Tamworth to host the 2012 Firefighter State Championships
Published: 24th August 2012
Tamworth and West Tamworth Fire Stations will host the 2012 Fire & Rescue NSW (FRNSW) Firefighter State Championships from 16-18 October, FRNSW Director of Regional Operations Rob McNeil announced today.
More than 200 firefighters will descend upon Tamworth for the 2012 State Championships to put their skills to the test.
Assistant Commissioner McNeil said the championships took place every two years.
“The Firefighter Championships benefits firefighters and the community alike. For firefighters, it is a chance to enhance and showcase the skills they use on a daily basis and compete against colleagues from around the state, interstate and overseas,” he said.
“For the community it’s a chance to see firefighters in action and to familiarise themselves with measures they can take to protect their homes and families from the threat of fire and other emergencies.
“FRNSW is more than just a fire service. Firefighters are trained to conduct rescues, protect the community from incidents involving hazardous materials, support the NSW Rural Fire Service throughout the summer fire season, and to provide assistance to those affected by natural disasters like storms and floods.
“Firefighters will compete in 16 events that test their skills in all of these areas, which reflects modern firefighting techniques and the diversity of their role in the community,” he said.
The majority of the firefighters competing in the bi-annual event are retained, or on call firefighters, which means that they are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“Retained firefighters can be called out from work or home at any time of the day or night. The dedication and commitment of these men and women is vital to ensuring the safety ensuring the safety of hundreds of regional communities,” Assistant Commissioner McNeil said.
Tamworth State MP, Kevin Anderson said he was looking forward to the State Firefighter Championships.
“This is a great event, which I’m happy to support. I look forward to welcoming firefighters from across the state to Tamworth,” he said.
Tamworth has hosted the State Championships on three previous occasions, most recently in 2008, the modern series Firefighter Championships started in 1932.