A SENSE of community remains an integral part of the ethos at Cleveland Fire Station, which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary.
Area Commander Cleveland Brendan Flynn said it was the station’s community feel and focus that made working there rewarding.
The milestone reunion was attended by Assistant Commissioner Kevin Reading, State Member for Oodgeroo Amanda Stoker, Redland City Mayor Jos Mitchell, and several former firefighters who had served at the station.
Among them were brothers Len and Donald Bertram, who were instrumental in starting the fire service in 1961 at a Council depot located at the current Redland Performing Arts Centre site.
The Bertrams, now aged 81 and 87, were Council plant operators who were allowed time off work to fight fires in the then shire.
They were joined by Council mechanic Les Dowling.
The men sold raffle tickets to fund the purchase of an ex-RAAF Blitz which they painted, equipped, and turned into the area’s first fire engine.
The second was an ex-Dodge fire engine purchased from the Metropolitan Fire Brigade in Brisbane, which they also restored.
“They were looking for blokes who knew the area,” Mr Bertram said.
“I knew every street and all the people.
“I didn’t need a Refidex Street Directory.”
Mr Bertram said they would keep the bushfires down and work on burn-offs, car accidents and boat fires.
“We did lots of work all over the district,” he said.
“By then we had lots of mates join us.
“There was a system of phone sitters which were all connected.
“If there was a fire, the phones would all ring at once, so we all got the message together.”
The service was manned by volunteers and funded through fundraising and petrol supplied by Council.
In 1975, Don Bertram left Council to join the fire brigade full time.
The new station was built at its current location.
“It was a great privilege to be a part of the service,” Mr Bertram said.
Commander Flynn said the station had a proud local history and it was an honour to be a part of the 50th special celebration.
The area is now serviced by stations at Capalaba, Redland Bay, auxiliary stations at North Stradbroke Island, and a rural fire service on Coochiemudlo Island.
