Kelso-Bathurst hotting up for the Firefighter Championships
Published: 6th March 2006
Bathurst and Kelso are gearing up to welcome more than 120 firefighters to town on 4 and 5 March. Teams of firefighters are coming from all over NSW to compete in the first event of the 2006 Firefighter Championships season.
"Kelso are the reigning National Firefighter Champions, long held records and local pride will be on the line as we battle to retain the title," Kelso Team Captain Ray Dresser said.
Firefighter Championships are designed to educate the community about firefighting history and fire safety. The kitchen fat fire simulator, children's puppet show and other community safety initiatives will be on show.
All events, demonstrations and activities are free of charge. If you are in the area please bring your family along to support the teams.
Date and Time: 11:00 Opening Ceremony 4 March
08:00 – 16:00 Competition 4 March
08:00 – 13:00 Competition 5 March
Location: Learmonth Park Kelso (off Gilmore Street)
Berry's best relight the Championship Flame
Berry Fire Station has reformed a team to compete in this weekend's Firefighter Championships for the first time since 1972.
Berry's team captain Rick Guinery has enlisted one of NSW's top Championships competitors, Chris Ison, as coach for their initial foray into competition in Bathurst this weekend. Chris has been competing for Nowra Fire Station's team (currently ranked third nationally) since 1989.
With a championships history going back to 1901 Rick Guinery, Ian Johnson, Mick Lett, Ross Goodger and Luke Bramley who make up the Berry team know that previous champions will be watching over them and willing the team on. Berry's current Brigade Captain Jim Abbott has been keeping all the old firies up to date with preparations.
"The Barrett brothers who joined the Brigades in the 1960's were part of Berry's last competition team, they are over the moon that Berry is having a go," said Captain Abbott.
"I am always keen to see South Coast Brigades getting out and testing themselves against the best, it breeds better firefighters for our local communities," South 5 Zone Commander Wayne Roberts said.