Heat is on as tradition returns 'home' to Wagga at State Firefighter Championships

Wagga Wagga is heating up for a scorching biannual showdown of firefighters from throughout NSW.

The 2024 State Firefighter Championships are returning to the birthplace of the first State Demos in 1932.

Twenty-six teams are set to represent Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) at the championships from this Thursday to Saturday, 24-26 October, at Anderson Oval, Mount Austin.

FRNSW Acting Assistant Commissioner Gary Barber said the event was shaping up to be one to remember.

“The State Firefighter Championships unite firefighters from across the state and beyond, and teams this year are coming from far and wide to compete,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Barber said.

“This event is hugely beneficial to our firefighters, but ultimately, it’s our communities who benefit the most.

“Our people take learnings, skills and stronger relationships back to their station and apply them in incidents such as structure fires and rescue incidents.”

The championships allow firefighters to showcase their capabilities in a competitive environment and learn new skills to take back to their communities. Competitors put their stamina, attention to detail and cooperation to the test with events such as rescue, booster valve, ladder and high-rise bag.

Acting Assistant Commissioner Barber said he was pleased to have teams travelling long distances to take part in the event.

“We’re pleased to have such broad representation competing at this event, with teams from the Central Coast and Victorian border travelling great distances to compete,” he said.

The competing teams include Cowra, Culcairn, Echuca (FRV), Goulburn, Griffith, Junee, Kelso, Kootingal (RFS), Kurri Kurri, Kyneton (CFA), Morisset, Region South, Rutherglen (CFA), Temora, Trangie, Turvey Park, Ulladulla, Wagga Wagga, Wangi Wangi, Wellington and Wyong.

Acting Assistant Commissioner Barber said all-female teams would participate in the events.

“We also have a growing contingent of female competitors, with two all-female teams from Culcairn and Ulladulla competing this weekend,” he said.

“It’s great to see more women competing and getting involved, at the championships and within our organisation more broadly.

“Fire doesn’t discriminate, and neither do we. We encourage anyone interested in a career as an on-call firefighter to come down this weekend for a chat with our people, or reach out to their local fire station for more information.”

Wagga Wagga also hosted the championships in 1962.

In a bid to bring glory to the hosting town, Junee, Temora, Turvey Park and Wagga Wagga will each be fielding teams.

The event is set to culminate with a community engagement evening on Friday at Wagga Beach Riverside Precinct from 5 o’clock.

The public is invited to a special performance from the FRNSW Band, a torchlight procession and a spectacular fireworks display at 8:15 pm.