Bacchus Marsh Fire Brigade - official

15/05/2026

Important Parking Notice – Main St Fire Station

As we come into the cooler months, the Bacchus Marsh Fire Brigade would like to remind residents that the designated parking spaces outside the fire station on Main St are reserved exclusively for CFA vehicles and CFA members.

These spaces are critical for our emergency response, providing our volunteers with quick access to the station when responding to an incident. Unauthorized parking in these areas can significantly hinder emergency operations and the safe maneuvering of large fire vehicles in an already congested area.

We kindly ask all community members to respect these restrictions. Please utilize the available legal parking spaces in the surrounding area. Moorabool Shire Council actively monitors compliance and may issue fines for vehicles parked in the no-stopping zone without a CFA permit.

Thank you for your cooperation in ensuring our emergency services can operate safely and efficiently.

12/05/2026

08/05/2026

Today members of the Bacchus Marsh Fire Brigade attended the 2026 AFAC Memorial Service on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra, where 1st Lieutenant Daniel Williams received the memorial medallion on behalf of the family of Francis "Frank" Symington. The medallion was presented by Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia.

Frank lost his life in April 1937 while responding to a fire in Bacchus Marsh at just 23 years of age. Today's service provided an opportunity to formally honour his sacrifice alongside firefighters and emergency services personnel from across Australia who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their communities.

For our brigade, today was about ensuring that one of our own, nearly 90 years after his passing, was recognised with the dignity and respect he deserved. Although separated by generations, the connection between past and present members of the Bacchus Marsh Fire Brigade remains incredibly strong, and Frank's legacy continues to form part of our brigade's proud history.

A special acknowledgement must again go to Chris Eggleston, whose dedication and persistence working with CFA helped ensure Frank finally received the recognition he deserved after so many years. Without Chris' research, advocacy, and commitment to preserving brigade history, today would not have been possible.

We would also like to thank all Bacchus Marsh members who contributed to this process and those who attended today's service to honour Frank's sacrifice.

Today's service also recognised two other CFA line of duty deaths whose families received memorial medallions alongside ours. We extend our deepest respect to Captain Joseph Smith of the Lilydale Fire Brigade and to Captain Walter "Wally" Anderson of the Kangaroo Flat Fire Brigade. Like Frank, both made the ultimate sacrifice while serving their communities, and like Frank, their recognition has been a long time coming.

To the members of Lilydale CFA Fire Brigade and Kangaroo Flat Fire Brigade , and to the families of Captain Smith and Captain Anderson, we stand with you. Your loved ones' service is part of the same proud tradition that binds every CFA brigade together, and today their names were honoured as they always should have been.
Rest in peace, Frank, Joseph and Wally.

04/05/2026

FIREFIGHTER FRANCIS EDWARD SYMINGTON
Line of Duty Death — 7 April 1937

The Bacchus Marsh Fire Brigade is proud to share that following an extensive review of brigade, newspaper and coroner records, our member Francis (Frank) Symington has been formally recognised as a line of duty death.

On the evening of 6 April 1937, Frank heard the fire bell and immediately set off for the station by bicycle to fulfil his role as the nominated driver of the pump. Tragically, he collided head-on with another unlit cyclist in the darkness — his own brother, Henry Ebenezer Symington, who was also responding to the alarm. Frank, aged just 23, was taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital where he passed away the following day from a fractured skull.

Yesterday, members of our brigade attended the memorial service at VEMTC Highlands where a plaque was unveiled in Frank's honour. We were humbled to lay a wreath on behalf of the Bacchus Marsh Fire Brigade in remembrance of our fallen member.

A further service will be held on Friday 8th May, Lt Daniel Williams and Firefighter Chris Eggleston — the driver behind this initiative to have Frank's sacrifice formally recognised — will travel to Canberra, where Frank will be honoured at the AFAC memorial on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin.

Frank's name will also be memorialised in the EMV section of Treasury Gardens at a later date.

89 years on, we remember. Rest easy, Frank.

The brigade would like to thank the Bacchus Marsh & District Historical Society for their assistance in gathering the information required to finally honour Frank.

Pictured: Firefighter Chris Eggleston with the memorial plaque that will be displayed in treasury gardens.

29/04/2026

🚑 12 Months of Fire Medical Response at Bacchus Marsh 🚒

Today marks 12 months since Bacchus Marsh Fire Brigade joined CFA's Fire Medical Response (FMR) program.

In that time, our dedicated volunteers have responded to 42 FMR calls, providing critical early assistance to our community when it matters most.

These calls place our crews alongside Ambulance Victoria, delivering immediate care in those vital first minutes before paramedics arrive. It’s a role we’re incredibly proud to support.

👏 A huge thank you to all our members who have stepped up, undertaken additional training, and continue to serve our community with professionalism and compassion.

We’re proud to be part of a program that makes a real difference.


CFA (Country Fire Authority) CFA Chief Officer Ambulance Victoria

22/04/2026

The Pentland Group of Fire Brigades are again planning to undertake roadside burning this Sunday 26th April along Nerowie Road and Glenmore Roads beween Nortons Road and Bacchus Marsh - Balliang Rd Parwan from 11:30am. Smoke will be visible and traffic control will be in place for the duration of the burn.

06/04/2026

🚨 FIRE DANGER PERIOD STILL IN FORCE 🚨

The Fire Danger Period remains in place until 1:00am, Monday 13 April.

❌ No burn-offs or open air fires without a permit
👉 Check the rules:
https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/warnings-restrictions/fire-bans-ratings-and-restrictions/can-i-or-cant-i

🏡 After 13 April – know your area

Even outside the fire danger period, restrictions apply.

❌ Burning off is NOT permitted under local laws inside the township areas of Bacchus Marsh, Darley and Maddingley without a permit, check the Moorabool Shire Council website for further information.
https://www.moorabool.vic.gov.au/Services-and-support/Local-laws/Permit-to-burn-outside-of-fire-season

⚠️ Don’t assume you can burn once the date changes.

❌ Burning household refuse, industrial, commercial/trade waste or noxious materials such as tyres is never allowed.

Check your location. Know the rules. Stay safe.

29/03/2026

Summer may be over, but the fire risk is not.

Fire Restrictions are still in place across most of the state - which means you can't burn off, weld or grind without considering the conditions and restrictions that apply.
Now is not the time to become complacent. While there has been some rain, the ground remains extremely dry.

For further information on what you can and can’t do during the Fire Danger Period, and to check the restrictions in your local area, go to www.cfa.vic.gov.au/can

23/03/2026

Update: Due to issues outside of our control, this burn has been postponed. A new date will be announced shortly.

The Pentland Group of Fire Brigades are planning to undertake roadside burning this Thursday 26th March along Nerowie Road and Glenmore Roads beween Nortons Road and Bacchus Marsh - Balliang Rd Parwan from midday.

Smoke will be visible and traffic control will be in place for the duration of the burn.

07/02/2026

Great photo of Bacchus Marsh Tanker 1 working in South Australia today thanks to Steven Schueler.

Our first crews return home tomorrow with an additional rotation of 1 Bacchus Marsh, 1 Myrniong and 1 Balliang member leaving this morning to relieve the original crew.