1980

At the Brigades Annual General Meeting held on the 9th June the Fire Control Officer, Mr. Brian Parry congratulated the Brigade’s efforts for the year 1979 - 1980 with their hazard reduction program. Engadine has probably been more involved in this field over a period pf years than any other brigade in the shire.

From the 9th September until the 13th October the Brigade attended 24 fire calls and in November attended a large fire at Waterfall where tragically five members of the Headquarters Brigade at Heathcote lost their lives.

At  Engadine’s monthly meeting, the Captain reminded members of their responsibilities to their families and to exercise extreme care when on the fire ground, as no one in this Shire believed that this type of tragedy could happen.

1981

Mid year the brigade was presented with an Australian flag by the federal member for Hughes Mr. Les Johnson MHR.

The Brigade spent 5,070 man hours during the 1980-1981 fire season with the longest fire being 1,549 hours.

Long service awards were presented to: G.Smith, H.Wilson -25 years.   C.Carmody, E.Dries, J.Longhurst, C.Bloomfield and W.Gillam  - 15 years.

1982

A precedent was set by the brigade following the tragic deaths of three Heathcote fire fighters  during the Gray’s Point fires, that in the event of two or more members of one family turning out to a fire, (hazard reductions excepted ) Only one member of that family to go out on the tanker.

The fire burning in the Temptation Creek area and Gray’s Point burned for five days.

1983

A replacement Toyota crew carrier arrived replacing the brigades aging Landrover.

The brigade received a number of “bluey type fire jackets” donated by the Engadine Bowling and Engadine RSL clubs. These jackets were the latest type manufactured from “Parramatta” wool which was processed to remove the lanolin from the wool making them more fire resistant.

1984

New coat of paint was applied to the fire station to spruce it up.

The brigade attended 22 callouts for the months of  October and November.

1985

During the year the Brigade members and families attended a gala / gymkhana for the Shire and visiting Brigade’s. This event was held at Waratah Park, Sutherland and the day was a huge success. The brigade was congratulated for the input by the Brigade’s committee that advised and assisted in the running of the events.

During the later part of the year, the FCO informed the ladies auxiliary of the brigade  “that all victualling would be done by the Fire Control Center at Heathcote.” This notification was for all Brigades as well and caused a great deal of concern amongst the auxiliaries.

1986

Ray Watchorn, ex-FCO and Hon. Life Member of the brigade was nominated by the Brigade for Senior Citizen of the year. Ray’s nomination was accepted, much to the pleasure of the Brigade and both he and wife Dot attended a special Premier’s Luncheon and awards ceremony.

The Sutherland Shire Bush Fire Advisory Committee was disbanded and in place anew policy and procedures committee was formed.

1987

The yellow balaclava type fire protection hoods issued to all firefighters, have been banned by the NSW Bush Fire Council.

A new Shire Constitution introduced for Brigades to peruse for acceptance. This was accepted and operating.

The Brigade attended out of area fires at Cootamundra and Bredbo.

Harold Wilson Made Life Member of the Brigade.

New type vehicle log books have been issued for all vehicles so as to record mileage, usage and running costs.

1988

During the year a large fire in the Royal National Park burned for four days. A (41F) was declared during this fire which was in the Curramoors area through to Bundeena.

1989

On the 16th January the Brigade along with other Shire brigades attended the funeral parade through Sutherland and later the ceremony at Sutherland Crematorium of the shires loved  ex-FCO Ray Watchorn.

Ray, or “Watchy” as he was known, was the shires first appointed and paid Fire Control Officer. He is an Honoury Life Member of the Brigade and also the first recipient of the Queen’s Fires Service Medal. (Q.F.S.M)

Ray was also instrumental in the design of the bush fire logo of the “Burning Bush” emblem now used by the NSW Rural Fire Service.

The Brigade’s new fire tanker 1371 has now been delivered to the station with testing to be done on the 22nd January.

A visit by the USA’s “Smokey the Bear” to Australia was met by one of the Engadine Brigade vehicle’s at Mascot airport.

The next day, Col Bloomfield and Kevin Dimmock of Engadine Brigade helped transport “Smokey” to the Far West Children’s home for a “Teddy Bears” picnic.