Werribee firefighters will battle it out to be the best in the southern hemisphere when they compete in the Australasian Firefighters Championships in Echuca this weekend.
CFA volunteers Michael and Dominic Trifilo, Dylan Britan, Neil Davie, Ben Waterson and Anthony Hill will compete against 29 crews from Australia, New Zealand and Fiji in a three-day event.
The competition tests firefighters’ operational skills across categories including using the reel and pumper; a hose, hydrant and extinguisher event; and ‘wet hose marshalling’.
Michael Trifilo says the championships are great for fitness and skills maintenance.
“As firefighters, we’re a very busy brigade with about 600 to 700 call-outs a year,” he said. “This helps us train for the work we do and, as a team, it gives us something to do in our off-season.” It’s the fourth time Werribee CFA has taken part in the challenge.
Echuca Fire Brigade secretary Ron Hooper, who is part of the organising committee, said the event promoted camaraderie among brigades, volunteers and their families.
“The ability to connect and reacquaint with firefighters from around Australia and from New Zealand and Fiji, provides the opportunity to share knowledge and skills that will help us in responding to the ever-changing needs and diversity of our community,” Mr Hooper said.
