FLOWERY BRANCH - Despite hot and humid conditions, firefighters from across the country and Canada began competition Friday afternoon at the Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge in Hall County.
The Hall County Fire Department hosted a stop on the competition tour for the first time. In addition to playing host, several members of the Hall County Fire Department competed in the challenge at Stonebridge Village off of Interstate 985.
The Hall County Fire Department hosted a stop on the competition tour for the first time. In addition to playing host, several members of the Hall County Fire Department competed in the challenge at Stonebridge Village off of Interstate 985.
While there are teams from across the country and Canada, Montgomery, Alabama's fire department is the defending champion. Firefighter Oliber Wells is a new member of that department this year.
"It is tough. They call it the toughest two minutes in sports because we have so many different obstacles that really work a ton of muscular groups in your body at one time."
In the course, firefighters climb a multistory tower with a rolled up hose on their shoulder. Once on top, they drop the hose and hoist another attached to a rope up the tower. They then descend the tower stairs and begin the ground portion of the run.
On the ground, firefighters pound a kiser sled with a sledge hammer, run through obstacles and drag a charged fire hose back down the course. Competitors use that hose to douse a simulated fire and move on to drag a simulated victim across a finish line.
Firefighters wear their full firefighting gear during the competition, complete with mask and air tank.
"I had practiced through it several times, just not with my full gear on, breathing air and all that, and i think the heat mixed with that extra 60-70 pounds of gear, it got to me," Hall County Firefighter Marlana Crews said after her first run.
While Hall County Chief Jeff Hood has competed in the challenge several times during his career, it's the first time the Hall department has fielded a team or hosted an event.
"One of the big things he (Chief Hood) told me before I went, because we have to pull a hose up 45 feet, was to wet my gloves," Hall County Firefighter Adrian Hamilton said. "The first thing he told me was just to have fun."
Hall County Fire Services placed third in the team event Friday. Sgt. Seth Satterfield received recognition for Best Time for a Greenhorn, or first time competitor.
The competition continues Saturday.
