12/08/2026
Today marks an important milestone in the history of the South Australian Country Fire Service (CFS).
On 12 August 1976, the legislation that would become the Country Fires Act 1976 was introduced into South Australian Parliament. Later that year, on 23 December, the Act received Royal Assent, formally establishing the CFS.
While we are marking 50 years since the legislation that established the CFS, our history goes back much further. Generations of volunteers and brigades served their communities before the CFS was formed, and that spirit of service continues today.
Much has changed over those 50 years, from our trucks and equipment to the way we train, communicate and respond to incidents. What has remained constant is the commitment of CFS members to protecting their communities and supporting one another.
Over the next five months, CFS will be sharing stories from across our history and looking at how the CFS has changed over the past 50 years. We’ll revisit our training, equipment, publications and major milestones, and most importantly, recognise the people who have shaped our organisation.
CFS have created a dedicated CFS 50th anniversary page, which will continue to grow between now and December as we add historical photos, videos, publications and stories from across the state.
https://www.cfs.sa.gov.au/home/50th-anniversary/
