The Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) Firefighter Championships at Kelso, in the state’s Bathurst region, have come to a close, following a weekend of intense competition and skills development.
The second regional heats of the 2024 Firefighter Championships proved to be full of comraderie, community spirit and teamwork.
Top of the leaderboard
Defending champions, 'Wyong A', once again shot to the top of the leaderboard, just ahead of Rural Fire Service (RFS) Kootingal and Country Fire Authority (CFA) Echuca (Victoria) team, which came in second and third place respectively.
The championships, held over two days of competition, put teams through their paces in disciplines relating to hose and hydrant deployment and extinguishment, ladder practice, rescue and booster valve.
Firefighting teams
Additional firefighting teams will compete in the State Firefighting Championship at Wagga Wagga in October
Additional firefighting teams will compete in the State Firefighting Championship at Wagga Wagga in October. FRNSW Assistant Commissioner-Regional Operations and Championship Director, Cheryl Steer, said the atmosphere at the Kelso event was electric.
"The Firefighter Championships is always a wonderful event, but there was something special about Kelso," said Assistant Commissioner - Cheryl Steer, adding "Not only did we have the highest number of competing teams since Covid (22)."
Additional knowledge and skills
Cheryl Steer continues: "We also had an all-female team, a guest appearance from retiring 60-year veteran, Peter Ryan, who celebrated the 50th anniversary of his first championships in 1974, as well as some stirring performances from the FRNSW Band."
Cheryl Steer further states, "I send my congratulations to the winners from Wyong FRNSW, as well as to all of the other teams. The teamwork, friendship and support on display was wonderful to witness… that’s what the Championships are all about. I’m confident that each competitor will take home additional knowledge and skills that will in turn serve their communities."
