Historic Forrest Fire Station · Canberra

Preserving Canberra’s firefighting history

Historic fire trucks, equipment, records and stories cared for by retired firefighters and museum volunteers.

OpenSaturdays 10am–2pm

EntryFree

LocationForrest, Canberra

The museum

Preserved by firefighters and volunteers

The Fire Brigade Historical Society of the ACT has preserved Canberra’s firefighting history since 1979. Many volunteers are retired firefighters who restore the trucks, care for the collection and share how the vehicles and equipment were used.

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 K6

Purchased in the United States for Canberra’s wartime firefighting fleet, the K6 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.

Restoration

Museum volunteers restored the K6 after its return to Canberra, preserving 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 from anywhere

Explore the museum in 3D

Can’t visit Canberra? Walk through the historic Forrest Fire Station online and inspect the trucks, equipment and displays from wherever you are.

Open the full-screen 3D museum

Visit the museum

Open Saturdays

Hours: 10am–2pm
Location: Historic Forrest Fire Station
14 Empire Circuit, Forrest ACT
Entry: Free

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Support the work

Help keep the projects going

A simple donation is always most gratefully received and helps keep the various projects operating.

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

Contact the museum