Rules for the CAFC Firefighters Challenge

The Firefighters Challenge

This competitive challenge is a five station competition run in full Bunker Gear with charged SCBAs*. In the Firefighter Challenge, there are twelve (12) competitors. The Challenge is open to male and female firefighters from all member and associate member nations. Safety will be maintained on the course at all times and the decisions and ruling of the safety observer is final.

All participants must meet the following requirements:

• A firefighter with at least one year of departmental service.
• Recommended by their department Training Officer.
• Medically cleared and approved by their Chief Fire Officer (or designated ranking officer) for participation
• Bring their full set of Bunker Gear (minus SCBA) in which to compete
• Individually acknowledge that they are prepared to run the challenge on the day of competition.
• Sign an individual liability waiver before competing.

The Firefighters Challenge is run in two parts. In the First Part (The Competition), each Competitor will individually run the course. They will be judged based on their proper completion of each station; the time spent completing each station, and the total time taken to run the course.

In the Second Part (Final Combat) of the Firefighters Challenge the top three scoring competitors will face off on a three-station competition run at the same time… with the winner being determined by the first competitor to cross the finish line.

The Competition- 5 Station Course

The challenge course is a series of firefighting stations performed by each Challenge competitor.

Every competitor must be from a member nation in good standing with the CAFC and show proof of firefighters training from their assigned station Training Officer, Fire Chief, Deputy Fire Chief or other duly assigned Officer and bring their own full bunker gear. They must also sign a liability waiver form before competing. This is a time based competition for the best time, and run the course in full bunker gear and SCBA. The SCBA will be provided for each competitor. (Training on the competition SCBA will be provided the day before The Challenge event.

Station #1

Each competitor starts in the same level of pre-dress and must don full bunker gear, including the single, competition model of SCBA provided. Scoring is based on time to complete proper equipment assembly. Due to safety issues, permission to move on to station #2 will only be granted once the safety officer has verified the safe and proper donning of bunker gear and SCBA..

Station #2

The competitor starts at grade level with a fully packed hose and must climb 3 flights of stairs and descends the stairs making sure to step on each of the stair steps (to avoid bodily injury).

Station #3

The competitor must then simulate the effort required for forced entry by using a sledge hammer to drive a large un-mounted truck tire flat on the pavement to move a marked distance of 4 feet.

Station #4

The competitor must then successfully ring a bell 30 feet away by aiming a hose through 2 tires.

Station #5

The competitor must finally drag the 145 lb. dummy 75 ft., taking care to hold the dummy by its under arms and not the head.

Final Combat

The top three scoring competitors will face off in Final Combat with the following events:

Station #1

The competitor starts in the same level of pre-dress and must don full bunker gear including the single model of SCBA selected for the competition. Scoring is based on time to complete and proper equipment assembly.

Station #3

The competitor must then simulate the effort required for forced entry by using a sledge hammer to drive a large un-mounted truck tire flat on the pavement to move a marked distance of 4 feet.

Station #5

The competitor must, in this last phase, drag the 145 lb. dummy a distance of 75 ft.

Best of the Best

By email (Challenge@CaribbeanFireChiefs.org), each competing country must (1) submit its intent to send a competitor (and/or alternate) and must (2) indentify the training officer for said competitor and alternate, (3) must indicate how the competitor and/or alternate have trained for the event, must (4) commit to having the competitor and alternate (if sent) complete a health physical examination prior to attending the competition event and (5) must acknowledge that the competitor and/or alternate must be willing to sign liability waivers at the event prior to competing in order to participate.

* SCBAs are supplied by Scott Health and Safety, a Sponsor of Distinction for the CAFC Firefighters Challenge.