That ethos threatened to derail the Otago and Southland Waterway firefighting competition in Mosgiel on Saturday, when one of the vital elements for the event — a fire engine — was seconded for use in fighting the forest fires near Nelson.
"We had to change everything over to a different appliance this morning," competition organiser Wayne Ferguson said.
"They’re doing sterling service up there."
Volunteer fire brigade members from Kaitangata, Balclutha, Mataura, Rangiora, Mossburn A and B, Oamaru, Wyndham and Mosgiel took part in the competition.
Competing in teams of two and four, the crew members took part in a range of exercises designed to demonstrate their professional skills with hoses and machinery.
Trophies were awarded in individual disciplines, as well as an overall prize. It was also a test of their fitness and endurance, as temperatures at noon topped 30degC.
"This makes them better firefighters,"Mr Ferguson said.
"Better at using a hose, getting into buildings, etc — it is a real test of their skills and enables them to be safer."
The competition had a proud history which exceeded 70 years, Mr Ferguson said.
"About 10-12 years ago they redid all the runs to modernise them, and we are now looking at modifying some of them to incorporate some rural events."
