‘Mum Dad quick get up’ is the early call we get on Christmas morning, just like all over the world but its not for the obvious reason here in Dampier, as we rub our eyes and try to focus on the Christmas tree and the gifts underneath our kids pull us to our front door. The sirens have sounded, we rush to the end of our drives some folks loaded with a 6 pack, others armed and ready with a loaded water pistol all with a warm fuzzy feeling inside. Christmas has officially begun.

Our volunteer Fire Fighters are on standby to save our lives and homes 24/7 and if that’s not enough, for the past 40 years these volunteers give up their time, and any chance of a sleep in, to slowly drive through every street in Dampier delivering lollies on Christmas morning. True Blue Aussie Heroes without a doubt.

In 1968 Mr P. Whipps was employed by Hamersley Iron (HI) as the Dampier Fire Officer. He proudly sounded the siren and declared the Dampier Fire Station open. It was not until 1970 that the brigade became affiliated with WA Fire Brigade, having 22 members by this time. With much fanfare the first fire tenders came to Dampier in 1972 along with a tender to Tom Price. After 14 years of service Mr Whipp was replaced with Mr J Cahill in 1982. In the 1980s the Fire Brigade ran extensive community and workplace education programs with great success. The most important job in that period was the first cat rescue in 1989! Also in 1989, Dampier was ‘modernised’ and fire hydrations installed all over town – a relief I’m sure that the ‘Firies’ no longer needed to rely on garden hoses and extinguishers!

The Brigade up until this time was a private Fire Station owned by HI but in 2006 it became the Dampier Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service, honoured by DFES and FESA. In 2014 long term resident Dennis Mills was recognised as a life member, devoting 40 years to the Dampier Fire Station.

Not only are these guys looking after us but in recent years have deployed to Yarloop and over East to fight fires further afield. Our current Captain Stephan Bulla took on the Command in 2017. The Service is a credit to its volunteers for over 50 years, they always welcome new recruits and love the opportunity to teach and share their knowledge with all rookies.

If you think you have what it takes to be a true superhero… it even comes with a costume, sorry I meant uniform, the roller doors are always open and eager. Training every Wednesday afternoon at the DVFRS.

Thanks to Bonnie Slater and Bernie Bulla for helping to gather history and photos.

Left to right Mr Whipps, Tom Rintoul, Peter Moyle, Lou Roffey, Roger Hill, John Kerr and centre Dennis Mills 1980

7th Dampier Icon - Dampier Volunteer Fire & Rescue Service - Our Local SuperHeroes

DAMPIER COMMUNITY Association

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