Teamwork and precision skills and lots of youngsters enjoying themselves were all on display at the Warrnambool round of the Western District fire brigades junior competition today.
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The Geelong West brigade juniors won the round that was also fiercely contested by juniors from the Warrnambool, Hamilton, Warracknabeal, Ararat, Horsham, Colac and Corio brigades.
The state grand final of the junior championships will be held in Warrnambool next weekend.
Western District Fire Brigades Association chairman Malcolm Bishop said the competition events in such skills as coupling hoses gave the youngsters expertise they would use if they progressed to fighting fires.
But he said the main focus of the competition was for the under 14 and under 16 teams to enjoy themselves.
“They squirt water and have fun,” Mr Bishop said.
He said about half of the competitors had older family members serving in brigade fire fighting roles and it was hoped the juniors would progress to join them.
Mr Bishop said membership of the junior brigades enjoyed healthy numbers and had not been affected by concern over the future role of CFA volunteers.
Some CFA volunteers have expressed concern that proposals by CFA career firefighters could diminish the role of CFA volunteers.