World Firefighter Games 2008

[Kev]

LIVERPOOL is going full blazes to host the best World Firefighter Games in Capital of Culture year.

The plans were revealed to 30 chief fire officers from across Britain last night to attract hundreds of UK fire-fighters to the games.

The week-long event, from August 25 2008, will be held in the new King's Dock arena and Merseyside sporting venues.

Organisers believe it could attract more than 5,000 competitors and supporters from across the world, as well as thousands of locals.

Peter Rushton, co-ordinating the games for Mersey-side Fire and Rescue Service, said: "The event is also to promote fire safety and there will be conferences running alongside the games. We're also going to be involving lots of community organisations and sports clubs, and we're working with John Moores."

Firefighters from up to 30 countries hope to take part, with Australia, New Zealand and Canada fielding consistently strong teams.

The games, which celebrate their 10th anniversary in 2008, are a mixture of events including a Herculean "toughest firefighter alive" contest at the Albert Dock, a firehouse cook-off among fireservice chefs and a contest for rescue dogs.

Mr Rushton said: "We're hoping to make the games the most successful ever."

Last time the games were held in the UK, in Sheffield two years ago, two British records were broken.

catherinejones@liverpoolecho.co.uk

[Kev]

THE World Firefighters Games gets under way on August 24, 2008, until September 2, 2008.

The Liverpool 08 organising committee currently employs six staff, eventually rising to 70 with the support of 100 university students and 2,000 voluntary stewards and ambassadors.

The volunteers will be used for everything from meeting and greeting at the airport, to marshalling events and city guides.

Running alongside the sporting events will be the International Fire Fighting Conference, which will be attended by around 1,000 fire experts at the Kings Dock Conference Centre.

Andrew Cooper of corporate sponsors Weightman’s Solicitors said: “We support Merseyside Fire Service’s commitment to the community, in terms of fire safety and general health and we are delighted to be part of the games.”

Visit the Games website, www.WFG08.com where details of how to support the games can be found.

[Kev]

COMPETITORS from around the world are signing up to take part in next year’s World Firefighters Games in Liverpool. Read (http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2007/07/30/liverpool-hosts-world-games-64375-19540264/)

[Kev]

A RECRUITMENT drive to sign 1,500 volunteers to help with the running of next year’s World Firefighters Games was launched yesterday with the help of Everton footballer Tim Cahill. Read (http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2007/10/25/firemen-call-on-assistance-volunteers-for-games-64375-20004692/)

[paddy2040]

Hi All,

I'm a sports science student and im very close to finishing my degree. I've decided that I would like to be a firefighter but I have been finding it very difficult to find any information on the subject. I'm finding it particularly hard to find job vacancies. I'd be very interested if anybody could tell me the process involved. I have managed to find this guide on becoming a firefighter

http://www.how2become.co.uk/viewProduct.php?product_name=Firefighter

but am unsure of its quality. Have any current serving firefighters read it or had any help from it when going through the recruited.

Any help or information would be greatly appreciated,

Sam

[Sean SE16]

Well all this Olympic stuff in Beijing is all very nice to look at but I'm looking forward to the proper sport starting in two weeks.

Does anyone know the route for the parade of competitors on Monday 25th?, the WFG website has a parade route link but its been disabled. Various references to City Centre parade, but remembering that a lot of roads will be closed for Mathew St Festival, I'm wondering where the parade will be going. The website has it starting at 12:00 and back to the Echo Arena for 14:00 for the opening ceremony.

Monday is going to be a very busy day in the city, I'm so glad I changed my plans and will be staying until Tuesday :)

[julieoapw]

A propos of nothing in particular ..... I've got 100 French firemen to guide on the Saturday!:slywink:

[squiggs]

I am looking forward to the WFG as I am a volunteer for one of the events !, I have my tee shirt and jacket at the ready !,

[Kev]

THOUSANDS of people will descend on the ECHO Arena on Monday to mark the opening of the World Firefighter Games 2008.

The nine-day event will be launched with an Olympic style competitor parade on the waterfront, which will take place between 12 noon and 2pm.

The official opening ceremony, which will be attended by Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe, will take place in the arena between 3pm and 5pm.

Civil dignitaries, including council leader and serving firefighter Warren Bradley, contestants and spectators will be greeted with video messages of support from Prime Minister Gordon Brown and HRH The Prince of Wales.

A programme of entertainment during the afternoon will include The Love and Joy Gospel Choir and the Grand Final of the Young Fire Crew Challenge.

A song synonymous with firefighters in America ? Amazing Grace ? will be sung by Jenni Strype, 24, from Fazakerley who works for Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service?s Threat Response Team.

Jenni said: ?I was looking forward to it at first but now it is so close I am nervous.

?I have sung in pubs and clubs before, and as a schoolgirl I sang at the Anglican Cathedral, but nothing on this scale.

?I was picked as part of a competition called WFG-Factor.

?My family will be there. It will be really nerve-wracking. I have never sung with a choir before.?

To mark the launch the 3,000 competitors will also take part in a Beatles sing-along organised by the Beatles Story and the Albert Dock Company to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the UK release of the Beatles classic, Hey Jude.

To encourage visitors to the Albert Dock to take part, The Beatles Story will also be distributing lyric sheets so that everyone can join in at 1.30pm on Monday.

For more information on World Firefighter Games go to www.wfg08.com

Continues >> (http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2008/08/23/world-firefighter-games-2008-all-fired-up-to-compete-100252-21590552/2/)

[quincyg]

just a few pics from the plateau today.
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e28/quincyg/blogging5fuji/Picture2490.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e28/quincyg/blogging5fuji/Picture2467.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e28/quincyg/blogging5fuji/Picture2473.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e28/quincyg/blogging5fuji/Picture2477.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e28/quincyg/blogging5fuji/Picture2455.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e28/quincyg/blogging5fuji/Picture2489.jpg

[marky]

Dog Rescue, Dukes Dock

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee262/south_liverpool/Dog_Rescue1.jpg

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee262/south_liverpool/Dog_Rescue2.jpg

[lindylou]

Thanks Quincy and Marky. I haven't managed to see any of these events.

[Mark R]

Great photos quincy & marky :handclap::handclap:

[marky]

Firemans Dummy, before it gets thrown and tossed around.

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee262/south_liverpool/Firemans_Dummy.jpg

[robbo176]

great photos Quincy & Marky :PDT_Piratz_26:

I took a couple of photos on the Platau yesterday,but unfortunatly a fire fight had collapsed & was receiving medical attention so I stopped taking pics

I hope the firefighter will be fine.....& I'm sorry I thought it was part of the games :PDT_Aliboronz_11:

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y94/robbo176/yoliverpool/100_3063.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y94/robbo176/yoliverpool/100_3065.jpg

[Maggie May]

Excellent photo's.....I love the doggy rescue one......:handclap:

[Maggie May]

Paddy 2040.....best thing to do is enquire at your local fire station they should be able to give you the contact details of the local recruitment office for firefighters.....are you in L'pool ..my big brother has just retired from the service..I can ask him if you like but it will have to wait til he gets back from his holiday

[chippie]

That looks like me getting a fireman,s lift after a few magners:PDT_Aliboronz_24:

[quincyg]

great photos Quincy & Marky :PDT_Piratz_26:

I took a couple of photos on the Platau yesterday,but unfortunatly a fire fight had collapsed & was receiving medical attention so I stopped taking pics

I hope the firefighter will be fine.....& I'm sorry I thought it was part of the games :PDT_Aliboronz_11:



aye some were really struggling. did you see that girl from Venezuela? can't have been easy trying to run on that surface either.

[John(Zappa)]

No Fire fighting women?

Great pics Q:PDT_Piratz_26:

[Mark R]

I think I saw an Austrian flag there today. I presume there was an Austrian contingent?

[lindylou]

Just found this on You Tube

YouTube - World Firefighters Games 2008 (Liverpool) Singalong (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhmB7tBtcDE)

:PDT_Piratz_26: