Members from Fire and Rescue NSW along with the Rural Fire Service (RFS) battled it out at the Fire-fighter Championships, in Grafton over the weekend. The Region North 2 round of the Championships was hosted by Grafton and South Grafton Brigades and drew competitors from as far away as Bega on the NSW south Coast and Tamworth to the west. The Championship events help members of both Fire and Rescue NSW and the RFS to hone their operational skills and encourage teamwork and camaraderie whilst promoting awareness along with their skills, to the community. Saturday’s event was attended by the NSW Fire and Rescue Commissioner Greg Mullins and Assistant Commissioner Robbie McNeil, as well as other highly ranked officers. The official opening ceremony was delayed due to an emergency call out to the South Grafton Brigade. Commissioner Greg Mullins said that he started his career as a volunteer, back in 1972. “We are always recruiting,” said Commissioner Mullins. “But we’re really reaching out for more women to join up.” Fire-fighter, Paul Clarke from Port Macquarie had his four-year-old son Ben standing with him during the official opening, dressed in his fire fighting uniform and hat. “Ben comes to training with me,” said Mr Clarke. “I’ve even had to buy him his own special fireman’s hose.” “It’s a great atmosphere (at the Championship events) and we all look after each other at these functions,” he said. Fire-fighter Paul Fisher from Tamworth said that it was his brigade’s first visit to Grafton. “Grafton is absolutely lovely and we are having a lot of fun,” said Mr Fisher. “It’s great to see how other brigades operate and be able to learn some new skills.”