Bega firefighters claim state championship crown | Photos

The medal haul – and two tables overladen with impressive trophies – is the result of the Bega crew’s overwhelming success at last week’s NSW Firefighter Championships held in Wyong.

Team captain Gerard Hanscombe and retained firefighters Cassandra Dickson, Trent Smith and Clinton Towill have been judged the best in the state after a gruelling three days of competition against 25 other teams from across the state and New Zealand.

They have returned home with an impressive array of trophies, including the Alfred Webb Trophy for the overall highest pointscore in the state titles.

“We jump like loonies when we win one medal,” Mr Towill said, “now we have about 14!”

It’s not the first time the Bega crew has performed well at the championships, but it is believed to be the first time in the station’s 100-year history it has placed first overall.

The state win entitles the team to compete at the Australasian championship to be held in New Zealand in October 2017.

Also a first, it’s believed Ms Dickson is the first ever female firefighter to be part of a state title-winning team in the event’s 80-plus-year history.

“She’s as good, if not better, than some of the blokes, and she’s proved that here,” Mr Hanscombe said.

Ms Dickson said she was proud with the result, but even prouder to be able to run with the Bega team.

“Gerard ran with my dad back when I was a kid sitting on the sidelines watching on,” she said.

“Now to win the state championships with Gerard and these guys has blown me out of the water.”

The Bega team broke a couple of state records on their way to the overall win – both in the rescue event and the pumper BA with foam event.

Both simulated real life emergencies with the team racing against the clock to perform a breach and patient rescue in the first, and a foam creation and chemical fire extinguishing in the latter.

Meanwhile, team manager Ernie Vinecombe was presented with the groundsmanship award.

Fire and Rescue NSW Assistant Commissioner of regional operations Rob McNeil said Bega was “slick and professional” at the competition and praised them for their focus on bettering already strong performances at the bi-annual event.

Mr Hanscombe said the whole Bega team thanked their partners and families, as well as the entire community, for their ongoing support.

Bega is now looking ahead to hosting zone championships in May next year at their Valley Fields track.

Event 1 - Urban Pump Booster Valve/Ladder and Internal Hose Reel - 1st Bega

Event 2 - Boost Valve and High Rise Bag - 2nd Bega

Event 3 - Ladder Practice - Individual Event - 1st Clinton Towill and 4th Trent Smith

Event 4 - Urban Pump Collector and Ladder - 4th Bega

Event 5 - Urban Disabled Pump and Davey Pump - 1st Bega

Event 6 - Rescue - 1st Bega STATE RECORD

Event 7 - Hose and Hydrant - 2 competitors - Bega 2 - 5th Bega 1 - 11th

Event 8 - Hose and Hydrant - 2nd Bega

Even 9 - Hose, Hydrant and Extinguisher - 3rd Bega

Event 10 - Urban Pump and Breeching - 3rd Bega

Event 11 - Hose, Hydrant and Breeching - 6th Bega

Event 12 - Urban Pump BA and Foam Event - 1st Bega STATE RECORD

Event 13 - Urban Pump Collector - 3rd Bega

Event 14 - Urban Pump Suction - 8th Bega

Event 15 - Veerans' Urban Pump Suction - 3rd Southern - Gerard Hanscombe/Ernie Vinecombe

Awards won as well by Bega are:

Alfred Webb Cup - State Champions overall point score - Bega 1st

McMurtie Trophy - Highest Points in Motorised Events - Bega 1st

The Jack Vincent Memorial Trophy - Work Teams Award - Ernie Vinecombe - Bega

Discipline Trophy - Bega Runner Up

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