Dennis Brothers introduced a 30 cwt (1.5 Tonne) truck chassis in 1925. These were very popular as delivery vans, and included many novel features for their time, this led to their adoption in a wide variety of other roles. In 1926 a lengthened version of the 30 cwt chassis was offered as a light Fire Appliance. These relatively inexpensive machines proved extremely popular, especially as the looming depression caused local authorities to begin severely restricting their budgets.

Novel features included four wheel brakes, and pneumatic tyres (both fitted at a time when official regulations still prevented their general use in England, and in part were instrumental in changing perceptions on the efficiency of these items), one piece cast cylinder blocks cast all in one piece with the crankcase, and a clutch housing and gearbox all bolted together in a single unit, and the mounting of all these items direct onto the chassis, instead of separate sub - frames.

With the basic 36 B.h.p. motors a variety of different size pumps could be fitted to meet the customers requirements. Large numbers of these vehicles were exported to the "Dominions".

The main body style followed the traditional "Braidwood" layout. Although some examples came as specialised appliances e.g. Salvage, or Emergency Tenders. As often happens with Fire Appliances, the chassis is superseded for a variety of reasons, but the pumps are still sound, and are remounted onto the replacement vehicle. It was probably for this reason that this vehicle is no longer fitted with a pump, although the mounting points show definite signs of having a pump fitting in place at some time.

This Appliance is originally from New South Wales, and H.F.E.A.A. published records indicate that it may have been from a large group (28 vehicles in all) titled "DENNIS 250 sv." and fitted with a 250 G.P.M. pumps. These vehicles were progressively commissioned between 1927 and 1930. It is believed to have served at Thyrrell.

A number of similar vehicles, from batches imported from England, also operated in Melbourne, and Country Victoria.

For the technically, or statistically minded, the following details are on the builders plate, still mounted on the front fire wall: