The six-man crew was representing the Southern Tablelands zone after they won the regional competition earlier this year.

Held at the Pambula Sporting Complex, the competition was made up of 14 events which tested the 26 teams competing. There was a chainsaw event,  which involved cross-cutting and tree falling scenarios, an air-based inferno event, vehicle collision and fire competition, two navigation-based events, an equipment failure event, a structure event involving simulated asbestos sheeting and a junior event involving transferring water to extinguish a small fire. 

Southern Tablelands Zone manager Peter Alley said these sorts of events were a great chance to gain invaluable firefighting skills.

“It was a new experience for these guys and they learnt an awful lot,” he said.

“It’s good for them to meet and mix with other crews from around the state on not just a competitive basis but on a social basis as well.... and they’re able to compete in a variety of things that they wouldn’t usually compete in.”

While the local boys didn’t take home prizes in any of the events, Mr Alley said he was overjoyed with their efforts.

“I’m really proud of how they went, not only for how they performed but four of the team members were actually my sons so that made it special.”

He said the group was looking forward to the next state championships in two year’s time.

“They returned quite pumped actually and they are already excited about having a crack at the next one in Narrabri in 2016.”

Dubbo Composite were crowned state champions on the day, which followed on from their sister crew Dubbo HQ’s win two years earlier.