The Geelong West Fire Brigade officially began on August 12th 1875, a substation of the Geelong City Brigade. It was originally known as the Ashby Branch Station, and was a galvanized iron and wooden reel house in Pakington Street, Geelong West. Local MLA Mr. John Donaghy provided the original site and the local community raised the funds to build and equip the Station.  The Country Fire Brigades Board was formed in 1891, 16 years after the original Geelong West Station was built, and 37 years after the Geelong Fire Brigade was established. The Ashby Branch Station did not become a separate station until a permanent building in Yuille Street was built in 1887. The Brigade moved to 95 Autumn Street site in 1919 and remained there for 89 years. In August 2008 the Brigade packed up and made the move to a newly built station in McCurdy Road, Herne Hill.

The Geelong West Fire Brigade was a fully volunteer Brigade until 1958 when the CFA appointed career staff to Geelong West. In December 1989 the Brigade converted back to a fully volunteer station with a volunteer Captain once again leading the Brigade. The Geelong West career staff were moved to Belmont Fire Brigade. The West Brigade became the first ever Brigade to convert back to a fully volunteer Brigade.
 

The Brigade has had many highlights over the years including 1888 when the Brigade won the Sydney Centennial Fire Brigades Demonstrations. There are two shields and subsequent trophies on display at the Station. The winning team was met at the train station by a band, the Mayor and large crowds and were given a Civic reception.
 

In more recent Brigade history, the Geelong West Fire Brigade suffered the tragic loss of five of its members on 2nd December 1998 at Linton, near Ballarat. Brigade Members Garry Vredeveldt, Chris Evans, Stuart Davidson, Jason Thomas and Matthew Armstrong were part of a strike team sent to put out wild fires. They died when their truck was engulfed by flames after a sudden wind change.