Championships History

The establishment of Volunteer Fire Brigades in country Victoria began in 1854 with brigades established at Geelong and Sandhurst (now Bendigo). The introduction of hose reels into the Fire Service to assist in getting hose and other necessary equipment to the scene of a fire relatively quickly, was the catalyst for fire brigade competitions, as we know them. Brigades soon discovered their training and efficiency improved by engaging in training competition with neighbouring brigades.

By 1872 local and district Fire Brigade Competitions were being held and in 1873 the first brigade demonstration by metropolitan and country brigades was held in Melbourne. It was accompanied by a torchlight procession of 460 firefighters parading through the streets of Melbourne.

This tradition has continued to this day with the state urban championships being complemented with a torchlight procession each year.

The urban championships in the main involve traditional events and many still include the use of the reel as was the case in the early 1900s.

On the other hand the events at the rural championships are based around current fire ground practices and most use either tankers or replica tanker stands for most of their events. The rural championships have been conducted continuously since the early 1950s when they held competitions such as rope climbs and knapsack races.

The championships are an ideal opportunity for members interested in keeping fit and improving their fire fighting skills in a competitive environment. Through these competitions, members develop a strong sense of teamwork and camaraderie. The Championships are also an opportunity for members to showcase their firefighting skills and talent.

The highlights of the competitions each year are the state championships: the urban juniors, urban seniors and the rural seniors and juniors.