The brigade of 20 volunteers, 12 active and eight non-active, marked the occasion with members of the community recently by holding an annual awareness night.

"We are the community in a way," the brigade's captain Geoff Sumner said.

"We are locals and we invite residents to talks where we teach them how to set up their homes to be safe during fire season, teach them when to stay and when to leave, and about permits for fire hazard reduction."

While the brigade does not attend a great deal of local fires, Mr Sumner said volunteers were kept busy assisting other Port brigades and as far away as Sydney.

The brigade recently updated its headquarters, adding new walls, windows and an airconditioned meeting room. The works were made possible using community donations and grants from Port Stephens Council.