Thirty teams will battle it out in the Australasian Firefighters Championship, which will be held in Echuca next week.
For the first time, the championship will be conducted on bitumen instead of a grass track, and will be held at Victoria Park on 23-25 October.
The event received significant interest from teams across Australasia, including teams from New Zealand and Fiji.
Having hosted the Victorian State Senior Championships three times and the Junior Championships four times, Echuca Fire Brigade is well prepared.
Echuca Fire Brigade Secretary Ron Hooper, who is part of the organising committee, said the town was proud to host the championship.
“This is an opportunity for us to show off our town and facilities to fellow firefighters and we are excited about the new opportunities it will bring to Echuca,” he said.
“The championship aims to build team spirit, develop individual and team skills and promote camaraderie among brigades, volunteers and their families.”
“The ability to connect and reacquaint with firefighters from not only around Australia, but also New Zealand and Fiji provides the opportunity to share knowledge and skills that will assist us in responding to the ever-changing needs and diversity of our community.”
Eight CFA teams have successfully qualified for the championship.
Echuca Fire Brigade Captain Mark Hooper said the Echuca running team has been competing since 2009.
Their team of six has been training hard and have trialled all exercises with the proper equipment.
“As a great supporter of the competition, we’re very excited to have the opportunity to host the championship in our home town and show off our facilities.”
The Australasian Firefighters Championship formed in 2009 after the biennial National Championships were rebranded and hosted by New Zealand.
The championship is governed by a national committee, which has two representatives from each public fire agency and related associations across Australia. Since the first re-branded championship in New Zealand, the event has also been hosted by NSW and Tasmania.
Participating Teams:
Victoria
Echuca
Euroa
Geelong West
Melton
Ocean Grove
Pyramid Hill
Swan Hill
Werribee
NSW
Kelso
Dorrigo
Tamworth
Wyong
Bega
Mudgee
Nowra
Port Macquarie
Tenterfield
Tasmania
Devonport
Kingston
New Norfolk
South Australia
Waikerie
Northern Territory
NTFRS 1
NTFRS 2
MFB
MFB 1
NSW RFS
Kootingal/Moonbi
ACT RFS
Molonglo
New Zealand
Darfield/Morrinsville
Greymouth
Silverdale
Fiji
National Fire Authority
Author: CFA Media