An emergency group crucial to summer safety celebrated its 75th birthday this week.
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The Country Fire Authority began on April 2, 1945, bringing together the Bush Fire Brigades and Country Fire Brigades.
A royal commission into the 1939 Black Friday fires had recommended a single firefighting authority for country Victoria.
The organisation now comprises more than 52,000 volunteers and 2800 career firefighters, community educators and support personnel.
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District 24, which includes Wodonga, has about 4000 volunteers spread across 60 brigades, with about half of these operational members.
CFA board chair Greg Smith said the incredible contributions made by brigades and members to their communities over the past 75 years had helped the CFA become an icon in many Victorian townships.
"When we think about the rich history of CFA, we think of the resilience, self-sacrifice and commitment shown by its members," he said.