GLOW: Firefighters from across Australia take part in a torchlight parade down Peel St on Wednesday night as part of the 2012 State Firefighter Championships. Photo: FRNSW
REIGNING champions Kelso were named overall winners of the 2012 State Firefighter Championships in Tamworth last night.
Organisers have hailed the event a tremendous success.
Brigades from across Australia will begin to farewell new friends and return home today.
The final day of competition yesterday saw firefighters brave 31-degree Celsius temperatures at Cross Park to bring home the final deciding points for their brigades.
A torchlight parade and fireworks display was held at No. 1 Oval on Wednesday night, which saw all brigades take to Peel St and Kable Ave for a ceremonial march.
Last night the closing presentation and awards dinner at Blazes showroom at Wests was a time for the winning teams to be rewarded for their hard work.
The team from Kelso were thrilled to take home the coveted Alfred Webb Cup for the second time.
The team from near Bathurst were the overall winners on 1290 points.
Just 69 points separated the top three teams.
Victorian team Echuca took out second place with 1270 points, while Berry placed third overall on 1221 points.
Local brigades Kootingal RFS and Glen Innes made the top six, with Kootingal fourth on 867 points and Glen Innes behind fifth place-getters Bega on 684 points.
Uralla also came up for special mention, with the brigade awarded the Jack Vincent Memorial Trophy for the brigade judged to have the most proficient team at the championships.
Full dress uniform was the code as attendees watched the official closing ceremony before they farewelled new friends and congratulated the winners.
Host committee secretary and retained firefighter Robert Eckersley said although the Tamworth weather had been warm for the competing firies, all teams had said how much they had enjoyed themselves.
“Everybody loves to come to Tamworth. We have had a lot of comments about how good the track is and how well-organised the event has been,” Mr Eckersley said.
Today firefighters will start to make their way home after the three-day competition.
Teams came from as far away as New Zealand and country Victoria to compete in the biennial event, which Tamworth last hosted in 2008.