Six junior CFA brigades gathered yesterday in Greendale to vie for the annual Midlands Junior Cup, a day for the 11 to 15-year-olds to demonstrate their skills across events including burn-over drills, search and rescue and running edge fire attack.
Across the board judges were blown away by the quality and calibre of the competition.
This year, the cup was taken out by the Gordon Fire Brigade Juniors, who edged out members from Ballan, Coimadai, Elaine, Greendale and Truganina.
Gordon firefighter and Junior brigade leader Diane Lawson said the Midlands Cup was a day when skills were put into practice, and new skills were learned.
“It’s about meeting other Junior Brigade members from the area and having fun,” she said.
"A huge congratulations should go to all junior members who attended and thank you to their leaders and fellow brigade members, parents who had driven their children to the event.
“Thank you also to the judges for giving up their Sunday to take part in such a great training day,” Diane said.
Competitive events included Search and Rescue, first aid, communications, map reading, hydrant knowledge, gas fog step-up, burn-over drill, running edge fire attack, pumping knowledge, drafting and knowledge and use of fire extinguishers.
Diane said several judges had come back to comment specifically on how impressed they were with the skills displayed by the junior members. One judge, a CFA member who works full time for the ambulance service, said the yong competitor's actions were no differnet to what he would have done himself if waiting for an ambulance in the same situation.
Junior Brigades consist of members aged between 11 and 15 who meet and train together yesterday. To read more about CFA junior programs, visit http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/volunteer-careers/junior-volunteers/
Photos courtesy of Coimadai Fire Brigade
Author: CFA News