FIVE everyday blokes who live and work in Swansea will proudly represent their community when the NSW Firefighter Championships come to town for the first time in a decade.
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Run by the not-for-profit Fire Championships Association for more than 70 years, the event will bring about 120 firefighters from Fire and Rescue NSW and the NSW Rural Fire Service to Swansea's Quinn Park next weekend.
Among them will be Swansea Fire Station's five-man team, led by deputy captain Nathan Tallon.
It will be Swansea's first appearance in the championships since 2007.
The station has spent the past seven years training new recruits after many of its members retired.
However, Mr Tallon said his team was ready to make a comeback and win the title for Swansea for the first time since 1999.
The team will compete against 14 others in 11 simulated rescue events, including extricating dummies from a crushed vehicle, a breathing apparatus challenge, ladder climb and hose technique tests.
The two-day championships are designed to test firefighters' skills.
The free event is open to spectators and will include public displays from the NSW Rural Fire Service, Marine Rescue NSW and NSW police and ambulance services.
Mr Tallon said it would be a great opportunity to find out about local emergency services.
"It offers some insight into what firefighters do these days," Mr Tallon said.
"We often get asked why the fire brigade turns up to car accidents and HAZMAT incidents.
"Yes, we put out fires, but we do so much more than that."
■ The NSW Firefighter Championships will be held July 19 and 20 at Quinn Park, Swansea, from 7am to 4pm on both days.