Sedgwick Fire Brigade - CFA

23/08/2026

🚨 Changes to Bushfire Places of Last Resort 🚨

We’ve made two changes to local Bushfire Places of Last Resort (BPLR) for the upcoming 2026-2027 fire danger period.

Barrack Reserve picnic area will replace Holy Rosary Primary School Oval as Heathcote’s BPLR and Bendigo Showgrounds will be reinstated as a BPLR.

Bushfire Places of Last Resort (also known as Neighbourhood Safer Places) should only be used if all other plans have failed in a bushfire emergency.

They should not be considered as places to relocate to when leaving early as Emergency Services and support agencies will not be in place to provide assistance.

A BPLR should also not be confused with an Emergency Relief Centre which is activated during an emergency to provide immediate, short-term support for displaced people.

Bushfire Places of Last Resort in Greater Bendigo are located at:

• Axedale Primary School Oval
• Lansell Square Shopping Centre car park
• Queen Elizabeth Oval
• Canterbury Park car park and events area
• Bendigo Showgrounds
• Maiden Gully Primary School basketball courts
• Lord's Raceway in Junortoun
• Strathfieldsaye Community Hub - Club Court
• Dower Park in Kangaroo Flat
• Redesdale Recreation Reserve oval
• Barrack Reserve picnic area in Heathcote

If you shelter at a BPLR, you will need to bring your own food and water, protective clothing, pet food, mobile phone, radio, first aid and medications.

🔗 https://go.bendigo.vic.gov.au/changes-bushfire-places-last-resort

22/08/2026

Today, Sedgwick CFA responded to support Mandurang CFA and FRV Pumper 73B following reports of a structure fire in Mandurang South.

Both Sedgwick trucks turned out and arrived on scene quickly. Thankfully, the quick-thinking property owner was able to extinguish the fire just before crews arrived, preventing it from spreading further.

A great outcome, and many thanks to all members and crews who attended.

16/08/2026

Sunday morning truck and equipment checks were carried out at the station this morning.

While Sedgwick Tanker 1 is undergoing scheduled maintenance, the brigade is currently using a District spare tanker. This morning’s checks gave members a great opportunity to look over the spare tanker and familiarise themselves with its equipment and setup.

Regular checks and familiarisation help ensure our crews are ready when the call comes. 🚒

Great photos this morning by Xavier and Zac!

11/08/2026

🚒 Sedgwick Brigade Training Night 🔥

On Tuesday night, members of the Sedgwick Fire Brigade came together for another great training night, focusing on Motor Vehicle Accidents (MVAs) and the correct use of fire extinguishers and fire blankets.

It was a fantastic hands-on session, giving members the opportunity to practise important skills and refresh their knowledge in a range of situations we may encounter.

It was great to see so many members in attendance and getting involved throughout the evening.

A big thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the night a success!

08/07/2026

A huge shout out to our Captain, Josh, and 1st Lieutenant, Andrew, for their incredible dedication to serving our community.

Both work full-time as paramedics while also volunteering their time with the CFA, making a difference whenever they're needed. We are incredibly grateful for everything they do and proud to have them as part of our brigade.

07/06/2026

On Tuesday night, the brigade held its Annual General Meeting. Each year at the AGM, members vote on who they would like to lead and support the brigade in a range of key roles.

Following this year’s AGM, we are pleased to announce our new and returning brigade leaders:

Captain: Josh King
1st Lieutenant: Andrew Semmens
2nd Lieutenant: Quentin Cook
3rd Lieutenant: Sam Read
4th Lieutenant & Secretary: Paul Harris
Communications Officer: Ben Drechsler
Health and Safety Officer: Paul Kitch
Treasurer: Gary Moreland
Community Engagement Officer: Julian Hall

The brigade thanks and congratulates these members on their positions, and we acknowledge their continued hard work and commitment to protecting our local communities.

If you are interested in joining CFA, or have kids who love the fire brigade, we are at the station every Sunday at 9:00am checking the trucks and equipment to make sure everything is working as it should.

Feel free to drop by, say hello and meet the team — our members are always happy to have a chat. 🚒

26/05/2026

24/05/2026

🚒National Volunteer Week 🚒

As National Volunteer Week comes to an end, we want to recognise the incredible dedication of our Sedgwick CFA volunteers.

From training nights to callouts, your commitment keeps our community safer and stronger.

Thank you for showing up, stepping in, and standing together. We’re proud of every one of you.

24/05/2026

Friday night the Sedgwick Fire Brigade held its annual awards night, with many members, family, friends and supporters in attendance. It was a fantastic evening celebrating the dedication, commitment and achievements of our brigade members and the wider community who continue to support us.

This year’s awards night held special significance for the brigade, with former Captain Brendan Drechsler posthumously awarded the Outstanding Service Medal (OSM) — the CFA’s highest and most prestigious honour.

The OSM recognises exceptional service and dedication to CFA and is awarded to only a very small number of members across the state.

Brendan dedicated more than 50 years of service to CFA and the Sedgwick community, leading with passion, integrity and an unwavering commitment to protecting others. His contribution to the brigade, the wider CFA family and the local community will never be forgotten.

The award was proudly presented by Assistant Chief Fire Officer Bryan Suckling and Deputy Chief Officer Trevor Weston and accepted on Brendan’s behalf by his wife Pam, and sons Ben and Sam.

The evening also included a number of brigade service awards recognising the dedication and commitment of our members:

• Firefighter Brian Rosewall — 50 Years’ Service Medal
• Firefighter Geoff McNaulty — 20 Years’ Service Medal
• Firefighter Allan Monti — National Medal 1st Clasp
• 2nd Lieutenant Quentin Cook — 15 Years’ Service Medal
• Firefighter Pete Grant — 10 Years’ Service Medal

The brigade also proudly presented appreciation awards to several local individuals and organisations who have continued to support the brigade and contribute to its growth over many years, including:

• Bendigo Lions Club
• Strathfieldsaye Lions Club
• Mandurang Valley Events
• Leigh Waddington
• Brenda and Halvard Dalheim

Their ongoing support has been invaluable to the brigade and our community, and we sincerely thank them for their generosity and continued commitment.

It was a wonderful night enjoyed by all, and the brigade would like to sincerely thank everyone who attended and helped make the evening so special.

02/05/2026

Today, Sedgwick, alongside crews from Mandurang Fire Brigade - CFA and Axe Creek Fire Brigade, responded to a tree fire that had begun spreading to nearby grass and scrub.

Sedgwick crews quickly turned out both tankers and were on scene promptly, working to stop the spread and bring the fire under control.

Access to the paddock was limited, preventing our larger Tanker 1 from entering. However, thanks to our smaller, community-funded Tanker 2, we were able to gain quick access and effectively attack the fire.
It’s times like these that we greatly appreciate the ongoing support from our community.

Crews then got to work with rakehoes, digging up burnt ground and leaf litter to ensure the fire was fully extinguished and would not reignite.

A massive thank you to everyone who assisted today.

🔥 Reminder: Even as the weather cools, there is still the risk of fire. Please remain vigilant.