Montgomery to Host 2015 World Firefighter Combat Challenge

The battle to find the fittest, fastest and most effective firefighters in the world will be held October 19 – 25, 2015 in downtown Montgomery, Alabama at the SCOTT World Firefighter Combat Challenge. Between 500 and 600 firefighters from all over the world will compete, including representatives from the Montgomery Fire Rescue.

Montgomery Fire Rescue’s relay team won the 2014 Regional, National and World Firefighter Combat Challenge Relay title, breaking world record times twice with a final speed of 1:07:22. Montgomery Fire Chief Miford Jordan attributes the recent ISO rating of 1, which is the highest standard of readiness for Fire Rescue teams, in part to the readiness, fitness and training that the department undertakes for the challenge. “The way that we prepare for this challenge is the way that we prepare to serve the people of Montgomery, “said Jordan.

Montgomery has hosted regional Firefighter Combat Challenges in 2011, 2012 and 2014 and the National Challenge in 2013. This year’s world level event is expected to create between 2600 – 3000 room nights and will have an estimated economic impact of around $650,000.

The SCOTT Firefighter Combat Challenge® has been seen on ESPN for a dozen years! The Challenge seeks to encourage firefighter fitness and demonstrate the profession's rigors to the public. Wearing "full bunker gear" and the SCOTT Air-Pak breathing apparatus, pairs of competitors race head-to-head as they simulate the physical demands of real-life firefighting by performing a linked series of five tasks including climbing the 5-story tower, hoisting, chopping, dragging hoses and rescuing a life-sized, 175 lb. "victim" as they race against themselves, their opponent and the clock.

Several rounds of competition will take place throughout the week. The competition will be held on an obstacle course set up in a parking lot at the corner of Tallapoosa and Commerce Streets. The public is encouraged to attend this action packed, family friendly, FREE event. A Top Chef Firefighter District Cook-off Competition will also be held in conjunction with the event and kids can run their own scaled-down version of the challenge as well as get rides on Fire Trucks.

For more information on the National Firefighter Combat Challenge contact Russell Collier at 334-6252469 or e-mail at rcollier@montgomeryal.gov.

About Montgomery, “A Cool Capital City on the Move” Centrally located along the Alabama River in the heart of the Southeast, Montgomery is steeped in the history of world-changing events and is in the midst of another change – a complete reemergence. From a revitalized downtown to an array of new museums, restaurants, attractions and accommodations, the riverfront capital city is quickly becoming one of the newest must-see travel destinations in the South. Learn more about all that Montgomery has to offer at www.visitingmontgomery.com.