The festive opening of the 14th International CTIF Fire Brigades Competitions and the 17th CTIF International Youth Fire Brigades Competitions took place on Wednesday 22 July in the Czech city of Ostrava. The ceremony was attended by Miroslav Vlček, Chairman of the Czech Parliament, Jaroslav Palas, Commissioner for the Moravian-Silesian Region, and Petr Kajnar, Mayor of Ostrava. They warmly welcomed all participants to the Czech Republic. CTIF President Walter Egger reminded all teams and the numerous spectators of how important it is to hold such an international gathering: „with more than 3,000 fire fighters from 28 nations, everyone will have the opportunity to create new links and friendships. These international contacts guarantee a future of understanding and respect of the neighbour country, that we can trust on any occasion“.

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

Introduction of nations on the Main Street

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.