The MIA was well-represented, with teams from Griffith, Yenda and Leeton making up just a few of the hardworking local sides. 

The championships bring together NSW Fire and Rescue teams from across the state to compete in a series of events aimed at honing their skills. 

Senior Instructor Anthony Hatch said this particular event also added several teams from the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS). 

“Leeton jumped up on the podium. Yenda Fire and Rescue has been on the podium. We’ve seen very strong performances from both of those guys.”

Mr Hatch said the weekend provides a great social setting and the chance for younger, newer competitors to learn from the experience around them. 

“The championships do something called a mentor program where they get the really good competitors from other teams and put them with one of our new teams. They show them how to do things,” he said.

“The whole event has been really great in that way.”

Leeton Fire and Rescue captain Graham Parks was proud of his team’s performance at their first championship experience. 

“They’ve done really well. They put in a big effort. This is the first time we’ve ever been to a championships,” he said. 

“They’ve won two events so far and been very close in the rest of them.” 

Yenda fared the best of the local teams on 280 points, Leeton came away with 263 points, Griffith finished the day on 175 points, Hanwood on 172 points, followed by Griffith’s second team on 114 points. 

With plenty to see and do outside the scheduled events, Mr Hatch felt the day offered fun for the whole family.

“It’s been great to see the kids down here. They’ve been coming through and seeing all the firetrucks. We had a colouring-in competition happening,” he said. 

“The prize is a home visit. The kids get a visit from our firefighters and the big red truck. It’s probably the day you want to invite all your friends around.”