Member Services 
A reminder for everyone to consider getting along to the VFBV State (Rural) Championships to be held at Warrnambool this weekend (Saturday 7, Sunday 8 April).
The Seniors will be competing on the Saturday, and the Juniors will be competing on the Sunday.
This will be the 62nd Senior State Rural Championship and the 40th Junior State Rural Championships.
Events at the rural championships which evolved in the 1950's are based around more current fire ground practices and most use either tankers or replica tanker stands for most of their events.
Results from this weekends Championships will again be posted here: https://www.facebook.com/Volunteer-Fire-Brigades-Victoria-Championships-451309545285820/
And we also be running our live stream of Photo's from the weekend via our Flickr account at; https://www.flickr.com/photos/vfbv/albums/with/72157693786197555
State Championships allow volunteer firefighters to test their skills and prowess against opposing Brigades in a congenial atmosphere and provides an opportunity to strengthen existing friendships and form new bonds with Brigade members throughout Victoria and interstate. Unlike a real bushfire or structural fire situation, which often pits firefighters against mother nature and where lives and property are at risk, these drill competitions are more firefighter versus firefighter, and Brigade versus Brigade, which allows for a more friendly opponent than mother nature.
The Top 10 benefits and objectives of our competitions and State Championships are to:
- increased operational firefighting efficiency and discipline
- develop, maintain and enhance the operational skills of firefighters by providing a competitive environment to promote and hone training and skills maintenance in core and fundamental firefighting skills and practices
- develop teamwork and leadership skills of individuals and Brigades
- increased health and fitness development and promotion of healthy lifestyle and its correlation to increased firefighting efficiency and effectiveness
- promote comradeship amongst firefighters, sense of belonging and networking
- encourage family participation and strengthen community engagement and involvement in local Fire Brigade’s
- encourage our future CFA volunteer firefighters and provide early exposure to young people to instil a sense of community service and the importance of local Fire Brigade’s
- promote a professional image of CFA to the community
- instil and promote the Australian tradition of having a go, and doing your best
- promote and recognise our future CFA, Brigade and VFBV leaders and celebrate excellence
