New book about Langley Barfold Fire Brigade

Deborah Warr with the history of Langley Barfold Fire Brigade

 

A new book chronicling 100 years of the Langley Barfold Fire Brigade captures the ways in which a local rural fire brigade has been protecting its community from the dangers of fire while adapting to technological advancements and climate change.

 

Time and Change – 100 Years of the Langley Barfold Fire Brigade explores how the work of the fire brigade has transformed over time in response to change, while recognising the enduring importance of community in sustaining a local fire brigade.

The book was written by Barfold local and former academic Deborah Warr who said the project showed the importance of community in sustaining a local fire brigade.

“In reading historical accounts and talking to past and current members I saw how important community was to the vitality of the brigade. Communities need a brigade to manage the risks of fire and people joined brigades because they wanted to protect their community,” Deborah said.

She said the book builds on other local histories and combines archival material and interviews with brigade and community members.

“Like many local fire brigades, it has been sustained by the contribution of families who have been here for generations as well as new people moving into the district and joining the brigade.”

The book describes major fires that have threatened the district over the years. Deborah said these kinds of local histories are important as a source of knowledge for communities both in terms of how they have protected themselves from fire in the past and the unique factors that bring communities together.

The book also traces how the establishment of CFA profoundly shaped local brigades, as well as insights gathered in the aftermath of large fires in Victoria, including Black Friday, Ash Wednesday and Black Saturday.

“It’s a cracking yarn,” brigade Captain Mark Bond said. “There’s a lot to be learned from this history for understanding what happened and how it might happen again”.

Deborah agreed. “We learn about community resilience in ways that could help us to continue to navigate longstanding and new emerging risks of fire.”

The hard-cover book was launched at Holcolm Estate Distillery in Barfold last weekend (26 July).

It's available at Aesop’s Attic in High Street, Kyneton, and direct from the Langley Barfold Fire Brigade.

 

Submitted by	News and Media