The Denmark Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service celebrates 60 years since it was established on March 9, 1962.
Rural brigades were operating in the Denmark shire at the time with 13 of these in outlying areas and a town fire control officer, Harry Kingston, in the 1950s.
When Felix Timothy was appointed shire clerk in the early 1960s, he realised the need for a town brigade, as he had been involved in the fire service before coming to Denmark.
At a meeting held in the Civic Centre on the March 9, 1962, the Denmark Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service was inaugurated by the WA Fire Brigade Board president.
Tim Timothy was the first captain of the Denmark crew and Jim Hart was the first local captain after Tim Timothy left.
Photo courtesy Denmark Bulletin.
There have been many fires during the life of the settlement of Denmark since in 1895.
Many of these have been documented in newspaper articles and oral histories.
One of the first members was Ollie Wakka who has served for all of the 60 years of the service and is still doing so.
He will be presented with his medal at the anniversary celebration early in April.
This article appeared in the Denmark Bulletin, 10 March 2022.
