- Published:
- Friday 1 April 2016
CFA volunteers from across Victoria will showcase their elite fire fighting skills this weekend as teams battle it out for the trophy at the State Rural Fire Brigade Championships in Colac.
The Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria (VFBV) competition, officially opened today by the Parliamentary Secretary for Justice Ben Carroll, is designed to enhance firefighter skills and strengthen teamwork.
Representing the Minister for Emergency Services Jane Garrett, Mr Carroll said the annual championships were an important part of CFA culture and helping to build team spirit and promote camaraderie.
Held in Colac for the third time, the games will see more than 1000 competitors, or 76 senior and 66 junior teams, from across Victoria compete in a variety of events designed to test the competitors’ fire fighting skills.
The team-orientated events use tanks, pumps, hoses and ladders to simulate many of the tasks firefighters undertake.
The CFA is one of the world’s largest volunteer organisations, with almost 60,000 members, more than 97 per cent of whom are volunteers.
Brigades are dispersed all across regional Victoria, as well as outer metropolitan Melbourne. The CFA serves more than 3.3 million Victorians and help to protect more than one million homes and properties across the state.
Quotes attributable to Parliamentary Secretary for Justice Ben Carroll
“This competition is a fantastic chance for members to put their skills to the test and build on their professional and social networks with other brigades.”
“The CFA is made up of thousands of people who voluntarily put their lives on the line to protect their community.”
“These championships are like the Commonwealth Games for volunteer firefighters, allowing them to come together to compete against their colleagues and strengthen teamwork.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney
“The championships are a great opportunity for the community to see the skills and commitment required to be a volunteer firefighter.”
“This is a fantastic event which will draw thousands of dedicated volunteers and visitors from all over the state.”