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Dec. 20, 2006
Shelley Szafraniec, APR
Community Information Specialist

FIREFIGHTERS HOLD THEIR OWN AT WORLD FIREFIGHTER COMBAT CHALLENGE

Going against more than 700 competitors, five members of Volusia County Fire Services held their own during the Firefighter Combat Challenge world competition in Nevada. Competing from Volusia County Fire Services was Logan Eichler, Alex Klepper, Dave Kuypers, Brett Pittman and Brian Sullivan.

The team competed as individuals, tandem (two-man) and relay; and with their strong showing were about to qualify for the first time to compete in the finals of two events - tandem and relay. As individuals, three out of the five team members broke personal records - Alex Klepper (2:20), Dave Kuypers (2:09), and Brian Sullivan (1:47).

“To give you an idea of the level of competition, there were more than 700 competitors and only 20 individual teams were taken, 16 tandem teams and 64 relay teams,” according to team member Brian Sullivan.

Competing first in the tandem, the team made two runs at one minute and 29 seconds and another at one minute and 22 seconds - top times according to Sullivan. However, due to a five second penalty on the first run, the team placed tenth overall.

Competing in the final relay, a single elimination tournament, the team was paired against the two-time World Champions and World Record holders from Travis Air Force Base. Although the team was beat by four seconds, they ran a one minute and 20 second run - their best since 2001.

According to Sullivan, the Firefighter Combat Challenge is an extreme event that will push even the best athlete to their limit. For the events, there are five stations that are approached in three different categories of competition - individual/team, relay, and tandem.

“For example, part of one station includes an ascent of a 45-foot tower while carrying a 45-pound hose pack,” said Sullivan. “Then, from the top of the tower the hose pack is dropped and another 45-pound hose is hoisted from the ground. Competitors next have to sprint down the tower stairs making sure they hit every step before running over to pick up a mallet and drive a 175-pound beam five feet.”

The final station is arguably the most difficult, according to Sullivan. A 175-pound mannequin is dragged backward 100 feet before crossing the finish line.

“Probably the most amazing aspect is that throughout the entire event, competitors also are wearing approximately 60 pounds of gear,” said Sullivan.

The Volusia County Firefighter Combat Challenge team was formed in 2000.

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