Follow the links above to view the collection of either 'Australasian Patches' or

'Overseas Patches'. To return to this page, simply use the 'Up' button on the link-bar.

If you have any NT Fire Brigade or NT Fire Service insignia, please contact us,

as we would dearly love to add it to our collection.

Contact us by email at NOSPAMlouc55@bigpond.net.au - just remove the 'NOSPAM' first!

Northern Territory Fire Brigade

This was the first cap badge to be issued by the Northern Territory Fire Brigade.  The badge was topped with an Imperial (Tudor) Crown. In 1953, after the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, regal insignia changed to the St Edwards Crown. This was of similar shape but had a pronounced 'dip' in the centre at the top.  Compare the crown on this NTFB badge with that of the New Zealand Fire Service below as an example of the St Edwards Crown. This cap badge was still in use in 1978.

Badge size: 68mm high x 45mm wide

Northern Territory Fire Brigade

On 1 January 1977 the Northern Territory Fire Brigade was placed under the control of the Ministry for Transport and Industry, and a new cap badge was issued, with a similarity in design to the earlier badge. The words "NT Fire Brigade" are contained within three banner scrolls across the face. The background is of very dark blue enamel, while the crown is in-filled with red. The white shape between the scrolls forming the centre-piece of the badge possibly represents a "flaming grenade", and may be military in origin.

Badge size: 69mm high by 48mm wide.

Northern Territory Fire Brigade

On achieving self government on 1 July 1978 the Northern Territory Fire Brigade, under the control of the Ministry of Transport, issued a completely redesigned cap badge. The badge took the shape of an all-silver eight-pointed star representing the Maltese Cross, and depicted a soaring eagle across the centre of the badge.

Badge size: 50mm high by 50mm wide.

Northern Territory Fire Brigade

The plain silver cap badge was hand-painted in red, white and blue enamel by one of the firefighters of the time, and became very popular. The badge shown on the left was one of the hand-painted ones.

Badge size: 50mm high by 50mm wide.

Northern Territory Fire Brigade

After accepting that the hand-painted cap badges were much more attractive, the NT Fire Brigade arranged to have future badges manufactured in red, white and blue enamel on the silver base. The badge shown on the left was one of the badges coloured in enamel by the manufacturer. The eight-pointed cap badge was current until 1981.

Badge size: 50mm high by 50mm wide.

Northern Territory Fire Brigade

Chief Fire Officer Peter Holtham introduced a new cap badge to Cadet members of the Fire Brigade in 1978-79. This cap badge was known by the firemen as an "onion" due to its shape. The badge could have similar origins to the "squid" shape in the centre of the second badge pictured above, which was also issued in CFO Holtham's time. The shape suggests a military origin, as it is almost identical to the "exploding bomb" badge of the British Grenadiers.

The image on the left came from the Annual Reports compiled at that time by CFO Holtham.

I am missing this badge from my collection, and would truly value being able to obtain one.

Northern Territory Fire Service

After a review of the NT Fire Brigade in 1979-1980, a change in name was made from 'NT Fire Brigade' to 'NT Fire Service'. A Director of Fire Services (Bill Henderson) was appointed in 1981, and a new cap badge was issued. This was based on Sturt's Desert Rose, the floral emblem of the Northern Territory. A re-shaped eagle, now depicted as a phoenix, can be seen arising from a background of flames at the centrepiece of the Desert Rose. This badge remained current until 1991.

Northern Territory Fire Service

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the NT Fire Service in 1991, a new curved cap badge was issued. This badge included a flaming torch between two crossed axes and also incorporated the tri-service (Police, Fire and Emergency Services) logo "To Serve and Protect". The Desert Rose with the phoenix of the previous badge was retained as the centrepiece. This badge was current until 1994.

The torch and axes are very similar to the cap badge of the Melbourne Metropolitan Fire Brigade, which is quite fitting as the MFB was instrumental in helping to shape the NT Fire Service

Badge size: 75mm high by 58mm wide.

Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Service

The  Northern Territory Fire Service became the Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Service in 1994, and a new cap badge was issued. The badge was flat instead of curved, and the name 'Northern Territory Fire Service' around the inner circle was replaced with 'Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Service'. This is the current cap badge.

Badge size: 75mm high by 58mm wide.

Insignia of the Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Service

The Northern Territory Fire Service, and later the Fire and Rescue Service, utilises as a focal point on their insignia the official Northern Territory floral emblem, Sturt's Desert Rose. The Desert Rose is a small bushy plant, growing to a height of one and a half metres, in it’s natural environment. It has dark green, round to oval shaped leaves. The petals of the flowers are mauve with a deep red marking at the base, the flowers being similar to those of the Hibiscus, which belongs to the same family.

The Desert Rose is an arid zone plant which grows in dry regions on stony or rocky, sloping ground or in dry creek beds. It is found in the southern part of the Northern Territory, where residents of Alice Springs often cultivate it as a garden shrub. It is also found in parts of South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland.

The stylised Desert Rose as the Northern Territory floral emblem has an additional two petals to the normally five-petalled flower, that symbolises all six Australian states and the Northern Territory.

Northern Territory Emergency Service

New South Wales

Fire Brigades

Queensland Fire and Rescue Authority

(QLD, Australia)

Northern Territory Fire Service

(NT, Australia)

Northern Territory Fire Service

(NT, Australia)

Fire Brigades

(NSW, Australia)

Rural Fire Service

(NSW, Australia)

Fire Brigade Melbourne

(Victoria, Australia)

Fire Service

(SA, Australia)

Country Fire Authority Officer's Association

(Vic, Australia)

Airport Rescue Fire Fighting (Australia)

Epaulette Badge

(Vic, Australia)