Fire Services History Victoria
 39 Gisborne Street, East Melbourne, 3002, Australia
(Cnr. Gisborne Street and Victoria Parade), East Melbourne
Fire Services Museum Building
The Fire Services Museum is located in the old Metropolitan Fire Brigade head station, Gisborne Street, East Melbourne, built 1893.

History

When searching for a site for the MFB in the early 1890's it was decided that the East Melbourne location, originally known as Eastern Hill was ideal because, "...with an aid of a watchtower firefighters could get an uninterrupted view of Melbourne and the inner suburbs...", and, "....it would be a downhill run for the horses to almost every fire...".

The site on the corner of Victoria Parade and Gisborne Street was chosen and the MBF purchased the land at a cost of 12,000 pounds.

Eastern Hill Head Fire Station No. 1 circa 1910
Photo - Fire Services Museum Collection
An "Architects Competition" was held to search for the most favourable design based on a brief of requirements provided by the MFB. Some of the requirements included the need for "...a 150 foot watchtower, three turnout bays, stables for the horses and a special shed to house the particularly long American extension ladder...".

The winning design was by Messrs Smith and Johnson. Some alterations were made to the plans prior to commencement. The firm of Thomas Cockram & Co. was selected in June 1892 to construct the building with a quoted price of 15,989 pounds.

As well as the "...150 foot watchtower, three turnout bays, stables for the horses and a special shed to house the extension ladder...", the head station building included a large workshop engineering area, a printers workshop, an administrative area and living quarters as most firemen (and families, if married) lived onsite 24 hours, 7 days.
Meeting of the MFB Board showing S. Mauger, first board President circa 1903
Photo - Fire Services Museum Collection
The new head station was officially opened on November 3, 1893. The MFB held a large parade and demonstration to commemorate the day. "...Included in the parade were eight steam engines, the Hayes extension ladder, the Shad Mason ladder and 20 hose carts, and 200 firemen...."

The "Australasian Builder and Contractor News" reporting on the opening of the station said "...At a given signal, the stable gates flew up, the narness dropped on the horses, the Brigade doors flew open, and the Brigade discharged itself with speed and precision..."
The Fire Services Museum is located in the old Metropolitan Fire Brigade head station, Gisborne Street, East Melbourne, built 1893.

The Brigade eventually needed more living space and administration areas and expanded into Albert Street.

After the introduction of larger modern appliances the design of the head station became too restrictive (it had been built in the horse drawn era). A new head station was built in Albert Street and opened in 1979. The MFB moved to the Albert Street building.

Floodlit watchtower by night, Eastern Hill
Photo - H. Mshiter Private Collection
The Fire Services Museum Victoria was formed and found it's home in the historic "Eastern Hill, No. 1, Head Fire Station".

(Information and quotes from "Melbourne Fire Brigade News Review, December 1979 and The "Australasian Builder and Contractor News")
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