2021 OPENING
The DFES Education and Heritage Centre opening hours are
- Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 10am to 3pm and
- the first and third Saturday of each month from 10am to 2pm.
For all school visit enquiries, please call the Children and Youth Team on 6381 1112 or 6381 1113 or email - educationandheritage@dfes.wa.gov.au.
We look forward to seeing you at the Centre!
Overview
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) Education and Heritage Centre is located in the original Perth Central Fire Station. The building was commissioned under the authority of the Western Australian Fire Brigades Act of 1899 and was the first purpose built fire station in Western Australia.
This building of historical diversity boasts a Federation Romanesque architectural style, it was registered on the Western Australian State Register of Heritage Places in 1989.
Now refurbished, the old station characterises both past and present emergency services’ through displays dedicated to the history of Western Australian (WA) fire services and a natural hazards and disasters education gallery.
The building stands as a permanent and majestic reminder of Perth’s rich social and architectural history. In 2011, the centre earned a High Commendation (WA Heritage Awards) for outstanding heritage interpretation of a place.
Today the centre showcases a heritage trail offering a history of each room, vintage fire service appliances and exhibition space featuring the history and stories about fire brigades, hazards and emergency responses.
DFES invites visitors to explore the building’s unique heritage and learn about WA’s natural hazards.
Welcoming over 18, 000 visitors a year the centre houses a large archive of emergency services’ historic documents and photographs and a display of vintage fire appliances (engines).
The centre is open to the public and offers an interactive, interesting and fun experience for schools, tourists, families and community groups. Tours, open days, holiday activities and curriculum-linked education programs are available free of charge.
If you would like to know more about the centre access the links below. You can also join the subscription list to be updated on events, displays and other information about the centre.
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Weekend Opening Times
The Centre is open on the first and third Saturday of each month (10am to 2pm)
- Feb 20th
- March 6th and 20th
- April 17th and 18th
- May 1st and 15th
- June 5th and 19th
- July 3rd and 17th
- Aug 7th and 21st
- Sept 4th and 18th
- Oct 2nd and 16th
- Nov 6th and 20th
- Dec 4th
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Opening Times
DFES’s Education and Heritage Centre is open from 10am to 3:00pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and admission is free.
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Admission Costs
Entry is Free.
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How to Find Us
The Education and Heritage Centre is situated on the corner of Murray and Irwin Streets, Perth, near Royal Perth Hospital.
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Visitor Facilities
There is no parking available at the centre.
Public car parking is available at the City of Perth Fire Station Car Park and Pier Street.
The Centre is within walking distance of both the Perth and McIver train stations, or can be reached via the Red Cat bus (disembark from Stop 27 -Royal Perth Hospital).
There are public toilets, including disabled facilities and a baby change table in the building. There are no refreshments available at the Centre; however, there are cafes nearby.
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Special Events
Heritage Perth Weekend
The DFES Education and Heritage Centre is open during the 17 and 18 April 2021 from 10am – 3pm.
Audio Description Tactile TourTime: Saturday 17 April, 11:30am-1pm
Audio Description Tactile Tour for people who are blind or vision impaired. This tour is conducted in collaboration with the City of Perth and DADAA.
Bookings are essential. Contact Jacqueline Homer from DADAA: email:
jacqueline@dadaa.org.au or mobile: 0400 111 018.
Book Launch and Signing -
120 Years of the WA Fire ServiceTime: Sunday 18 April, 2pm
120 Years of the WA Fire Service tells the story of the development and construction of the Perth Central Fire Station, its modifications and changes as a working fire station from 1901 until 1979 and its current evolution into the DFES Education & Heritage Centre. The booklet was authored by retired firefighters Ron Harley AFSM, Phill Cribb AFSM and Bill Rose AFSM who now volunteer their time to research and conserve the DFES heritage collection.
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School Excursions to the Centre
DFES is offering two primary school aged education programs.
- Emergency Helpers in the Community and Me! (Preprimary to Year 2)
- Home Fire Safety (Year 2 to Year 7)
More information is available under School Education.
Please contact DFES School Aged Education Officers on 6381 1112 or 6381 1113 (Tuesdays or Wednesdays) or email us at educationandheritage@dfes.wa.gov.au.
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School Holidays
The Centre welcomes all casual visitors during school holidays.
However, WE DO NOT ACCEPT GROUP BOOKINGS during this time.
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Accessibility
DFES’s Education and Heritage Centre is accessible to wheelchairs.
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Awards
Awards acknowledging DFES's Education and Heritage Centre redevelopment include:
2011
High Commendation WA Heritage Awards – for outstanding heritage interpretation of a place
2010
Winner Australian Safer Community Awards (WA)
2009
High Commendation WA Architecture Awards
Awards acknowledging DFES School Aged Education Programs include:
2014
High Commendation 2014 Resilient Australia Awards - State Government Division
State Winner 2014 Resilient Australia Awards - State Government Division WA
These awards were awarded to the Department of Fire & Emergency Services in partnership with the Department of Education (WA).
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Media Coverage
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