62812
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Fire prevention
Unique IDAY-0065DescriptionCouncil is involved in fire prevention activity through building and development regulation, one of the objectives of which is to minimise fire risks.
It appears that during the C19 Councils may have had more active fire control activities but this is yet to be confirmed. See Municipalities Acts.
State Records NSW notes in its description of Activity 240, Fire Prevention and Control, that prior to the passing of the Fire Brigades Act, No 3, 1884, "Sydney's fire protection was provided from the mid-nineteenth century by volunteer and insurance company brigades". However, it appears that although the City of Sydney did not employ men specifically to fight fires, it was providing an ad-hoc service as part of its responsibilities for providing water to the City. As early as 1847, it was recompensing employees who were involved in fighting fires. The first recorded instance was on 4 December 1847 when the Water Committee resolved to pay four men for assisting at a fire at Elizabeth and Campbell Streets (CRS 19/1).
On 10 January 1848 the Water Committee reported on the subject of tenders for the supply of coats, trousers and caps for the service of the Fire Brigade of the City Council. “Your committee have the honour to report that pursuant to advertisements, the accompanying tender from Mr Henry Vaughan for the supply of coats, trousers and caps for the service of the Fire Brigade of the City Council was received.” (The tender was withdrawn on 21 February 1848 but no reason is given). (CRS 21/6).
On 4 December 1848 the Committee reported on procuring additional fire plugs along the water mains for the purpose of providing water to extinguish fires. (CRS 21/7).
The Water Committee was responsible for maintaining the fire engines and on 16 January 1851 they decided to recommend to Council "that a fire brigade of 12 men be established from the men employed on the Corporation works and that they be allowed extra pay at the rate of 3s per week provided that they reside in the vicinity of the Engine House. That badges be furnished for each man."
On 10 February 1851 the Committee elaborated: “The difficulty which has so often been experienced and must continue to be felt while no Fire Brigade is in existence, in working the Corporation Engines in cases of fire, has induced your Committee to recommend to the Council, if the Fire Engines are to be retained, that a Fire Brigade be established consisting of 12 men, employed on the Corporation works; that they be allowed extra pay at the rate of three shillings per week, on condition that they reside in the vicinity of the Engine House; that badges be provided for the men belonging to the Brigade as a distinguishing mark, and that the Water Committee be empowered to recompense and men of the Brigade and others employed or rendering themselves active in extinguishing fires, at a rate not exceeding 5(?) per day and 7/6 per night."
"Your Committee beg to urge on the Council the propriety of adopting their recommendation or disposing of the Fire Engines, as it is merely practising an imposition on the public for the Council to have two Fire Engines in their possession, without any means of working them when required.” (CRS 21/9, Report 17)
By 2 October 1851 the City Surveyor was instructed to take immediate steps for carrying into effect this resolution of Council. The Water Committee also reported on 5 & 26 June 1851 that the fireman of the Insurance Company had obstructed and assaulted one of the Corporation firemen while in the execution of his duty.
CreationThis activity is subject to research.AbolitionFire Brigades Act, No. 3, 1884, 18 March 1884
It appears that during the C19 Councils may have had more active fire control activities but this is yet to be confirmed. See Municipalities Acts.
State Records NSW notes in its description of Activity 240, Fire Prevention and Control, that prior to the passing of the Fire Brigades Act, No 3, 1884, "Sydney's fire protection was provided from the mid-nineteenth century by volunteer and insurance company brigades". However, it appears that although the City of Sydney did not employ men specifically to fight fires, it was providing an ad-hoc service as part of its responsibilities for providing water to the City. As early as 1847, it was recompensing employees who were involved in fighting fires. The first recorded instance was on 4 December 1847 when the Water Committee resolved to pay four men for assisting at a fire at Elizabeth and Campbell Streets (CRS 19/1).
On 10 January 1848 the Water Committee reported on the subject of tenders for the supply of coats, trousers and caps for the service of the Fire Brigade of the City Council. “Your committee have the honour to report that pursuant to advertisements, the accompanying tender from Mr Henry Vaughan for the supply of coats, trousers and caps for the service of the Fire Brigade of the City Council was received.” (The tender was withdrawn on 21 February 1848 but no reason is given). (CRS 21/6).
On 4 December 1848 the Committee reported on procuring additional fire plugs along the water mains for the purpose of providing water to extinguish fires. (CRS 21/7).
The Water Committee was responsible for maintaining the fire engines and on 16 January 1851 they decided to recommend to Council "that a fire brigade of 12 men be established from the men employed on the Corporation works and that they be allowed extra pay at the rate of 3s per week provided that they reside in the vicinity of the Engine House. That badges be furnished for each man."
On 10 February 1851 the Committee elaborated: “The difficulty which has so often been experienced and must continue to be felt while no Fire Brigade is in existence, in working the Corporation Engines in cases of fire, has induced your Committee to recommend to the Council, if the Fire Engines are to be retained, that a Fire Brigade be established consisting of 12 men, employed on the Corporation works; that they be allowed extra pay at the rate of three shillings per week, on condition that they reside in the vicinity of the Engine House; that badges be provided for the men belonging to the Brigade as a distinguishing mark, and that the Water Committee be empowered to recompense and men of the Brigade and others employed or rendering themselves active in extinguishing fires, at a rate not exceeding 5(?) per day and 7/6 per night."
"Your Committee beg to urge on the Council the propriety of adopting their recommendation or disposing of the Fire Engines, as it is merely practising an imposition on the public for the Council to have two Fire Engines in their possession, without any means of working them when required.” (CRS 21/9, Report 17)
By 2 October 1851 the City Surveyor was instructed to take immediate steps for carrying into effect this resolution of Council. The Water Committee also reported on 5 & 26 June 1851 that the fireman of the Insurance Company had obstructed and assaulted one of the Corporation firemen while in the execution of his duty.
CreationThis activity is subject to research.AbolitionFire Brigades Act, No. 3, 1884, 18 March 1884
Description
Start date4th December 1847Start date qualifierbyEnd date18th March 1884Relationship legacy dataRELATED TO: Emergency services FN-0025 (4/12/1847)
Identification
Source system ID65
Relationships
FunctionEmergency services
Fire prevention [AY-0065]. City of Sydney Archives, accessed 22 Dec 2024, https://archives.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/nodes/view/62812