In 1878 the United Fire Brigades’ of New Zealand was founded in Christchurch. Delegates from nine brigades met in the Library of the Lichfield Street Fire Station with the prime purpose of establishing an organisation to enable discussion on matters of mutual interest and to form a better means of liaison between volunteer brigades. The foundation member brigades were Christchurch, Dunedin, Mornington, Rangiora, Port Chalmers, Waimate, Lyttleton, Timaru and Christchurch Fire Police.

Also that year the first telescopic fire escape ladder (49ft) was imported by Dunedin Brigade. First use of ‘jumping sheets’ recorded.