165 years on the frontline at Portland Brigade

The brigade was formed by a public meeting notice in the Portland Guardian Newspaper in 1858 for the purpose of forming a Volunteer Fire Brigade to operate the fire vehicle they had recently received from England.  

From that meeting, Portland Fire Brigade has been operating in many iterations and is now a co-located brigade with Fire Rescue Victoria.  

Portland Captain Ian Hamley who has been involved with the brigade since 2010 said the night was a memorable tribute to the commitment and courage showed by all members past and present.  

“From early days when horse and carts were used, to having a fleet of specialised firefighting vehicles, our purpose of serving the community has remained at the heart of what we do,” Ian said. 

“The brigade has been an integral part of the local community since 1858, and we hope it continues to remain that way for generations to come.”  

The brigade attends approximately 150 support calls annually and has been at the frontline of many major emergencies including the 2014 Grampians fires, 2014 Mt Clay fires and the 2015 Awassi Express fire. 

Throughout their service, Portland brigade has encountered many challenges on the fireground, with the passing of 4th Lieutenant Garry Mallen a particularly devastating loss.  

The crew were responding to a shed fire on 30 January 2024 when Lieutenant Mallen collapsed while fighting the fire. Three CFA members on scene were quick into action, undertaking CPR until the arrival of paramedics.  

Unfortunately, Lieutenant Mallen was unable to be revived despite their efforts.  

Portland 1st Lieutenant Adam Hermelin, who was on scene said it was one of the most confronting and emotional incidents he has faced.  

“We learn first aid training hoping we never have to use it,” Adam said. 

“To use it for the first time on a well-respected colleague was quite an unreal experience.”  

“Garry was a prominent member here at Portland. He put his hand up for anything, was a great trainer and was always good for a laugh.”  

The composure and professionalism shown by firefighters Adam Hermelin, Ryan Delony and John Wolf was awarded with a Unit Citation for Courage from Chief Officer Jason Heffernan on Saturday. 

“It’s nice to be recognised for our efforts that day, but we simply did what anyone else in our shoes would have done that day,” Adam said.  

Looking to the future, Ian says the brigade are always looking for new volunteers.  

“If you’re thinking about joining, everyone is more than welcome to come take a look around the station and learn about the different roles available.”