Orchard Hills Rural Fire Brigade is celebrating its youngest team members who took out the title of State Champions.
Earlier this month, six junior members headed down to Albury to compete in the 26th NSW Rural Fire Service State Championships where they competed against nine other junior teams in an effort to test their leadership, teamwork and decision-making skills through a series of different grass, bush and structural fire scenarios, and ultimately took out the title.
16-year-old Junior Crew Leader Emily Filewood said the key to the win was teamwork.
“There was eight events we had to do as a team,” Filewood said.
“A lot of it was thinking on our feet and working as a team. There was six of us that were working together and it was quite fun actually.
“It was all trying to think on our feet and using the skills that we had learnt here from all of our mentors.
“So, how we could do something quick and also trying to be safe.”
There is about 30 cadets at the Orchard Hills Rural Fire Brigade and of the six cadets chosen to go to the competition, Filewood was selected to lead the team.
“It was a lot of responsibility, but I think it kind of just washes over your head at times with all the adrenaline, but it’s what you have to do,” Filewood said.
“We all did it together.
“I couldn’t have done it by myself.”
Deputy Captain and Cadet Coordinator Paul Bridgman said Filewood was chosen as crew leader after showing she had the skills needed for the job.
“With the crew leader one thing is you need to have the visual aspect of what the scenario is going to be and have the confidence,” he said.
“She obviously knows the skills and what’s required. Nerves were a bit high, I’m sure, but when you look at all the scenarios it could be you look for people to work to their strengths.
“Once a command is given the crew follows her instruction and she’s clear and boisterous which you need to be on the fire ground. That’s why she was chosen.”
The tasks of the two-day event reflected the real work of a firefighter.
“At some of the events they deploy a hose out and discharge water to knock down a target then make it up or go through obstacles,” Bridgman said.
“So, there was quite a few different things they had to overcome.”
Bridgman said the whole Orchard Hills Brigade was excited for the junior team and their success at the event.
“I was stoked,” he said.
“We don’t thrive for this, we try to teach the kids to be firefighters first but the fact that their skill and ability can push them to this level is great for us.”
At 16-years-old, Filewood is now a qualified firefighter and is encouraging others to give it a go and chase their dreams.
“It’s something you don’t get the opportunity to do a lot, so if you get the opportunity just take it,” Filewood said.
Locals can visit the Orchard Hills Rural Fire Brigade Facebook page online to learn more about cadet opportunities or to join at http://www.facebook.com/OrchardHillsRuralFireBrigade.
Emily Chate
Emily Chate joined The Western Weekender in 2024, and covers local news - primarily courts and politics. A graduate of the University of Wollongong, Emily has contributed to The Daily Telegraph and worked as a freelance journalist.