2008 NSWFB State Firefighter Championships just five days away
Published: 13th October 2008
With just five days to go until the 2008 NSW Fire Brigades (NSWFB) State Firefighter Championships commence in Tamworth, NSWFB Commissioner Greg Mullins today wished competing teams the best of luck for the week-long competition."On behalf of the NSWFB and the Firefighter Championships Association I wish all of the firefighters competing in this year's State Championships all the best.
"This competition is a chance for NSWFB retained, or part-time, firefighters to test their skills against their colleagues from around the state, interstate and overseas, and an opportunity for the community to see first hand just how firefighters respond to emergencies."
Over six days, 42 teams of firefighters will compete in 16 events which have been designed to reflect the skills and expertise modern firefighters use every day, including the Ladder Practice and the Rescue event.
The 2006 State Champions, Casino Fire Brigade, will be out to retain their title but the team from Nowra will be hard to beat after securing three of the four regional Championship titles in 2008.
Commissioner Mullins said he was looking forward to heading to Tamworth for the State Championships.
"This is a great opportunity for firefighters to build relationships between brigades and fire services, for the community to familiarise themselves with the work that firefighters do and to pick up vital fire safety information.
"Throughout the week, spectators at the Championships will be able to visit a number of educational displays and talk to firefighters about how to prevent and prepare for fire and other emergencies," Commissioner Mullins said.
During the event, hundreds of Kindergarten and Year 1 students from schools in Tamworth and the surrounding areas will take part in the NSWFB's Fire ED program, while high school students will take part in the RescuED program. The NSWFB's Community Education and Development Unit will also be demonstrating the dangers of kitchen fires with the Kitchen Fat Fire Simulator.
Commissioner Mullins thanked the City of Tamworth for their support of the Championships so far.
"It is great to be able to hold the Championships in towns and cities in regional NSW and I hope to see plenty of spectators out supporting the firefighters throughout the competition."
Residents of Tamworth and the surrounding communities are invited to attend the spectacular Torchlight Procession on Saturday night where more than 200 firefighters will march through the streets of Tamworth carrying torches. This will be followed by the Fire Spectacular which includes mock firefighting demonstrations and fireworks display.
For further information and event program, click here.