The 50th anniversary of the Cairns Fire and Rescue Station has been marked at a ceremony attended by past and present firefighters as well as the Minister for Fire and Emergency Services, Mark Ryan.
Mr Ryan noted that the Cairns Fire and Rescue Station was opened as the Cairns Fire Brigade Headquarters on 25 September 1971, replacing the Lake Street Fire Station built in the 1930s.
“While the 1970s buildings remain, they have been extensively renovated and now house a range of Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) operational response units,” Mr Ryan said.
“This celebration is an important opportunity to thank all firefighters for their dedication and loyalty.”
He said for 50 years Cairns firefighters had responded to a vast array of emergencies, putting their lives on the line to protect the community from bushfires, structural fires, floods and cyclones.
“Cairns has grown since those early days, with more permanent residents, an expansion of industry and more tourists passing through,” Mr Ryan said.
With more than 30 years of service, retired firefighter, Allan Hanson said one night stood out from his days with the QFES.
“The phone rang in the middle of the night when one of the large buildings in town caught fire, but we discovered the key for the truck was broken,” Mr Hanson said.
“It took me 10 frantic minutes to get the truck going with a screwdriver and then we were off,” he said.
