Since the YFA started, the West Midlands Fire Service has entered a youth team into every CTIF (which translated stands for the Technical Committee for the prevention and extinction of Fire) competition.

This is not so much an award, more of an achievement and honor on the members part to be successfully selected and represent their brigade and country abroad.

The West Midlands team, consisting of members from all branches of the YFA, has been the sole representative of the United Kingdom in the competition on more than one occasion.

In the past, our team has battled against over 35 other countries, for a place on the leaders board.  Host countries in the past have included Finland, Germany, Denmark and France.

The actual competition is spread over a week, but there is months of preparation and training beforehand for young people and instructors alike.

The competition comes in two parts:
 

• The Relay Race - each member is required to run a leg of a 400 meter race while negotiating obstacles such as climbing over an 8ft high gate to crawling through a tunnel.
  

• The Obstacle Drill - the team has to run lengths of hose out over an obstacle course with features including a ditch jump, a balancing beam and knot tying.  The completion of the drill is marked when a target is knocked down using water and a hand held pump.
  

Every member chosen has always responded positively to the training given and worked well within a team.  Members have always been congratulated by the Chief Fire Officer for their smart appearance and high levels of discipline during the competition, each receiving a certificate and badge as a reminder of their achievements.