About Us

Edithvale Fire Brigade’s long and proud volunteer history started in 1925 when nine community members formed the area’s first brigade. Even in those formative years members prided themselves on being self-sufficient, working with their community to fund and build our first station – a 30 feet by 14 feet shed – next to the town’s railway line. 

In 1967, recognising the growth of the area and committed to maintaining their fire service, the community and local council rallied once again to raise funds for a new station. The new building in Station Street, Edithvale, was officially opened in 1969 by the mayor of the day, Councillor H.D. (Bert) Thomas. He was a life member of the brigade who had served as a CFA volunteer for more than 25 years.

Our brigade has grown and changed a lot in the past 100 years, and the facilities and services we provide to the community has grown in tandem as members continually innovate their services. 

Each year the brigade’s diverse group of more than 120 volunteers respond to over 300 fires and emergencies within Edithvale, Aspendale, Aspendale Gardens and surrounding suburbs. Members have expertise in both wildfire and structural firefighting as well as Emergency Medical Response; the brigade was one of the first five CFA brigades to provide first responder support to Ambulance Victoria through the now well-established Emergency Medical Response program.

Our brigade also houses and operates one of CFA’s two Heavy Mobile Command Vehicles, providing support to major incidents across the state. Members also contribute to larger firefighting and emergency operations in Victoria and interstate.

Our spirit of community remains, as well as the goal to ensure community members are connected to their local brigade. In addition to emergency response, our brigade supports the local RSL and Rotary Club, and conducts school visits and community education activities.

Thousands of community members turn out to the Brigade’s Open Days. The brigade has also been raising money for the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal for over 70 years.

Our new state-of-the-art station, opened in 2017 on the original Station Street site, retained a focus on community. In addition to its four-bay motor room, brigade meeting and administrative facilities, the station includes a purpose-built business hub and community meeting room that are available for both volunteers and community members. 

Not unlike those formative years, the station and its facilities would not have been possible without the support of community donations and fundraising.

Local resident the late John Hennessy, a great admirer of the work of CFA volunteers, sold his home to CFA to make way for the station’s refurbishment and expansion. The station’s community meeting room is named for John, who sadly passed away in 2020.

Edithvale members work hard to ensure their community continued to be actively engaged in the brigade and brigade activities as they have been since the brigade’s inception. 

The Brigade’s annual fun run, which has grown year on year, is now a hallmark community event attracting significant attendance from within the brigade’s area and beyond. It also allows us to undertake important engagement on fire safety and preparation and build awareness of our operational and non-operational volunteer opportunities.

Our goal is to ensure that our community feels like they are part of the brigade even if they are not a member.