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Guernsey’s Fire & Rescue Service (GFRS) was officially formed 100 years ago today and the service has begun to celebrate its centenary.
In 1922 the States of Guernsey took control of the Fire Brigade from St Peter Port and formally founded the GFRS.
The first fire-fighting body officially recorded in Guernsey was in 1773 and in 1834 there were three fire stations in St Peter Port. At the time they were called ‘engine houses’.
Each station had two to three ‘engines’ which were horse drawn trailers fire fighters used to transport water.
Each engine had a manual pump and leather buckets, and the fire alarm was raised by ringing the Town Church and Chapel Bells.
Pictured: Guernsey’s original horse drawn ‘carriage’.
In 1922 Guernsey’s government took over the responsibility of the island’s fire brigade as it had become too expensive for the parish of St Peter Port to run itself.
The second fire engine – nicknamed Sarnia 2 – was brough to the island in 1935. The fire station also moved at that time to the Town Arsenal, which is its present position.
The modern GFRS provides a blue light service to not only Guernsey, but Herm and Jethou too.
To mark the service’s centenary the GFRS will be hosting several events and holding a charity gala dinner.
Pictured: Sarnia 1 (left) and Sarnia 2 (right).
“100 years ago, Guernsey’s Fire Service had one vehicle and operated out of a small Fire Station on Upland Road,” said Chief Fire Officer, Jon Le Page.
“In 1935, the team moved its base to the Town Arsenal, where we have now been for more than 80 years, to accommodate its second vehicle.
“As an organisation, we have only grown since then; evolving to meet the island’s needs and to ensure we are always ready to help in the case of an emergency.”
Pictured: “I hope much of our local community will be able to get involved in our anniversary celebrations, not only to look back at what we have achieved as an organisation but also to look forward at what we will continue to do for many years to come,” said Mr Le Page.
All the proceeds raised through the GFRS’s events will be donated to the Priaulx Premature Baby Foundation, Les Bourgs Hospice, MS Guernsey and Guernsey Mind.
“I am looking forward to sharing details of the remainder of our planned celebrations as we move through our centenary year,” said Mr Le Page.
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