History
• 1890
Metropolitan Fire Brigades Board (MFBB) for the Metropolitan Fire District and a Country Fire Brigades Board (CFBB) were created.
• 1891
The CFBB officially came into being on 1 January 1891.
• 1926
Bush Fire Brigades were formed following serious bushfires.
• 1939
Following serious fires across Victoria a Royal Commission recommended a single firefighting organisation for country Victoria.
•1944
The devastation of the 1944 fires emphasised the urgency of better coordination of country fire services.
• 1945
The Country Fire Authority (CFA) commenced operation on 2 April 1945.
CFA
• 59,000 Volunteers
• 1226 Brigades
• 3500+ Vehicles
• Protecting 2.5 million residents
• Responsible for 150,182 square kilometres of land
• A steady increase in female membership of the past few years now sees a record of 11,829 female volunteers – over 20 per cent of CFA numbers.
When faced with the threat of fire, most of us would gather our love ones and if time permitted, our most prized possessions, and run away from the fire.
The CFA members are the ones that are running towards it. Some of them are paid to be there but a lot of them are volunteers.
The Fire Brigades mentioned in this cache are only some of the local ones to this specific area and are the easiest for us to access for the purpose of this puzzle. Every Brigade differs in size and numbers but each Brigade is there for us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Each being equally as important to the community.
To find this cache you will need to visit some of the local fire stations, either in person or virtually via the internet. Please obey any parking signs and don't obstruct the front of the operational stations.
PLEASE NOTE THE CONTAINER AT GZ IS PERMANENTLY FIXED WITHIN ITS NICHE. REMOVE THE LID ONLY TO ACCESS THE CONTENTS.
The cache is located at:
South AB° CD+15.E(FG-13)
East 144° (H÷8)J.(KLM-88)
The search for answers begins at
Kangaroo Flat Fire Station
AB = 36 - The phone number you would call if you need the Fire Brigade - FAST!
Golden Square Fire Station
1CD = The number of years this fire station has been here (according to the plaque).
Bendigo Fire Station
E = The number of flag poles at the front of the building in Hargreaves Street.
Old Bendigo Fire Station
18FG = The year the foundation stone was laid?
Eaglehawk Fire Station
H = The month mentioned on the plaques.
Woodvale Fire Station
JKLM = The year the Woodvale Fire Brigade was established.