Brigade on lookout for competitors

Horsham Fire Brigade is on the hunt for new members keen to test their sporting prowess in simulated responses to fire emergencies.

Brigade junior coach David Hornsby said fire-brigade championships were a test of everything from fitness, speed and agility to reflexes and the discipline of being able to respond under pressure.

“Make no mistake, fire-brigade championships are tough and physically demanding and why football clubs in the past have used this training and competition to sharpen up in the pre-season,” he said.

“And really, there is no reason why that couldn’t happen now.” Mr Hornsby made the comments while reflecting on Western and Wimmera Fire Brigade Championships in Horsham last weekend.

Junior teams from Ararat, Stawell, Colac, Horsham, Hamilton, Warracknabeal and Corio competed in a series of 18 discipline events on Saturday.

Overall, Horsham won an under-17s section and Corio the under-13s.

Senior teams from Horsham, Warracknabeal and Eaglehawk competed on Sunday with Warracknabeal dominating competition.

“We saw some good competition and a display of skills that would carry many of the participants onto becoming firefighters,” Mr Hornsby said.

“Championship events are such a great fitness builder but it is always hard to get people involved and the more we can get the better.

“We’ll train for another two weeks and then break for Christmas but we start up again in the middle of January at Park Drive in Horsham.

“Anyone interested in learning firefighting skills through competition can call me on 0408 053 653 and we can either sign them up or point them in the right direction to an appropriate brigade.”