| 1865 |
|
| Prior to 1865 there was no Fire Brigade as
such in Gibraltar, fire fighting was carried out by the Military Fire engines stationed at
strategic points in Gibraltar. In 1865 the Sanitary Order in Council set up the Sanitary
Commissioners placing upon them the responsibility of; "the prevention and extinction
of fires". The Order in Council also authorised the Governor to make from time to
time, Rules & Regulations for the extinction and prevention of fires. |
| 1893 |
|
| Records indicate telephone was in use at this
time. |
| 1906 |
|
| Electric light first installed in station. |
| 1913 |
|
| Suggestion made to transfer the staffing of
the brigade by the police as Military intended to withdraw troops for other duties. Cost
of scheme with 40 policemen would be £428 per annum. Alternative proposal made by Sgt
Robinson of Fire Brigade to staff the brigade with civilian craftsmen from Sanitary
Commissioners Workshops Ragged Staff and provide a station opposite. 
|
| 1934 |
|
 New Engine and
Pump purchased and proposals made for new fire station to be built at Victoria Battery
(site of present CFB H.Q.). At this time apart from a 30 foot extension ladder there was
also a wheeled escape which had to be manhandled to wherever it was required. |
| 1937-38 |
|
| The new fire station at Alameda was completed
and staffed by 1 Sgt and 24 Firemen. The Supt Fire Brigade was The Garrison Adjutant.
|
| 1940 |
|
| Capt. A W Beevers, the 1st Professional Fire
Officer to Serve in Gibraltar, was brought out to re-organise the service and place it on
a war footing. In consequence the Council's professional brigade was augmented by No. 4
Overseas Fire Brigade, complete with its own fire engines and equipment. This was further
increased by the arrival of more men and appliances together with modern equipment. |
| 1946 |
|
 In
October commensurate with the run down of Military personnel the first 12 civilian
recruits were signed on and trained as firemen for service with the War Department pending
transfer to the City Council. In December 1946 the first Civilian Firemen ever to be
employed in Gibraltar attended their first fire. |
| 1948 |
|
Captain Hoare relinquished Military Duties and was
appointed as the first Civilian Fire Chief of Gibraltar.
|
| 1949 |
|
| The Brigade consisted of two watches (Red
& Blue) working on a 72 hr week and each watch was commanded by a Station Officer both
of whom were UK expatriates. Eventually the services of one of these Officers was
dispensed with, the strength of the brigade increased and two local men promoted to
Sub/Officer rank to command the watches. |
| 1954 |
|
 Brigade split into 3 watches,
Red, White and Blue and 1 more sub/Officer promoted. Working hours were reduced to 60
hours per week and later to 56 hours. The day shift working from 8 am to 5 pm (9 hours).
The average turn out per year by the Brigade to fire calls and special services was
approximately 300. The brigade's equipment was gradually replaced by better and more
modern engines and appliances. |
| 1973 |
|
| H E Smith new Chief fire Officer arrived on
replacement for Capt. Hoare who retired. |
| 1974 |
|
| For the first time in the brigade history a
local member, Mr L Edmonds became a graduate of the Institute of Fire Engineers. |
| 1976 |
|
| With the introduction of the City Fire
Brigade and Fire Services Ordinance in this year the brigade standard improved both
technically and practically with the aim of all officers receiving training at the fire
service technical college in the United Kingdom. The fire prevention department under the
command of the Deputy Chief Fire Officer over the years steadily developed into an
efficient working machine, as a result of which fire survey inspections of most Government
buildings, offices, schools, hospitals, commercial garages and petroleum installations
have been carried out and the necessary recommendations made. |
| 1980 |
|
L W Edmonds G.I.F.E. took over command from H E Smith as
Chief Fire Officer. A new era for the brigade started, with greater emphasis being placed
on the wide field of emergency services such as Cliff/Mountain Rescues etc. Underwater
Divers teams were later introduced and a large variety of up to date rescue equipment
obtained.
|
| 1988 |
|
| Initial steps are made toward establishing a
marine section to tackle fire at sea. |
| 1990 |
|
 The Gibraltar
Philatelic Bureau issued a set of four stamps to commemorate the 125th Anniversary of the
Fire Service in Gibraltar. The 4p value depicted two Victorian firemen, the 44p a modern
fireman wearing Breathing Apparatus, the 20p stamp a Dennis 1940's appliance, and the 42p
showed a Range Rover 6 x 4 wheeled pump ladder appliance.
|
| 2000 |
|
Louis Casciaro took over as Chief Fire
Officer from Leslie Edmonds. He joined the service in 1979. He was promoted to Divisional Officer Operations and Training in 1995. In 1999 he was
awarded a BSc from South Bank University. He is also a member of the I.F.E
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| Last
Revised : 09 October 2004 |
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