Firefighters compete in annual challenge event in Las Vegas

About 100 regional firefighters put their physical abilities to the test last week during the four-day Firefighter Combat Challenge Nevada training.

The five-course race includes a five-story tower climb, a victim rescue with 175-pound Randy the mannequin, and a fire hose target hit, all while in full gear that weighs 50 pounds, said Todd Shelton, operations manager of the Firefighter Combat Challenge.

“This is faster-paced than what we do on the job,” North Las Vegas Fire Department Capt. Ben Erickson said Thursday. Erickson ran the obstacle course in a relay with four other firefighters in under two minutes. “Normally,” he noted, “we pace ourselves, we do more team effort. It may look like we’re going slower, but we don’t overexert ourselves.”

Firefighters from California, Colorado and Texas joined the local fire departments at Cashman Field near downtown Las Vegas for the four-day challenge that ended Friday. Qualifying firefighters nationwide can participate in the U.S. Nationals in Texas next month.

On average, 3,000 firefighters compete in challenges across the nation. Because of the pandemic, some fire departments decided against taking part this year even though equipment is disinfected after every run and strict protocols have been put in place for the events, said Rob O’Connor, spokesman for the Firefighter Combat Challenge.

2020 marks the national tour’s 29th year. The challenge not only helps firefighters get fitter and better at their jobs, Shelton said, it also helps with mental health, post-traumatic stress disorder, camaraderie and boosting morale.

Former world champion Jacqueline Palmer didn’t compete this year, but attended the challenge on Thursday to support firefighters and took part in a run-through of the events.

Becoming a world champion was “incredibly hard,” she said.

“It’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. It took me a couple years to work up to it and to actually get it and it was a huge accomplishment,” said Palmer, who has competed in the challenge for 11 years.

She credited others for helping her reach her achievement. “It wasn’t something I could do by myself. I had my crew that was out training with me every day.”

The Las Vegas firefighter also offered a few pieces of advice and encouragement to competitors: “Don’t quit. Get comfortable being uncomfortable. You’ll pass out long before you die.”

The World Championships, which include firefighters from around the globe, will be Oct. 22-25 in Irving, Texas.

Contact Jannelle Calderon at jcalderon@reviewjournal.com. Follow @NewsyJan on Twitter.