Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

at 16/08/2

A team of four cadets from Newquay Fire Station have given an impressive debut performance in the National Fire Cadet Drill Competition on 16 and 17 August at the Greater Manchester Fire Service Training Centre.

The competition is held every two years, and this year twenty teams took part including those from the West Midlands, Greater Manchester, Tyne and Wear, Cleveland, North and South Wales and Royal Berkshire.

The Cornish Team were Emily Rowlands, Luke Livingstone, Emma Clemes and Brett Livingstone. Instructors Kate Rowlands and Stan Livingstone accompanied them to the competition.

At the competition teams had to take part in two drills, both against the clock. The first was to run out two lengths of hose, ask for the water to be turned on, knock down a target, replace a burst piece of hose, and then knock down the target again. The second drill was to run out two lengths of hose, ask for the water to be turned on, knock down a target, add a length of hose reel and then knock down the target again. The winners were the fastest team to complete both tasks.

The West Midlands took first prize, but Cornwall’s team was only .3 of a second behind them as the close runners up. Emily, Luke, Emma and Brett were was also awarded the trophy as ‘best newcomers’ to the competition.

Team instructor Kate Rowlands explains, “The competition gave each team member an opportunity to experience the national competition for the first time, and a great start towards many future entries”
She added: “Next year we will compete in the European Competition Trials with other teams across the country. The winners and runners up will get to compete in Croatia in 2005 representing Great Britain in the European CTIF Competition. This is very different to the national competition with two totally different drills – so we have a lot of training ahead of us!”

If anyone is interested in becoming a cadet, or would like more information please contact Kate Rowlands on 01326 318177 or 07779 359480.