A LIGHT aircraft caught in a web of power lines with casualties trapped inside. There's a fire, emergency services scrambling around the field and the competing noise of a helicopter overhead.
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This is just one of the chaotic and intense situations the Queanbeyan City Rural Fire Brigade faced during the recent NSW RFS State Championships in Pambula.
The crew of six men and women were put through their paces in a number of simulated emergency scenarios over the three-day event. The event was attended by more than 200 volunteers with the overall winners being the Dubbo composite team.
The Queanbeyan contingent placed first in the crash landing scenario and also claimed the third spot in the sprint challenge and holiday traffic gridlock simulation.
Crew leader Aaron Powell was also given top honours being voted as the outstanding senior firefighter of the event. However, he said it was having a good team which allowed him to really demonstrate good leadership skills.
"It was a very good thing to receive; it was a pleasant surprise at the end of the weekend," Mr Powell said.
"In terms of the dynamic, our team worked really well. I didn't have to do any micromanaging. It was just a case of getting to the scenario and saying 'this is how we go about it, let's go get it done'.
"Everyone was really professional and on the ball which allowed me to stand back and do my job."
It's the first time a team from the local branch have qualified for the championships since 2002. Mr Powell said they were satisfied with their performance as the team really didn't know what to expect.
"It was constant action just rolling from one scenario to the next," he said.
"It was a very hectic and pretty full-on three days. Except for Jake [Ridley] no one had been to the event before so given [our results], we're happy with that."
The crew completed extra training in preparation of the championships and already have hopes to compete at the next event in 2016.
The NSW RFS Championships are held every two years and crews are tested in a number of simulated emergency situations to push their skills and equipment to the limits.
"For a first-time team, they did very well," Queanbeyan City Rural Fire Brigade captain Wayne Dalton said.
"They've already said they're keen to compete in the next two years if they can."
