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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Opening Times
DFES’s Education and Heritage Centre is open from 10am to 3:00pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and admission is free.
The Centre is closed on Public Holidays. Please check the opening times for Christmas school holidays, as the Centre closes for several weeks at this time.
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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
The Centre runs a variety of special events throughout the year. These include Perth Heritage Day (one Sunday in October) as well as Firefighter talks at the Centre. Please contact us for further information on the dates and times of these events.
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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 9395 9866 or 9395 9767 (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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