The FireFit Championships tour the country every year to test the skills required by firefighters in emergency situations. This year, Courtenay hosted the season-opener with the province’s only competition and welcomed competitors from Yukon, Alberta, B.C., and the state of Washington.
Around 50 firefighters competed in this gruelling two-day competition that drew cheers of support from a lively crowd on May 27 and 28.
Firefighting competitors had to navigate their way through a series of arduous challenges while wearing their work gear, all while under a radiant weekend sun, alone on Saturday or in teams the following day.
A section of 4th Street, between Cliffe and Duncan Avenue, was closed to traffic. An imposing three-story tall metal structure was erected, along with the obstacle course needed to offer its competitors what is commonly known as “the toughest two minutes in sports.”
Competitors faced numerous real-life situations that the first responders have to confront, such as dragging a 175-pound dummy more than 30 metres or skillfully using a fire hose, in a timed event.
Among those competing was Courtenay Deputy Fire Chief Jonathan Welsh. A veteran of the event, he has been competing for the last 21 years in FireFit competitions and represented his hometown of Courtenay on the world stage in an international competition held in Las Vegas.
His experienced spoke for itself; Welsh took home silver in the solo event.
“I finished second behind Jordan King from Edmonton; an excellent racer and we were two competitors over 40 years old. It was good to represent the old guys,” Welsh said.
He repeated a similar feat the next day, leading his team, the Ropes and Hoses, to bronze behind crews from Kamloops and Edmonton.
Among Welsh’s team was compatriot and organizer of the event Lt. Ian Robertson.
Back in 2018, Roberston formed a committee that permitted the city to welcome its first FireFit competition a year later.
Robertson credits the success of the event in large part to the hard work of 50 volunteers, as well as the sustained support from their sponsors and the city of Courtenay.
“We just had absolutely incredible buy-in from the sponsorships, the community partners,” said Robertson. “They were just so, so giving, so generous.”
Despite the challenges that an event this size can entail, everything went smoothly, he said.
Robertson highlighted that this kind of event represents a fantastic opportunity for Courtenay to showcase its potential.
“This year, all I’m getting are good reviews,” Robertson added. “Back in 2019, it was the same thing. People loved it. [Competitors and spectators] love coming to Courtenay. I would call this a glowing success.”
For more information and the competition’s results, visit firefit.com
READ MORE: Courtenay to host the BC Regionals FireFit Championships
olivier.laurin@comoxvalleyrecord.com
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