The Cohuna Fire Brigade’s Rob Waterson is heavily involved in Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria, which runs the championships.

He said competitions such as this were key training grounds for younger brigade members working their way up into operational duties.

Mr Waterson said CFA members who wanted to find a place on trucks needed to show a set of minimum skills.

“For these girls and fellas, 90 per cent of those skills they need are demonstrated here. So once they have learnt these skills all they have to do is learn about fire ground risks and they are good to go,” he said.

The event was even more important at a time when community organisations based in small country towns were witnessing a decline in their membership.

In the years Mr Waterson had been involved in the urban championships he had seen the number of competing brigades drop from 130 to 45.

“It’s a real battle keeping young people, but the championships are a great recruiting tool,” he said.

Mr Waterson said many of the young people competing in the championships used the sport to keep fit for winter’s football and netball seasons, yet time would likely see them set their sights on other goals.

“Give it 10 or 15 years and the younger people competing here will be the main fire fighters in their brigade. Sure, some will drop off, but many will stay on.”

Mr Waterson said the bonds younger competitors were forging would last a long time.

“When you are in the fire brigade it gets into your blood. It’s a good community thing to be in,” he said.

Mr Waterson’s grandfather served in the Long Gully brigade. His father was also a fire fighter.

Day three of the Urban championships saw a strong finish by local brigade Kangaroo Flat, who came second in the A section aggregate.

The brigade’s Jackson Dargeville and Jamie Hart came second in the champion competitor category to Maryvale’s Matt Royal.

Maryvale were heading home with the A class grand aggregate title. They were named the 2018 champion brigade.