Emergency Fire Service

[1] Also, in colonial times, government only attempted to control the outbreak of wildfire by legislating against the careless use of fire, beginning with the 1847 ordinance against reckless burn-offs or stubble and grass.

[1] Technological expansion after the Second World War revolutionised rural firefighting with the development of radios, telephones, motor transport and the knapsack spray.

[1] Later as part of the Second World War-effort, government-equipped volunteer Emergency Fire Service (EFS) brigades were established, at first in Adelaide, and later in some country areas.

To supervise the program, an Emergency Fire Services operation was formed within the Police Department.

Gradually the many local council brigades began to feel part of a statewide service.