There are different ways to learn than just in a classroom. And we all agree firefighters are a competitive bunch. So this year Firehouse Expo is offering firefighters the opportunity to compete in the inaugural Fire-Rescue Competition. The timed competition will simulate a Mayday involving a downed firefighter and will require teams to perform a relay rescue operation to search, locate and extract the downed firefighter. The three fastest, most efficient times will move on to the finals on Saturday, July 18.
The goal of this competition is to provide an opportunity for firefighters from around the region to showcase their skills in a competitive venue and with an audience watching. The skills required to successfully complete the assigned tasks replicate those commonly performed during firefighting or rescue operations.
A voluntary pre-conference training session will be provided the day before the competition for all registered teams. The training will include classroom instruction and hands-on training using the props that will be used during the competition. Skills being evaluated during the competition include:
- Command and control operations
- Personnel accountability and reporting
- Fireground communications
- Forcible entry techniques
- Navigating a diminishing clearance obstacle
- Overcoming entanglement hazards
- Up and over/lifts and carries
- Wall breach
- Victim search, packaging and removal
- Restricted opening rescue and removal operations
Applications are currently being accepted for state and regional conferences interested in hosting a qualifying event for the 2016 National Championships. For this year’s event, the top three teams in regional events being offered at Fire-Rescue East (Daytona, Fla.) Smokey Mountain Weekend (Pigeon Forge, Tenn.) and the Maryland Fireman’s Convention (Ocean City, Md.) are slated to participate in this year’s championship. All events are being Powered by Firehouse. Whoever is named national champions will take home a trophy and bragging rights … until next year’s event!
For a complete description of the competition, event rules, grading criteria and team registration information, visit FirehouseExpo.com.
