Fireys excel in national competitions

New Zealand Army emergency responders shone when they took part in the United Fire Brigades Association North Island Regional Firefighter Challenge took in Auckland recently.

One hundred firefighters from around New Zealand took part in the competition with the aim of pushing themselves to their physical and mental limits in a high intensity test of firefighting obstacles.

The Army emergency responders teamed up with their RNZAF colleagues to form a 15-strong contingent.

Reservist SPR Aidan Grant placed first overall in the individual category finishing just one second off the national record with a time of 1 minute, 31 seconds.

SGT Tom Grant and CPL Bailey Campbell placed 4th overall in the tandem event.

SME Fire wing also competed in the team relay event, beating RNZAF to place second overall.

Members of the team also took part in the National

Firefighter challenge last month in Wellington. With an increased competitor field of 150 fire fighters, the competition was tough.

SPR Grant placed second overall in the individual category with a time of 1 minute, 34 seconds.

SPR Jack Gardner placed 10th overall with a time of 1 minute, 50 seconds.

Both of these times qualified them for the Firefighter Challenge World Championships in Florida later this year.

SME Fire wing again competed in the team relay taking out the title of National relay champions in a tight race that separated first and second by 0.15 seconds.

NZ Army taking out the inaugural NZ Army vs RNZAF competition trophy.