FIREFIGHTERS from across the state are preparing to descend on Gunnedah for the 2018 Fire and Rescue Championships.
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From May 4 to 6, teams will be put their paces in a variety of different events testing technique, stamina and teamwork.
Gunnedah Fire and Rescue is hosting the event and Captain David Welch preparations are well under way.
“Everything is on track at the moment and we have met all of our deadlines so far,” Captain Welch said.
“The track is in really good condition, Gunnedah Shire Council has done an awesome job maintaining it over the summer months and keeping it in tip-top shape for the championships.”
Captain Welch said he was expecting a variety of teams to take part in the championships.
“At this stage we are expecting something like 25 to 30 teams to compete at the event,” he said.
“We have had a lot of expressions of interest so far and we should know an exact number at our sign on night at the Gunnedah Services and Bowling Club on the Friday night.”
Several high profile guests are expected to attend the event.
“I’m pretty sure the NSW Fire and Rescue Commissioner will be coming along, as well as that our local MP Kevin Anderson and our mayor Jamie Chaffey have also been invited,” Captain Welch said.
“Hopefully we will get a great turnout of competitors, supporters and dignitaries and it will culminate with a big celebration dinner on the Saturday night.”
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Captain Welch said organisers are still on the lookout for sponsors for the event.
“It would be great to see a few different sponsors come on-board,” he said.
“There is a variety of ways businesses and alike can sponsor the event, it can be an overall sponsorship for example or sponsoring a specific event during the championships and having the specific event named after you.”
Gunnedah Fire and Rescue will also host a community open day leading into the event.
“We have spent the last week or so going around to all of the local schools to bring awareness to the event,” Captain Welch said.
“Before the event we will have an open day for the public to come and have a look at what we do and what the championships are all about.
“All of our firefighters have put in a huge effort to get ready for these championships and I can’t thank them enough for everything they’ve done.”
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
