CFS cadets put their skills to the test at State Championships

SA Country Fire Service (CFS) cadets from across South Australia put their firefighting skills to the test at the CFS State Cadet Championships, held at Arura Group Stays in Port Hughes on Saturday 10 October.

Port Lincoln CFS team, Hot Eyre, took out the overall Championship trophy, followed by Team Combustibles, made up of cadets from across the Barossa and Adelaide Hills. Pumped Up!, a combined team of cadets from brigades across South Australia, finished third overall.

The Championships brought together cadets aged 13 to 17 from brigades across the state. This was the second year the event had been held under its current format, with teams made up of cadets from different brigades and regions, bringing a mix of skills and experience.

Cadets and cadet leaders representing 30 CFS brigades and groups travelled to Port Hughes from across South Australia, including Napperby, Gladstone, Jamestown, Stirling North and as far as Roxby Downs.

The Port Lincoln cadets performed strongly across the drills, demonstrating both their firefighting skills and teamwork throughout the competition.

Deputy Chief Officer Paul Seager also presented Hot Eyre with the CFS Firefighter Virtues Award, recognising the team for best demonstrating the SA Country Fire Service's eight firefighter virtues.

Team Combustibles also received the CFS Volunteers Association (CFSVA) Integrity Award, presented by CFSVA President Jeff Clark AFSM. The award recognises the team that best demonstrates diligence and integrity in supporting the welfare and interests of CFS volunteers.

CFS Region 6 Community Engagement Officer and Port Lincoln CFS volunteer Kylie Kleinig, who supervised the team during the event, said she was impressed with what the cadets had achieved.

"Our team have returned to the Championships this year with improved skills and have proved that the extra effort at training was all worth it," Kylie said.

Port Lincoln CFS Captain Greg Napier and fellow brigade members helped the cadets prepare for the Championships, supporting their training in the lead-up to the event.

Combined team Pumped Up! also took out first place in the Suction Hose and Attack Line Drill.

The team brought together cadets from several brigades, including Seaford, Bridgewater, Blackwood, Naracoorte, Compton and Freeling, along with members from Sturt Group and Basket Range.

For some cadets, taking part meant travelling considerable distances, including two members from Naracoorte and Compton who travelled six hours to meet their teammates and compete.

Cadets competed in five drills:

• Two Lines – Two Lengths
• Hose and Tanker Drill
• Suction Hose and Attack Line Drill
• Simulated Fire and Damaged Length
• Knapsack Response Relay Drill

Teams were judged on their accuracy, precision and the time taken to complete each drill.

The Championships also gave cadets and cadet leaders the opportunity to meet others from across the state and share their experiences.

Local brigades provided appliances and equipment for the Championships, with cadet leaders and volunteers from across several regions helping to run the event.

The event was supported by the SA Country Fire Service, CFS Volunteers Association and RAA South Australia.

List of all participating brigades:

• Basket Range
• Blackwood
• Bridgewater
• Brukunga
• Compton
• Freeling
• Gladstone
• Gumeracha
• Hamley Bridge
• Jamestown
• Lincoln
• Lyndoch
• Morgan
• Napperby
• Naracoorte
• Nuriootpa
• Oakbank/Balhannah
• One Tree Hill
• Roseworthy
• Roxby Downs
• Seaford
• Stirling North
• Sturt Group
• Tanunda
• Tea Tree Gully
• Two Wells
• Williamstown
• Wilmington
• Yorketown

Browse photos from the event in the Flickr album below.