Another D11 Firefighter Games was held last weekend, with members travelling from Mallacoota, Cann River and Omeo driving through snow to participate at the event, hosted by Johnsonville brigade and the Tambo Group and held at Swan Reach Recreation Reserve.
Bairnsdale brigade (with a couple of ring-ins from Bengworden and Orbost) won the overall trophy and deservedly so, having been sighted practicing night after night for this event.
A real credit to the crew, who are fire-ready for the coming hotter months.
Tim Bull presented the winners with their trophy.
This year’s event attracted members from 11 brigades with up to 10 members in each team to compete for medals and an overall trophy in games that simulate firefighter skills while also including driving, crew leadership and working in a team.
These included a round-robin style approach to running grass fire event, hydrant relay, entrapment drill, draughting, five-person fog attack, navigation and communication, these events required three-five people participating and adhering to standard operating procedures and safe fire ground practices.
Each event was timed, and five seconds added to the score for each error made.
The appliance expo was special treat this year with specialist vehicles including Metung’s Marine Unit, Lakes Entrance Rescue Unit, Sarsfield’s Big Fill, Bairnsdale’s Breathing Apparatus Support Unit, D11 Head Quarters Brigade Staging area truck and Communications van, Paynesville Rehab unit and a special look at the Light Tanker Prototype truck that is currently on tour around Victoria.
Johnsonville, the host brigade, also demonstrated their Gas Flare off unit, used to empty gas cylinders during fires.
The day finished off with each team nominating two pairs of firefighters who were placed in a tennis championship style draw to compete in the hose race.
This event is exciting for both the participants and the crowd and even saw the Group Officers having a go.
Metung brigade was the eventual winner with its juniors coming in second and its junior leaders winning the race by less than a second.
Gold, silver and bronze medals were presented for each event by Tim Bull MP, CFA’s manager for volunteer sustainability, Lisa Peters and East Gippsland Shire councillor, Arthur Allan.
