Some of the country’s fittest and most skilled firefighters will be put to the test in Christchurch this weekend as they compete in the annual United Fire Brigades’ Association (UFBA) South Island Firefighter Challenge.
More than 110 firefighters from across the South Island will take part in the competition at Hagley Park Netball Courts on Saturday, 29 March.
The event runs from 8:30am to around 5pm and is free for the public to watch.
Source: Firefighter Challenge
Firefighters from urban, rural, industrial, and defence force brigades — both paid and volunteer — will race against each other and the clock, showcasing the incredible physical demands of their work. Competitors will be in full personal protective equipment and breathing apparatus as they tackle the gruelling course.
Events include climbing a six-storey tower carrying a 19-kilogram hose, hauling a 20-kilogram hose coil to the top, and striking a beam with a four-kilogram shot hammer to simulate forcible entry. They will then charge through saloon doors to hit a target with a live hose stream before dragging an 81-kilogram mannequin over 30 metres to the finish line.
Competitors have trained all year for the challenge, which is based on a similar event in the United States. The event not only pushes their physical and mental limits but also gives the public a unique insight into the endurance, strength, and skill required in real-life firefighting.
The South Island challenge is a key lead-up event to the UFBA National Firefighter Challenge, which will be held in May.
