Central Coast Council is pleased to support the bi-annual Fire and Rescue NSW Championship – the first time it has ever been held on the Coast.

Fire & Rescue NSW (FRNSW) teams from across the state will converge at the Norah Head Sports Ground on Bungary Road for the three-day championship to be held from 27 to 29 October this year.

FRNSW Assistant Commissioner and Championships Director Rob McNeil announced the championship will take place at the end of October and encouraged Central Coast residents to mark the date in their calendar and come along.

“Firefighters train for this event for many months and there is a strong competitive streak within the brigades to prove who the top team is,” Assistant Commissioner McNeil said.

“They compete in challenges to test their skills in setting up and deploying firefighting equipment quickly and safely.

“It’s a great opportunity for the community, especially budding firefighters, to come along and see what it’s all about. There’ll also be fire safety demonstrations and much more.”

Central Coast Council Administrator Ian Reynolds said he was thrilled the Coast would host such a great event that would celebrate the important role firefighters play in our community while showcasing the Coast as a great place to host major events.

“I am pleased the FRNSW have chosen the Coast to hold this exciting event and we are proud to support the great work our fireys deliver for our community each and every day,” Mr Reynolds said.

“The word is getting out there the Coast is the place to hold major events and the benefits that will flow to our community from that are enormous.

“I encourage everyone who can to get along and enjoy the spectacle and support our firefighters to continue to do what they do best.”

Assistant Commissioner Rob McNeil said the championships provided firefighters with the opportunity to work together under pressure and develop their operational skills.

“The events are designed to be exciting and fun but also have the more serious purpose of honing skills that will be critical to our firefighters in real emergencies,” Assistant Commissioner McNeil said.

All Championship events, community safety demonstrations and activities will be held at Norah Head Sports Ground on the corner of Maitland Street and Bungary Road, Norah Head from 8am to 5pm from Thursday to Saturday (27-29 October). Entry is free. The opening ceremony is at 11am on Thursday 27 October.

A community engagement event will be held at Memorial Park, The Entrance on Friday 28 October from 5pm to 9pm. The event will include:

• Displays from Fire and Rescue NSW
• Emergency Service Displays from other Agencies (Police, SES, RFS and VRA)
• A firefighter torchlight parade along Marine Parade
• Fireworks to conclude the evening.