Historic Forrest Fire Station · 4 Empire Circuit

Canberra Fire Museum

Fire Brigade Historical Society of the ACT

The Society preserves artefacts of historical significance relating to firefighting services in the Canberra region. Formed in 1979, it collates and displays the history of fire services provided to the ACT community since 1913.

Visit the museum View the projects

WhenEvery Saturday, 10am–2pm

CostGold coin donation appreciated

Where4 Empire Circuit, Forrest ACT

The museum

Canberra and regional fire services, preserved

Based in the historic Forrest Fire Station, the museum shares the fire-service story of Canberra and surrounding New South Wales communities, with restored appliances on show from 1913 through to the mid-1980s.

Other vehicles are in storage or undergoing restoration as space allows. The Society accepts invitations and arranged visits by appointment, while Saturday visitors remain welcome during public opening hours.

Restoration projects

Historic trucks brought back to life

Service history and restoration work completed by museum volunteers.

Restored and presented to the museum

1923 Albion

The museum placard identifies this Albion as Canberra Fire Brigade’s second motorised appliance, now restored and displayed with period crew equipment.

1923: Entered the story of the brigade as its second motorised appliance.
1930s: The display notes later modifications and a change in duty role.
Later: Retired from active service after its working life with the brigade.
c. 2008: Restored and presented to the Canberra Fire Museum.

Restoration

The restored Albion is presented as an early motorised firefighting appliance, showing the shift from hand and horse-era equipment into motorised brigade service.

Restored before museum purchase

1928 Dennis 250

The Dennis 250 did not serve in Canberra, but became an important display vehicle for the establishment of the Canberra Fire Museum.

1928: Built as a Dennis 250 fire appliance.
Service: Served with the NSW Fire Brigades in the Sydney area and later at Coolamon in country NSW.
Museum: Purchased by Commissioner Kerr as a flagship display vehicle for the Canberra Fire Museum.
Today: Displayed as a fully restored appliance.

Restoration

The display placard notes the Dennis had already been completely restored at the time of purchase.

Restored by museum volunteers

1941 International KB6

Purchased in the United States for Canberra’s wartime firefighting fleet, the KB6 served the ACT for almost three decades before continuing its service in regional New South Wales.

1941: Purchased in the United States.
1943: Entered service after its firefighting bodywork was completed in Sydney.
1971: Retired from ACT service and sold to the NSW Rural Fire Service at The Rock.
2014: Exchanged with the Lockhart museum for the 1922 Garford and returned to Canberra.
Today: Restored and displayed at the Canberra Fire Museum, with the before-and-after images showing the scale of the work.

Restoration

Museum volunteers restored the KB6 after its return to Canberra, taking the weathered appliance back to a bright red museum display that preserves an important part of the city’s wartime firefighting history.

Returned to the museum in 2012

1974 Volvo F86

The Volvo F86 records the transition from traditional red appliances to diesel equipment and the trial of yellow safety colouring.

1974: Entered service as a traditional red appliance.
First: Identified on the display as the first of the diesel-engined appliances.
1984: Used as a trial vehicle for the yellow safety colour.
1989: Retired and loaned to NSW RFS Gunning.
2012: Returned to the Canberra Fire Museum.

Restoration

The appliance is displayed in its yellow Fire Rescue form, preserving a later chapter in ACT firefighting vehicle design and visibility.

Visit the museum

Open Saturdays

When: Every Saturday from 10am–2pm
Where: Historic Forrest Fire Station
4 Empire Circuit, Forrest ACT
Cost: Gold coin donation is appreciated
Bus: Bus number 58 will get you a short walk from the museum.

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Appointments and updates

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The museum is a strong stop for heavy vehicle enthusiasts, fire-service history followers and families.

For invitations, arranged visits, group visits or historical enquiries, contact the museum through Facebook.

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