RISING like a phoenix from the ashes, Swan Hill’s Country Fire Authority team climbed from last place to finish 17th team at the biennial Australasian Firefighter’s Championships.
Competing against 30 teams from across the country, the local lads, led by Harold Jochs, sat in last place Saturday night, only to put in a record-breaking effort in a hose and hydrant event and a hose, hydrant and extinguisher event.
Both events were sprint events, requiring the team to set a hydrant, run 30 metres of hose out, and then spray a target.
Andrew Jochs, Jamie Whately and Brendan Jilbert all earned their place on the podium, placing third in both events.
“Unfortunately the record got broken two times after that,” coach Harold Jochs said with a laugh.
For more on this story, grab a copy of today’s (Wednesday, October 27th) The Guardian…
