“I would like to congratulate all of you for the efforts and results achieved here in Ostrava, and for the friendly spirit in which the games went along“, CTIF President Walter Egger said. Then all winning teams were invited to join CTIF and Czech officials on the stadium for a festive prize-awarding ceremony. Walter Egger also thanked Josef Huber, CTIF International Competitions Leader, and Ignaz Mascha, CTIF International Youth Competitions Leader, for their involvement and their rigour in elaborating and applying the competition rules.

The CTIF Vetter Cup goes to a Czech youth team!

2009 celebrates the 20^th anniversary of the Vetter Cup, which was donated to CTIF by the Vetter GmbH (Germany) in 1989 and was first handed out the same year at the International Fire Brigades Competitions in Warsaw, Poland. The Vetter Cup always goes to the best youth team in the competition. So the Czech Republic can be doubly proud tonight: first for organising highly successful competitions, and secondly for winning the Vetter Cup, which was awarded to the Czech youth team of SDH Chlumec nad Cidlinou. “Youth fire brigades are really important because they are our future” Anton Brandauer, CTIF Vice-President in charge of the competitions and the youth, said. “It was very nice walking down the streets of Ostrava the last days and meeting all these youth groups chatting and exchanging in so many different languages. Our young people understand each other beyond all borders.” And the same goes to any member of the whole fire fighting family!

All official results are on www.ctif.org!

Youth firefighters said goodbye

Hauling down a flag which symbolically finished XVII. International Young Firefighters Meeting preceded the goodbye party. Almost 600 of young firefighters from 23 countries had really full program from the begining of this event. The Youth Camp was opened in area of Stredoskolska street, where youth lived, before the opening of the Games. Several days later the were the Youth Camp Olympics with very unusual disciplines taking place in the same area. Official competititons took place at the Ostrava Vitkovice stadium. During those official competititons young firefighters introduced themselves on Poruba Main Street in their Introduction of Nations.

The Closing Ceremony variegated by technical equipment-past

Before the last final results will be counted and evaluated, auditorium can watch Brouci band concert from 17:30. At 18:15 teams of volunteer and career firefigters´ teams enter the stadium, which is going to be followed by announcement of winners in fire-fighting sport. After the announcement comes prepared program of majorettes, dance ensembles and children firefighters. Before the announcement of the total final results there is a short speech given by minister of the interior of the Czech Republic Martin Pecina, general director HZS CR Miroslav Stepan and CTlF president Walter Egger. After the Closing Ceremony there are technical equipment-past and Support Lesbiens band concert and lastly the fireworks prepared by organizers.

Last day program

7:45 – 10:55 – Traditional International Fire Brigade Competitions- Volunteer Fire Brigade – B, Professional Fire Brigades – women teams, Vitkovice stadium A

12:20 – 14:40 – International Fire Brigade Sporting Competitions  women and men , fire fighting attack, Vitkovice stadium A

17:30 – National, cultural pragramme for the closing ceremony, open-air concert. Vitkovice stadium A

18:30 – Announcement of winners, International Fire Brigade Sporting Competitions, fire bregade relay race 4×100m fere fighring attack, team scoring, general scoring

19:00 – Announcement of winners, International Fire Brigade Sporting Competitions – women, fire bregade relay race 4×100m fere fighring attack, team scoring, general scoring 

Following – technical equipment-past, Support Lesbiens concert (21:00), fireworks, Vitkovice stadium

First result announcement

The first official results of the Fire-fighting games were announced at Vítkovice stadium in Ostrava about midday. Awarded individuals and teams ascended the podiums with the ovations tendered by full auditorium. Full scale of results in all disciplines and categories you can find on: www.ctif2009-ostrava.cz. It is worth saying that the czech national record in climbing with the hook ladder was broken. The record held by Josef Penca who in 1990 reached 13,64 seconds on open air championship in Brno was broken by member of the Czech representation A – Karel Ryl who reached 13,58 seconds.“I am glad that Karel broke the record. He is able to achieve even better time,“ said Josef Penca who often gives Karel advices in his training.

Youth trip

In the morning, 425 young firefighters went to Roznov pod Radhostem by special train. They visited the Wallachian open air museum which they went throught with the great interest. Planned program was even more interested for them because when they arrived to the museum there was the finish of veteran car Beskyd rallye taking place. The leaders of the delegations together with chief SH CMS Ing. Karel Richter were took in by the musem director Ing. Vitezslav Koukal, Csc.

What will Saturday 25 July 2009 bring about?

7:45 – 10:55 – Traditional International Fire Brigade Competitions- Volunteer Fire Brigade – B, Professional Fire Brigades – women teams, Vitkovice stadium A

12:20 – 14:40 – International Fire Brigade Sporting Competitions  women and men , fire fighting attack, Vitkovice stadium A

17:30 – National, cultural pragramme for the closing ceremony, open-air concert. Vitkovice stadium A

18:30 – Announcement of winners, International Fire Brigade Sporting Competitions, fire bregade relay race 4×100m fere fighring attack, team scoring, general scoring

19:00 – Announcement of winners, International Fire Brigade Sporting Competitions – women, fire bregade relay race 4×100m fere fighring attack, team scoring, general scoring 

Youth Camp Olympics

Young firefighters came together in the area in front of the Stredoskolska Street. Main goal of the event  was meeting of 23 teams from 23 countries. The Czech Republic was represented by three teams – girls from Piskova Lhota and boys from Horni Hradiste and from Chlumec nad Cidlinou. They had already passed relays: ladder wall, crawling under the lath, relay race…and on this event they enjoyed free disciplines prepared by the Czech organizers.

„The most, I was surprised by the results of Slovenians. Athough they were not the best, they surprised me with their behaviour and style“ said main organizer and deputy chief of SDH CMS Monika Homolkova-Nemeckova. When asked who is her favourit person to cooperate with, she replied that all volunteers and workers from HZS and civil sector.

Museum opened till evening

Museum of fire-fighting in Ostrava-Přívoz is extra opened every day untill Sunday evening, so that it can be visited by many participants of CTIF World fire-fighting games. Opening hours are from 8:00 – 19:00.

What will Friday 24 July 2009 bring about?

7:40 – 11:15 – International Fire Brigade Sporting Competitions, 100m obstacle race, Vitkovice stadium

11:45 – Announcement of winners in fire-fighting sport, individual scoring, team scoring, climbing with the hook ladder, 100m obstacle race, duel

12:15 – 14:55 – Traditional International Competition Fire Brigade Competitions („volunteer fire brigade – A“), Fire-fighting attack (dry) and obstacle race.

16:00 – 19:30 – International Fire Brigade Sporting competitions, Fire Brigade obstacle relay race 4×100m

17:00 – 24:00 – Festival tent with live music, Arrows Arena

A success that results from a very close co-operation

After three days of intensive training in the Vitkovice Stadion, all teams are now well prepared to

give their best, and the enthusiasm shown was apparent on all their faces during the whole ceremony. The colourful flags of each nation and the encouraging words from the spectators and the fans also contributed to the highly festive atmosphere. The beautiful and impressive opening ceremony showed the high and challenging quality of the event, which was made possible thanks to the many years of co-operation between CTIF, its commissions and the National Czech Committee. Anton Brandauer, CTIF Vice-President, explains: „The first discussions and preparation work already began four years ago, so as to create ideal conditions both for the adult and youth teams“. Miroslav Štěpán, President of the Czech CTIF National Committee and Director of the Czech Fire and Rescue Service, added: „Thanks to its sports infrastructures and accommodation opportunities, Ostrava offers great conditions for such a magnificent event. It isalso a possibility to introduce the Czech Republic and its fire fighters“. Hans-Heinrich Ullmann, Chairman of the CTIF International Fire Brigades Competitions Commission, is looking forward to the competitions. „On such a huge event, there are, of course, many details to check and agree upon. We therefore worked in close co-operation with the national organisation committee and could clear all points before the competitions”. And Jos Tholl, Chairman of the CTIF Youth Leaders Commission, concludes: „We have been working in a very friendly atmosphere and have made every effort to achieve positive results“.

Fairness and sportive spirit

During the next days, the Olympic fire will burn in the hearts of the fire fighters from all around the world, with the fairness and the sportive spirit that all fire and rescue people share. „I would like to say a sincere “thank you” to the inhabitants and the whole organisation committee of Ostrava for organising this event for us, fire fighters. Your hospitality and your warm welcome is already a guarantee of success for our competitions. In the name of all participants and of CTIF, I would like to thank all the people who were involved in the organisation of this great event“. After giving his thanks, CTIF President Walter Egger declared the International Fire Fighters Competitions and the International Youth Fire Brigades Competitions 2009 in Ostrava officially open. CTIF wishes a successful event to all participants. The official results will be announced on Saturday, 25 July, at 19:00.

Criss cross through Ostrava

Promotion ride SH CMS Pribyslav – Ostrava 2009 which was under way 10 – 17 June 2009 had today 22 July 2009 a postlude. The crew of historical Praga RN from 1934 left their temporary station in local Museum of firefighting and went on a journey through moravia-silesian metropolis to deliver theburner with the fire of International Fire Brigade Competition. Accompanied by the Stramberk Tatra from 1929 and blowing horns they stopped infront of the New Town Hall where they met Mayor of Ostrava ing. Petr Kajnar, who with pleasure rode around Prokes square. Greeted by the citizens and also dozens of sight seeing participants in fire-fighting competitons, Praga finaly arrived to Vitkovice stadium, where during the Opening Ceremony the crew forwarded the fire to the best Czech firefighters.

The exhibition of modern and historical fire-fighting technical equipment

Fans of modern and historical fire-fighting technical equipment had a possibility to come and see the exhibition of old and modern fire trucks which started today infront of CEZ Arena. About 30 pieces of fire-fighting equipment and more than 20 companies manufacturing technical or other products used in fire fighting were to be seen there. Even it was really hot a lot of interested people found their way to this event which will last untill 25 July.

XIV. International Fire Brigade Competition and XVII. International Young Firefighters Meeting on-line: www.ctif2009-ostrava.cz

Audience of several hundred people watched the introduction of countries which participate the Fire Brigade Competition CTIF in Ostrava on the Main Street on Tuesday evening 21. 7. 2009. Raised dedans and the area around the stage were at disposal for all comers other audience watched the show from windows of their flats. Girls and boys from 23 national fire-fighting organisations who one by one performed their shows, also created the part of audience. Each country had approximately 10 minutes to introduce its nation and the performances were evaluated.

The winners were, according to jury, Hungarians presenting belly-dances of young female firefighters in swim suit. On the second place finaly finished the Russian team, who connected their artistical bear show together with notorious song Kalinka. The third position belongs to domestic Czech young firefighters with their song Sladke mameni. (also the neighbours from Slovakia presented their country with songs.)Fourth place went to Italy, they prepared show with ladders and audience were given Italian salami and fruit. Fifth position gained Flag dance by Polish firefighters. Austrians who probably had the most interesting program with fire-eaters, burning their skin with torches and one of them like fakir lying over the spikes, but performed with help of the adult firefighters, finished under the evaluated positions. For instance German youth team choosed brass band music with playing the branchpipes. Swiss went on the stage with cow (neither real nor violet…)and demonstrated the production of chocolate which they threw about the audiance.

Program for today evening

On Wednesday afternoon 22 July 2009 magnificent XIV. International Fire Brigade Competition and XVII. Internationl Young Firefighters meeting begin.

About 3000 participants from 26 countries came together to the Moravian-Silesian region metropolis. From 19 July 2009, the participants concentrate on the finale of Fire Brigade Competitions which are held in four years long interval. Hard training and competitions are supplemented by the large scale of accompanying events.

Opening Ceremony starts on Vitkovice stadium on Wednesday 22 July 2009. From 17:30 audience can have pleasure of Ewa Farna` s concert. Opening ceremony offers music presented by Castle Guard and Police of the Czech Republic, performance of majorettes from Kala Havirov and the smallest firefighters – children from kindergarden Plzen.

Introductory word of the Opening Ceremony gives Ing. Miroslav Vlcek the Speaker of the chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic, the President of the Moravian-Silesian region Ing. Jaroslav Palas, mayor of Ostrava Ing. Petr Kajnar,  president of CTIF Walter Egger and embassador of Slovenia in the Czech Republic Franc But. Maj. Gen. Ing. Miroslav Stepan also participates this event among many other important guests. Youth and adult competitors representatives will recite the vow after the International competitors CTIF chief Josef Hubera signal, then the national Anthem of the Czech Republic will be heard, flags will be hoisted and the symbolic fire will be lit. The final of the opening ceremony will be the concert of Abba Stars and fire-works.

This event is not only athletic performance, but also the social meeting of sportsmen and the senior officials of firefighters from participant countries. Men, women and youth on these competitions always belonged to the world top. The Czech Republic will be represented by youth fire brigade of volunteer firefighters from Piskova Lhota and Chlumec nad Cidlinou. In fire sports it will beselected members of career firefighters, men and women from team of volunteer  firefighters and in classical disciplines men fire brigades of volunteer firefighters from Chlumec nad Cidlinou, Zibohlavy, Frydek-Mistek, Vlcnov, Michalkovice, Bystre v Orlickych horach and fire rescue service of Hradec Kralove region. Women will be represented by volunteer fire brigades from Piskova Lhota, Chlumec nad Cidlinou, Vlcnov and Frydek-Mistek – Skalice.

Preparatories introduce themselves in Poruba

One of the accompanying event of the International Fire Brigade Competition in Ostrava, today 21 July introduced the youngest firefighters of the nursery age. Without a doubt, Poruba Main Street has never experienced such an event.

Mayor of SH CMS Ing. Karel Richter came to meet the seven teams which revenged upon him and large audience by fancy program. For example, Soptici from Domazlice demonstrated CTIF relay, children from Svojetice prepared performance The house is burning, the rescue of the injured person was performed by small firefighters from Brehy u Prelouce and tiny tots from Rokytno feigned fire brigade intervention. Certici from Kunstat choosed to show the story of a naughty school-boy and Sardici from Nosovice illustrated a fire fighting attack. Excercising  with children and music was prepared by one of the most experienced  chief of preparatory Sarka Cernakova from kinder garden Materidouska in Frydek-Mistek.

Fire fighting attack extraleague

The fire fighting attack was presented by volunteer male and female firefighters from Czech Republic on the grass side training field of Vitkovice stadium. Extraleague in fire fighting attack was a part of the accompanying events of the Fire Brigade Competition, nevertheless the struggle for the top positions was held with maximum effort. After first attempts referees evaluated top ten teams which got the second chance to perform their best. The first position gained team SDH Plumov (16,76), the second position was placed by SDH Nevcehle (16,79) and on the third place belongs to SDH Vrbetice (17,08). The exhibition of male firefighters was followed by female part, and the fact that they are not affraid of the attack was proved by the final times of the top three teams: 1. SDH Nevcehle (16,40), 2. SDH Chrastany (17,50), 3. SDH Lhotka (17,59).

History and news in fire-fighting technical equipment

The exhibition of modern and historical fire-fighting technical equipment may be visited by professional and secular public from Wednesday 22. 7. 2009 10am to Saturday 25. 7 2009.  About 30 pieces of fire-fighting equipment and more than 20 companies manufacturing technical or other products used in fire fighting are going to be seen in the area in front of CEZ Arena.

What will Wednesday 22 July 2009 bring about?