Written about us

Professional fire-fighters competition in Paks
Fejér county has won the Cup

Competition always meant a lot to fire-fighters. In 1750s student fire brigades were formed in Sárospatak and Debrecen. They were the first organised and trained fire-fighters in Hungary. Even to be admitted to the fire service they had to lift a 170cm long gerudium rod, weighing 8 kilograms with one hand, and hold it in outstretched hand. Those who failed couldn't have become the members of the fire team.
The "Voluntary Gymnastic Fire Societies' formed in Arad in 1835, then formed after the Reconciliation had sport, competitive spirit even in their names. At the beginnings members were allowed to compete inside their own societies, as their fire-hoses weren't unified. The teams of two different settlements couldn't connect their appliances since the hose- couplings were different. They were the reasons why count Ödön Széchenyi called to unify Hungarian Fire Service. Union in spirit, will, and deeds.
The first national competition was held in Szabadka, on 14 August 1893. The National Fire Association Committee decided to hold the competition regularly from then on. And they were held. Only during the wars they weren't organised. Competitions were held on district and county level annually, on region and national level every second year. There were different categories for professional public fire services, later for municipal -, voluntary -, facility - and student fire services. Actually, the same system is still in operation today. There was a time when these competitions were held at the same time and at the same place. Afterwards, since the end of the 80s the professional organisation has become a separate branch.
A regular cup called Ödön Széchenyi was organised. These competitions were held in ASE Sports ground, Paks between 21-23 June 2002.
Besides the team from the capital city 19 county fire services and the fire-fighters of the airport Ferihegy entered for the competition. Fire Services from abroad were invited and the Russian, Croatian, Slovene and Romanian teams accepted the invitation and took part in the Cup. They competed in a different category. The ATOMIX team took part in the competition outside competition.
Dr Attila Tatár fire service Brigadier General, the deputy general director of the Home Office (BM) Disaster Protection Department greeted the guests present at the opening meeting in the presence of Csaba Baji, the General Director of Paks NPP, Ferenc Tóth, the member of Parliament and László Bagdy, the deputy mayor of Paks.
The competition started the following day and went on until twelve o'clock next day. The ten-member teams entered for the competition in four events.

- 100-metre 'obstacle' racing, where the competitors had to overcome the obstacles- panels, beams etc.- while assembling the extinguishing hoses as well.
- Climbing ladders with hooks at the end. Competitors had to get to the third floor with a four-metre long, 30cm wide ladder weighing 8.5 kg with hooks at the end.
- 4x100 relay race. Competitors had to overcome obstacles, assembly hoses and at the end of the track they had to put out a fire on a tray with a portable fire extinguisher.
- Assembling portable, low-powered engine extinguisher hosepipes. Competitors had to couple the suction and the pressure appliances of their own hosepipes, then to lay out the hose and fill up a 10l tank with water trough a 5 cm diameter hole.

The final scores were determined by taking into account and adding the results achieved by the individuals and teams. Naturally, prizes were awarded for individual achievements and for fulfilment in different numbers. Apart from it all participating teams were given a diploma. The fire service teams from abroad competed in a special category. The ATOMIX Ltd. fire-fighters took part in the Cup outside the competition. They belong not to the professional but the full-time facility fire services.
This year the count Ödön Széchenyi Cup has been awarded to the team of the best firemen from Fejér County for a year. They will represent the Hungarian Fire Service during the international competition organised by the Slovak Fire Service in Besztercebánya on 22,23 August 2002.
The prizes were handed over to the winners by Dr. Tibor Pál, State Secretary of the Home office, Dr. György Bakondy, general director of Disaster Protection Department, and Dr. Attila Tatár, fire service Brigadier General, and deputy general director.
Imre Bor, the Mayor of Paks gave a special prize to József Fiola, the best fireman of the team from Paks. He was also awarded as the oldest competitor with a special prize, given by a lawyer, Dr. László Wartig.
However the team of ATOMIX Ltd. Fire Service entered for the cup beyond competition, they were among the first best three teams.
Dr. Attila Pál in his speech told about the best wishes and greetings of the Minister, and also about the great development, which will be carried out at the Fire Service in the following years.
Dr. György Bakondy said thanks to the competitors in his closing speech for their heroic strength and stamina in the scorching heat. The competitors gave evidence that the fire-fighters can always be relied on. He thanked the organisers and the assisting staff for their work: the Paks Town Fire Service and Local Authorities; the management, the fire-fighters and the sports club of the Paks Nuclear Power Plant; the employees of the County Disaster Protection Department and everyone who promoted help in holding the competition in any way.

July 22. 2002

István Csögley
Retired fire service Lieutenant-Colonel