An all-female firefighting team from Culcairn and Albury North is set to represent Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) this week at the 2024 State Firefighter Championships, at Wagga Wagga, in the state’s Riverina region.
Held every two years, the State Firefighter Championships give firefighters the opportunity to hone their skills in a competitive environment, allowing them to further develop their capabilities to take back to their local communities.
With events such as “rescue”, “booster valve”, “ladder”, and ”high-rise bag”, firefighters put their stamina, attention to detail, and cooperation to the test.
An All-Female Firefighting Team
Firefighters Donna Simmons, Sharon Pilkington, Rhiannon Jennings-Buchhorn and Bronwyn Daniel, who hail from Culcairn and Albury North fire stations, are keen to learn new skills and make connections with colleagues.
Culcairn Fire Station Deputy Captain, Donna Simmons, said that the experience is as much about connection as it is about competition.
“Our team competed together for the first time at the recent Firefighter Championships in Tumut,” Deputy Captain Simmons said.
Opportunities For Learning
“We were blown away by the sense of community at the event and the kindness shown by our competitors. In a typically male-dominated profession and event, we felt welcomed and supported from the start.”
“For us, the State Championships are partly about competing, but we see it more as an opportunity to make those connections with our peers and learn as much as possible from them,” concluded Deputy Captain Simmons.
Commissioner Gary’s Words On The Championship
FRNSW Acting Assistant Commissioner, Gary Barber, said that the Wagga Wagga Championships are set to be one to remember.
“The State Firefighter Championships unite firefighters from across the state and beyond, and teams come from far and wide to compete,” he said.
“This event is hugely beneficial to our firefighters, but ultimately, it’s our community who benefit the most. Our people take learnings, skills, and stronger relationships back to their local community, and apply them in real scenarios such as structure fires and rescue incidents.”
Community Engagement
Spectators are welcome to attend the Championships, with the event set to culminate with a community engagement evening on Friday at Wagga Beach Riverside Precinct.
From 5.00 pm onwards, the public is invited to a special performance from the FRNSW Band, a torchlight procession, and a spectacular fireworks display at 8:15 pm.
