Firefighters head to Tumut to test their skills against the best in the state

Firefighters are heading to Tumut to compete in the NSW Regional Firefighting Championships. Photo: Supplied.

Firefighters from across the state will converge on the Snowy Mountains foothills this weekend – not to battle a blaze, but to compete in the NSW Regional Firefighting Championships.

Firefighters are constantly in training to keep their skills sharp and events like the one in Tumut provide an opportunity to test themselves against some of the best crews in the country.

The two-day event at Bull Paddock is the first round of regional heats for 20 teams, including seven from the Riverina.

Firefighter Championships is one of the longest running traditions of Fire and Rescue NSW and has been going for more than a century.

“These competitions allow our firefighters to remain honed and ready for the real thing,” said FRNSW Acting Deputy Commissioner Cheryl Steer.

“We have some new teams competing in Tumut this year and we’re pretty keen to see how they perform.”

Challenges help to keep firefighters ready for the real thing. Photo: Supplied.

Teams will compete in events such as ‘Booster Valve and High Rise Bag’, ‘Urban Pump Collector and Ladder’, ‘Urban Disabled Pump’ and ‘Hose, Hydrant and Extinguisher’ and will be marked on their speed, teamwork and attention to detail.

Among the competitors are teams from Junee, Tumut, Culcairn, Tumbarumba and three teams from Wagga Wagga.

New teams will be aiming to end the dominance of the FRNSW crew from Wyong which has led the way at recent championships.

The Central Coast is proving an unstoppable force in the firefighting championships and has retained the State Championships title since 2018.

A second round of regional championships will be held in Bathurst in August and the hard-fought competition offers the successful teams the chance to represent their communities at the state titles in Wagga in October.

“Each crew prides itself on its professionalism, skills and readiness to protect its local community,” said acting Deputy Commissioner Steer.

“The friendly rivalry between fire stations and emergency services results in shared and improved knowledge that will ultimately save lives during real emergencies.”

The teams competing in Tumut this weekend are Wangi Wangi, Saratoga, Terrigal, Wyong, Kurri Kurri, Ulladulla x 2, Cowra, Goulburn, Region South #2, Tumut, Culcairn, Tumbarumba, Turvey Park x 2, Wagga Wagga, Trangie, Composite #1, Junee and Kootingal RFS.

You can learn more and keep up with the results of the Firefighter Championships through their website.