The FireFit Championship, held in Humboldt on August 23 and 24, pitted some of the best firefighters against each other in friendly competitions. It was a test of skill, knowledge, endurance and determination to see the top teams and individuals emerge over the two days.
Participants raced up a 60-step tower, deploying gear, extracting weighted dummies, and toting all their gear to amass points in the competition. There were categories for men and women, for different age categories – including a command and rookie team-up, and for relay teams.
Spectators had a close-up view of the activity as the drama unfolded through various events. Teams came from Saskatchewan communities like Shaunavon and Assiniboia, and also from distances like Ontario.
Nolan Lucier comes from Sarnia, ON, representing Lambton College’s firefighting program. He’s a recent graduate getting set to enter the profession, and the FireFit Championship allows him to network with professionals from other areas and showcase his and his team’s talent. The program is two years in length, the only one of its kind in the country, says Lucier.
It (FireFit challenge) is the most enthralling sport I’ve ever been a part of,” Lucier says. “I grew up playing hockey and baseball at a competitive level, and I’ve always had that edge to put myself forward and be the best athlete I can be. This sport has not only enabled me to do that, but to also network with full time firefighters.”
The sport has spurred Lucier to push himself to his physical limits in a test of physical strength and endurance, but of mental stamina as well.
“The dummy drag at the end of the course is one of the most demanding tasks that one would ever perform – in their career, in sport, in anything.”
Lucier is from farm country in Ontario, but he says there’s some striking differences in the vista once you get into the prairies around Humboldt. It’s also a friendly part of the country, Nolan deduced, based on a fifteen-minute conversation he had with a stranger inquiring about the team when they first arrived in their hotel lobby.
“I’ve also been impressed with the pleasantries of all the local people. It’s very friendly, and I really love it here.”
There is a strong sense of camaraderie among the competitors along with an eagerness to explain the elements of the competition to spectators.
The event wrapped up on Sunday with winners decided in all the categories. Top result in the men’s category went to Brad Dicks of the Strathcona County Fire Department, which top women’s honours went to Randi Cown of the Regina Fire Department. The top team went to the Lambton College Fire School Crew.
More results are available on the FireFit website.