1945 - Long Service

Start 10 July 1945

Thirty nine years again, when the Devonport fire station was merely a shed housing  hand-drawn reels two men joined the Devonport Volunteer fire Brigade.  One, Mr H.E. Follas, rose to the post of superintendent; the other, Mr S. Stevens. became deputy-superintendent.

Tonight the two men will be guest of honour at the brigade's annual smoke concert, for both retired on March 31.  Another guest of honour will be Foreman W. Colley, who retired at the same time after 37 years of service. Presentation will be made to all three.

Mr Follas is a former president of the United Fire Brogades Association, the Auckland Districct Fire Association, and the Assurance Society of Fire Brigades.

Fires in Devonport's history were recalled today by the three men.  The most dangerous they said, was that which occured at the gas works a few years ago.

"If ther fire had spread to the gasometer, nothing would habe been left standing within a radius of three-quarters of a mile." said Mr Follas.

The worst fire, they said, occurred in Calliope Road when three houses were on fire at the same time.  A gale was blowing at the time and, if it had not been for the prompt action of the brigade the fire would have spread as far as Cheltenham Beach.

The three men retired the night before the brigade became part of the North Shore Fire Board, which has the homes and businesses of 35,000 people in four boroughs under its surveiliance.

When they joined, there werre only 8000 people living in Devonport, compared with a population of 15,000 today.

Former members of the Devonport volunteer fire brigade.

From left; Ex-Deputy Superintendent S. Stevens, ex-Superintendent H.E Follas, and ex-Foreman W. Colley.