October 4, 2006

Cadets qualify for World competition

       Five cadet firefighters from the White River Township Fire Department participated last week in the Tyco/Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge regional event in Evansville, Indiana.  Cadet firefighters are high school students who wish to pursue a career as a firefighter and receive training and education while still in school in order to propel them after graduation.

         The Combat Challenge is an obstacle course that was originally a firefighter fitness evaluation conducted by Dr. Paul Davis from the Boston area.  It has now grown to a National Event that has gained in popularity over the past decade.  The Challenge, proclaimed to be “the toughest two minutes in sports”, is made up of five combined events while wearing full firefighting gear and breathing air from a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA). Those events consist of:

1. 5-Story stair climb while carrying a 42lb Hotel Pack (hose fold)
2. Raising a 42lb hose roll up the 5-story wall by a rope.
3. Completing a forcible entry simulator with a 9lb shot mallet.
4. Negotiating a slalom course for a distance of 140 feet, advancing a charged hose line 140 feet, and then hitting a target with the stream.
5. Dragging a 175lb rescue dummy 100 feet to the finish.
    

          Individuals or teams wanting to compete in the World Championship in Las Vegas, Nevada in November must first qualify at one of approximately nineteen regional events by meeting or exceeding a minimum time score. 

         The cadet team from White River was the youngest relay team to ever compete AND qualify for the World Championship.  Due to a miscue, the team was unable to qualify on its first attempt, however, after regrouping, were able to qualify under the required time limit on its second attempt.  "The crowd went crazy when they qualified", said Steve Coover, a Fire Prevention Officer for the White River Township Fire Department and also the team's coach.  "These kids did an unbelievable and outstanding job", when referring to the tremendous mental and physical challenges they endured, he added.

         The cadet team is made up of Kyle Blue, who performed the stair climb, Chris Pelley, who performed the hose hoist, Brian Baker, who performed the forcible entry simulator, Chris Flack who performed the hose drag, and Matt Templin who completed the dummy drag.  The members of the White River Township Fire Department are extremely proud of the team's accomplishments and wish them the best of luck in the future.

         More information about the Tyco/Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge can be found by visiting their web site by clicking HERE.
 
   

        

        
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