These photographs along with some record books have been catalogued and deposited with the "Public Records Office of Northern Ireland" by the Society Archivist Harry Welsh. A file No.D/4247. entitled "History of Fire Brigades in Northern Ireland" has been opened for all N.Ireland fire brigade records, and may be viewed at the "PRONI" premises, Balmoral Ave. Belfast. Some towns in Northern Ireland such as Belfast, Enniskillen and Newry had large army garrisons which, because of the volatile nature of their arsenal supplies had their own Army Fire Brigades complete with fire engines. On many occasions, newspaper reports and council minutes record, that during large conflagrations the Army Brigade often assisted the town brigades with manpower and equipment.
Separate Town and City Brigades continued to function independantly throughout Northern Ireland until all were Nationalised on The National Fire Service was wound up on 31st December 1947, and from 1st January 1948 the Fire Services in Northern Ireland were administered by four seperate Fire Authorities established under the Fire Services Act (Northern Ireland) 1947.
On 1st January 1950 Northern, Western and Southern Fire Authorities were almagamated to form the Northern Ireland Fire Authority.
Over a period of time the Historical Society have built up a collection of photographs from various sources.
Also.
Anyone wishing to deposit fire records directly with the PRONI for inclusion into this file may do so.
Although Belfast was possibly the largest established brigade in Northern Ireland, other very well organised town brigades existed including Londonderry, Newry, Portadown, Carrickfergus, Armagh and Ballymena. Smaller council brigades were to be found in Lisburn, Banbridge, Warrenpoint, Portrush, Larne, Antrim, Enniskillen and Bangor.
The Newry personnel with their motor fire engine outside the fire station 1939.
Carrickfergus horse pulled manual fire engine and personnel outside their fire station 1903.
Ballymena steam fire engine and horse drawn manual engine along with their fire crews. 1908.
Two of Londonderry's motorised fire engines and a Fire Brigade Ambulance along with their crews. c1920.
Bangor Urban District Council Fire Brigade crew with their hand pulled cart and apparatus. 1905.
Portadown fire crew under the watchful eye of CFO Shillington in the process of hose and ladder drill.
c1900.
1st March 1942 under the provisions of the Fire Services (Emergency Provisons) Act (Northern Ireland) 1942.
Northern - Western - Southern - and - Belfast.
And
On 1st October 1973 the Northern Ireland Fire Authority and the Belfast Fire Brigade amalgamated into one brigade presently known as:-
"The Northern Ireland Fire Brigade"
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