2008 NSWFB State Firefighter Championships
Published: 19th October 2008
The 2008 NSWFB State Firefighter Championships is well underway in Tamworth.
On Saturday 18 October, the NSWFB Band and Precision Drill Marching Team entertained the local community at the Tamworth Regional Council Chambers and local retained firefighters where on hand to educate residents about fire safety.
In the evening, more than 250 firefighters marched in the Torchlight Procession, gathering at the No.1 Oval in Kable Avenue for the Fire Spectacular. Local firefighters demonstrated a range of fire fighting skills including rescue techniques and demonstrated the dangers of kitchen fires with the kitchen fat fire simulator. Firefighters demonstrated how they work together to extinguish a fire using a gas prop. Local residents were then treated to a fantastic fireworks display.
Sunday 19 October saw the official start to proceedings, with the Championships officially opened by Parliamentary Secretary for Emergency Services, Phil Koperberg. Firefighters were led onto the parade ground by the NSWFB Band and Precision Drill Marching Team, assembling for both the official opening and the first event of the competition - the Discipline Event.
Students from Tamworth South Public School sang the Australian National Anthem and had learnt both the Maori and English versions of the New Zealand National Anthem, which they performed in honour of the competitors from New Zealand. Three trainee pilots from the British Aerospace Academy Training School conducted a fly over of the competition ground, much to the excitement of children, spectators and competitors alike.
NSWFB Commissioner Greg Mullins inspected the parade along with Mr Koperberg, Mr Tony Windsor, Independent for New England, Mr Peter Draper, Independent Member for Tamworth, Assistant Commissioner Graham Dewsnap and Deputy Captain Ken Perrett, President of the NSWFB Firefighter Championships Association.
Commissioner Mullins paid particular tribute to Captain Gerry Cannon from 452 Tamworth, who has attended every NSWFB Firefighters Championships for the past 51 years.
Day 1 Results
Event 1: Discipline
1st: Lakes Entrance, Victoria
2nd: 424 Port Macquarie
3rd: Echuca, Victoria
Event 2: Ladder Practice
1st: RetF Brad Kane, 392 Muswellbrook
2nd: RetF Mark Waters, 383 Morisset
3rd: RetF Craig Mayled, 257 Coffs Harbour
Event 3: Urban pumper collector and ladder – 4 competitors
1st: 302 Glen Innes
2nd: 307 South Grafton
3rd: 257 Coffs Harbour