For the past eight years firefighters from around the country have descended upon the Rose City to compete in the Firefighters Combat Challenge and the challenge is coming back to Tyler in just a couple of weeks.

The Firefighters Combat Challenge features challenges that are unique to firefighters and the competition pits them against each other in a racing course that features obstacles that firefighters might encounter during their day to day activities or while fighting a fire. Tyler Fire Chief Tim Johnson says,

The Combat Challenge is a unique competition between firefighters from all over the state. They compete against each other doing the things they do in their job, skills that are the craft of our profession. At the end of the day the fastest time wins.” (press release)

The challenge course is designed and based upon a university based study for the U.S Fire Administration with the intent to design a test that could be used to identify potential new firefighters.

Competitions include:

  • Highrise hose carry
  • Hose Hoist
  • Force Entry
  • Hose Advance
  • Victim Rescue

The event will be held on the south parking lot of Broadway Square Mall (near Sears) on Oct. 4-5. The event is free for the public to stop by and check out the competition which will be happening Friday from 4:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. and again Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Tyler Firefighters Cancer Awareness Relief Effort (C.A.R.E.) will be at the Firefighters Combat Challenge selling pink t-shirts in honor of breast cancer awareness month.

Check out pics from previous events on their Facebook page!

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