While Australia's elite athletes are preparing to compete for Olympic gold in Rio, closer to home Australia's elite firefighters are preparing to descend on the Central Coast for Fire and Rescue NSW's own version of the Olympics, the State Firefighter Championships.

The State’s best firefighters will pit their wits and skills against each other during the three-day event to be held 27-29 October. It’s a dramatic competition that tests firefighters’ skills as they compete for coveted Alfred Webb Cup.

The Championships showcase the skills and expertise a modern firefighter uses every day, be it attacking a fire or responding to a major emergency.

Council is a proud sponsor of the 2016 FRNSW State Firefighter Championship  which will be officially launched by Fire & Rescue NSW Assistant Commissioner Rob McNeil at Norah Head Sports Ground on Friday 5 August at 11:30am.

Council’s Tourism and Marketing Officer, Mrs Myra Pettinger said she was looking forward to the main event in October which is being hosted by the Wyong Fire Brigade and will see emergency workers across the state come to the Central Coast to compete.

“Council is proud to sponsor events such as this which not only benefit our community through education and entertainment but also help showcase the Central Coast as an ideal destination to host major events, ” Mrs Pettinger said.

“It is great to see local groups getting together and bidding for large events and Council is only too happy to support them in their efforts.

“Not only will the event be a great opportunity for the community to get out and support our tireless emergency workers and the job they do, it will also bring up to 1,000 competitors and supporters to the Coast as visitors over a three day stretch. This level of visitation should inject over $800,000 into the local economy.”

What:              Official launch of the State Firefighter Championship

Who:               Rob McNeil AFSM FRNSW Assistant Commissioner

When:             11:30am Friday 5 August

Where:            Norah Head Sports Ground, Corner of Maitland Street and Bungary Road, Norah Head