Champion firefighters claim their prize
Published Date: 21 Feb 2015
Summary
A crew from Orana Rural Fire Service that won the NSW Firefighting Championships have been officially presented with their prize - a fully equipped Isuzu D-Max utility.
By Mark Rayner
Team leader Peter Conn and his two sons Jason and Tim from Comobella brigade teamed up with Brad O'Leary and Craig Walters from Elong Elong and Joe Cooper from Dubbo Headquarters to take out the 2014 championships at Pambula.
The 4x4 crew cab D-Max will be used as a community support vehicle and is leased at no cost to the Orana RFS for two years, the duration they will remain state champions.
Gilbert & Roach Huntington Isuzu representative Glenn Jewell presents Orana composite team leader Craig Walters with the keys to the newest addition for Orana. Watching on are Rob Butcher and RFS assistant commissioner Bruce McDonald (far left), Jason Conn, Brad O'Leary and Joe Cooper (fire truck) and Peter Conn and Orana RFS team leader Lyndon Wieland. Tim Conn absent from photo. Photo: BELINDA SOOLE
The win made it back-to-back titles and vehicles for the region.
In 2012 Dubbo Headquarters won the title and bought out the residual on their D-Max to retain it at headquarters brigade.
They were also Orana's biggest threats in Pambula. They finished as runners-up to the Orana team and the final placings had to be decided by a countback, after they were level on points.
Orana team leader, Inspector Lyndon Wieland said the results at recent state championships showed the quality and dedication of volunteers in the region.
"We've got some very committed volunteers here in the Orana area who train very hard and worked very hard at the state championships and have reaped the benefits," he said.
"For the second time running, we've got an Isuzu D-Max vehicle for their effort.
"It's all about commitment, training and I suppose the bottom line is knowing their roles and responsibilities on the fire ground. What has made these guys so successful is their ability to work as a team and know their responsibilities and roles."
Inspector Wieland thanked the support of Gilbert & Roach Huntingwood and Isuzu for their sponsorship of the event. Both the dealership and manufacturer have been long-term supporters of the RFS and sponsors of the state championships.
