of the Waiotahi Highway Board and the Firemen would be paid for their time. Superintendent Horsby was elected to be in command of the 30 men that signed up.
On June 15th 1872 a large fire destroyed 16 buildings on the Southern end of Pollen Street, in the area known as Shortland. To the dismay of many residents, the Grahamstown Fire Brigade did not attend the fire until it had been brought under control, by a bit of luck and a change in the weather. When they did arrive their hoses were not compatible with the hoses from The Kauaeranga Highway Board and they had problems getting water. It was a chaotic scene.
The public demanded better fire protection for the town and public meetings were held.As a result Shortland Volunteer Fire Brigade was formed on July 26th 1872 and Grahamstown Volunteer Fire Brigade was formed a week later. The Grahamstown Volunteer Fire Brigade replace the former Fire Brigade and took over their equipment.
Both Brigades operated independently, but supported each other in the event of an Alarm of Fire, and held regular trainings together. They both jealously protected their independence. They both had to canvas the public for subscriptions for funding, until the Thames Borough Council took over the funding of the equipment in 1874.
Money was still an issue and it was not long before the Thames Borough Council suggested that Thames have only Fire Brigade and that it be centrally located in the vicinity of the Karaka Creek bridge in Pollen Street. The suggestion was rejected by both Brigades.
By 1878 the number of Fire Brigades throughout the country was growing steadily and they all suffered from a lack of funding. In December of that year a group of 9 South Island brigades met in Christchurch to discuss matters of mutual interest and support each other in the endeavour of obtaining official recognition and financial assistance from the Government. This was the beginning of the United Fire Brigades Association of New Zealand. One of their resolutions was to write to all NZ Fire Brigades and solicit them as members.
By April 1879 both Grahamstown and Shortland Fire Brigades along with Wellington Fire Brigade had joined the association bringing the total number of members to 11.
The joining fee was £1/1-. When the amalgamated Thames Fire Brigade joined in 1887 there were 43 member brigades.
Now days there are over 485 members affiliated to the UFBA.
In 1880 the Borough Council took a new approach to an amalgamation, and that was to have one Superintendent that controlled both Brigades, once again the suggestion of amalgamation was opposed by both Brigades. The council were not happy with the response and continued working towards an amalgamation of the two Brigades, and eventually on December 1885 Superintendent George Price of the GVFB held a meeting and all of the Brigade Members resigned.
The resignation was accepted by the Borough Council and immediately appointed Superintendent West from the SVFB in command of both brigades.
Immediately Superintendent West transferred Captain Newman to be in charge of the reformed GVFB and they set about recruiting 18 firemen, but in a short time the Grahamstown members were not happy being under the control of Superintendent West, and wrote to the council to on the matter and threatened to disband if they did not get their own superintendent.
The Council were not phased by this, and endorsed their support for West.
The distension at GVFB continued, and on November 15th 1886 Superintendent West called a meeting after practice, and announced that he was disbanding the GVFB, and that they would no longer exist as part of the Fire Brigade. The next day and advertisement was placed in the paper informing the public and requesting that all clothing and gear should be returned immediately to the Engine Keeper, and another advertisement calling for Volunteers to join the Thames Volunteer Fire Brigade.
The last meeting of SVFB was held on January 14th 1887 and that heralded the beginning of the TVFB, with a North Branch and a South Branch operating with the facilities of the previous Brigades.
Superintendant West was in charge overall, and each branch had their own Captain and combined meetings were held at alternative Engine Houses.
The arrangement of two branches of the brigade continued until 1912 when a Central Fire Station was erected in Pauhau Street on the site that is occupied by the present Fire Station. In the same year TVFB commissioned their first motorised fire engine, it was a 1912 Cadillac, they were very proud of it.
The first Fire Engine was a Tilley Hand Pump, it pumped water from wells that were located on the street corners in the business area. The hand pump was very labour intensive and not popular with the firemen who tried to get bystanders to operate it while the Firemen fought the fire.The 1846 Tilley Hand Pump is still in the ownership of the TVFB and is in working condition.
Soon after the formation of the Thames Borough Council in 1873 they began a laying water mains. Initial the mains were laid in the main business area but as time and finances permitted they were extended into the residential areas. The Tilly Hand Pump was soon retired and replaced with hand drawn hose reels and standpipes, that were in use until the Cadillac Fire Engine was commissioned in 1912. The Cadillac was replaced in 1921 with a Stewart which was much more powerful and could navigate the hills with a full contingent of Firemen, something that the Cadillac could not handle. Thames has had numerous fire appliances over the years and currently is well equipped with a Type 1 Fire Truck and a Type 3 Rescue Truck and a 26 Support Vehicle.
Generally the hand drawn Hose Reels were replaced as a fire fighting appliance by Motorised Reels in the early 1900’s but they were retained for waterway competitions until 1937. Thames has retained two Hand Reels and both are in working order.
The Central Fire Station and Hall in Pauhau Street were demolished in 1969 and new 2 bay engine house and hall erected on the same site.In 1988 the engine bay was doubled in size,and now houses the 3 Fire Fighting appliances and Van.
A new kitchen was added in 1990 and has been used numerous times to cater for the crews during the several "100 year floods" that we have responded to over the past few years.
For the past 125 years the TVFB has been served by about 380 Fire Fighters and 17 Chief Fire Officers or Superintendents as the were known prior to 1960.
There have been 54 Gold Star's presented, the first being to Fireman Harry stone in 1911. Harry Stone later became the Superintendent from 1916 to 1921 when he retired after 37 years of service.
The roll of the Thames Brigade has changed over the years and Thames had adapted to these as the need arose.
In the beginning they only attended fire calls which amounted to about 10 – 15 per year, nowadays the calls total about 160 – 280 and the incidents are diverse, from property fires to motor accidents to assisting the public in time of need.
The Thames Volunteer Fire Brigade is held in high esteem by the general public.
