Welcome to the Isle of Wight Fire Brigades Federation


The IWFBF was created on 31 March 1894 by Captain Charles Langdon of Ryde Fire Brigade.

Today the Federation is revived with charitable aims and to maintain awareness of our Island's rich and varied firefighting heritage.


In addition to being the focal point for the Island's borough, town and parish fire brigades for over five decades, the Federation also raised funds for what was then known as the Widows and Orphans Fund.

Today the revived IWFBF continues with that ethos, the beneficiary being the Firefighters Charity. Profits from the sale of IWFBF books and proceeds taken at IWFBF public speaking events and presentations are forwarded to the Charity without deduction.

This IWFBF website supports and adds to the work done in public presentations and publications. I hope you enjoy the website - if you do, and can, please drop a small donation into the Firefighters Charity donation page. Every penny will be wisely used and much appreciated.

For those looking for information about current Isle of Wight firefighting, please go to the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service website or Facebook page.

Although I remain in service with HIWFRS, this website has no formal links or connection to the fire service of today or my role within it and any views expressed in this website are mine alone. Neither do I have any connection to the Fire Brigade Museum that has stated an aspiration to establish premises on the Isle of Wight, although I wish them well with their project and will be one of the first in the queue to visit when it opens.

Thank you

Damon Corr


The photograph at the top of the page features officers and men of Isle of Wight and mainland fire brigades that attended the annual camp and drill competition hosted by the Isle of Wight Fire Brigades Federation and the Southern District of the National Fire Brigades Union at Simeon Street Recreation Ground, Ryde, 25-27 April 1903. Inset to the bottom left corner of the photo is the original IWFBF badge, extracted from certificates issued by the Federation.