In 1894 Captain Charles Langdon of Ryde Fire Station established the Isle of Wight Fire Brigades Federation (IWFBF). Later the same year the first fire brigade drill competition was held at Simeon Street Recreation Ground.

From then on all drill competitions that were held aimed to raise funds for the firemen's Widows and Orphans Fund, a forerunner of today's Firefighters Charity. Although drill competitions ceased in the modern age due to health and safety concerns, through the IWFBF we continue to promote an interest in the Island's firefighting heritage and raise funds for the Firefighters Charity who are there for all of us and our families should we be in the unfortunate position to need them.

Thank you for supporting the IWFBF cause.