For the third year in a row, I had the marvellous satisfaction to participate in the British Firefighter Challenge at Bury St Edmunds.
5 stages of pain
Now, If you haven’t heard about The British Firefighter Challenge before let me tell you a little bit about it. It is an annual event that enables male and female firefighters to confront themselves in 8 different drills.
1. Stair Ascent
Going up the staircase with your hand always holding on to the external rail (three floors). The competitor can skip a step or two as long as they are holding on to the rail. Failure of this will result in a 2-second penalty.
2. Harken Haul Aloft
After reaching the top of the tower, the competitor must haul up a rolled hose and place it into the box provided. If the hose does not make it into the provided box it will result in a 2-second penalty.



3. Stair Descent
Now the competitor must get down the tower as soon as possible! They must hold on to the external rail and not miss one step. Skipping a step will result in a 2-second penalty.
4. Corhaven Force
Once they have made it back on the ground they are required to perform the ‘force entry’ task. The competitor must have both feet on the platform and using the hammer provided, hit the mass through the full length of the device. If they fail to hammer the weight to the end it will result in a 2-second penalty per inch missed. Failing to put the hammer on the mat will also result in a 2-second penalty.


5. Angus Fire Hose Drag
Sounds easy, looks easy but it’s not easy at all. The competitors have to connect one end of the hose to the pump, pick up the other end and drag it 60 metres to the marked line. The branch must be dropped over the line to complete this stage. No connection between the hose and pump will result in a 10-second penalty. Misplacing the hose branch will also result in a 10-second penalty.
6. Angus Fire Hose Make Up
The competitors are required to roll up or fold up a 70 meter long Fire hose. Once this is achieved, the hose needs to be fully placed into the provided storage. If the hose is not completely placed in the box it costs (you guessed it) another 5-second penalty.


7. Container Carry
The contestant now has to carry containers weighing in at an awesome 4 20kg over a short length and place them in the marked area provided. Sliding the container or not placing them in the provided area will result in a 2-second penalty per case.



8. Ruth Lee Casualty Rescue
Also known as the dummy drag. The adult human-sized and weighted dummy must be dragged from its location to the finish line. It is the most exhausting stage of the competition and requires a lot of strength to complete it. The referee is there to guide you to walk in your lane. Needless to say at this stage the contestants are tired, delirious and dehydrated but, should you happen to steer away from your lane this incurs a 5-second penalty per incident.



SPONSORS
Let’s not forget about the amazing companies who help British Firefighter Challenge every year! Would you like to help become a sponsor? Get in touch with BFC Team!
Breeze Event Production SGC Security Services Concertus Ruth Lee Skills For Justice Emergency One Angus Fire Corhaven Harken Industrial iPro Sport Ballyclare A1Throphies Drager PBI Performance Products Delta Fire James Latham Sainsbury’s Hunter
Are you planning an event? Get in touch! I would love to be a part of it!