Kearsley Fire Brigade has celebrated a major milestone, marking 100 years of service to communities across the Cessnock area and wider Hunter Valley.

Fire and Rescue NSW Acting Commissioner Michael Morris joined firefighters, dignitaries and community members at Kearsley Fire Station for the centenary celebrations.

The brigade began with four volunteer firefighters operating from a hose cart housed behind the Kearsley Hotel, before a dedicated fire station was built in 1927. The current station opened in 1990 as the brigade’s operational needs continued to grow.

Generations of local firefighters have shaped the brigade’s history.

Captain David Sneddon led Kearsley for 35 years from 1926 to 1961, with his son later serving as captain between 1971 and 1980.

Current Captain Desarae Sim became the first woman to join the brigade in 2004.

She went on to become Kearsley’s first female Deputy Captain in 2013 and, four years later, the first female Captain in the Metropolitan North area.

Over the decades, Kearsley firefighters have responded to some of the Hunter’s most significant emergencies.

These include the 1968 Cessnock bushfires, the 1994 eastern seaboard bushfires, the 2002-03 Abernethy bushfires and the Black Summer fires of 2019-20.

Crews have also responded to major flooding across the Hunter and Mid North Coast, industrial fires at Weston Aluminium and Kurri Kurri, and fires at several Hunter Valley wineries including Drayton’s Winery, Tamburlaine Organic Wines and Towers Estate.

In 2024-25 alone, Kearsley firefighters responded to 73 incidents and completed more than 100 community safety, preparedness and engagement activities.

Mr Morris said the milestone recognised generations of firefighters who had served the community.

“To operate for 100 years is a tremendous achievement and a testament to what our people mean to this region,” he said.

“This milestone recognises the dedication of every firefighter who has served Kearsley Brigade over the past century, and those who continue that proud tradition today under the leadership of Captain Sim.”

State Member for Cessnock Clayton Barr said the brigade had stood ready through bushfires, floods, industrial incidents and other emergencies.

“This centenary is a chance to say thank you, to remember those who served before us, and to commit to supporting our firies for the next hundred years and beyond,” he said.

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