Marburg Group

As the sole local policeman was responsible for cutting trapped persons from smashed vehicles, he desperately needed the assistance of trained volunteers to assist him along the busy roads in the Marburg area. He requested that a State Emergency Service group be started.

The Marburg Group was set up to assist the local community of Marburg township in 1978 and most of the local citizens attended and signed up as members at the first meeting. Meetings were held at the Community Centre, the Court House and a local hotel until 1980 when the Moreton Shire Council provided an old railway fettlers hut and the ground where the present building is located. As this building was condemned, in 1987 the Moreton Shire Council built a new building.  The local members fundraised and used volunteer labour to build rooms and furnish the inside of the headquarters.  

Fundraising by the volunteers purchased a second-hand 1964 International in 1980, and an additional vehicle (Ford Transit almost as old) in 1984. In 1992 the group purchased a brand new Toyota Hilux dual cab 4x4 ute. Three years later, this Hilux was sold and a new Toyota Troop Carrier was bought. The Ipswich City Council has since replaced this Troop Carrier.

Although the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service has taken over the role of cutting at traffic accidents, the Marburg State Emergency Service group is still involved locally in storm damage, flooding, landslip, lighting of traffic accident and other scenes, searches and community projects.

The members train once a week at this depot, and fund raise locally to buy extra equipment thus ensuring that the local community has a continuing interest in the group. Current membership is 18 active and 12 reserves.

Apart from their local involvement, the Marburg SES group also assists with any problems anywhere else in the City of Ipswich as required.