Rookie Firefighter Challenge pushes physical limits Published June 15, 2010 By Connie Hempel 17th Training Wing Public Affairs GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- They were firefighters for a day tackling challenges firefighters are faced with every day. The 312th Training Squadron's quarterly Rookie Firefighter Challenge at the Louis F. Garland Fire Academy June 12 put 24 teams against each other, pushing them to the limit with various firefighting exercises during what's often called the "toughest two minutes in sports." "This was a good way for us to boost morale around the school and give the base an example of the things firefighters endure on a daily basis," said Marine Staff Sgt. Christopher Pickett, fire academy instructor. "It's a good competition and we always encourage everyone on base to participate to see what they're made of." The timed competition was a relay with five members from each team competing in different firefighting scenarios. To start, participants carried a 45-pound high-rise (hose) pack up five stories and then hoisted another 45-pound rolled hose up the same distance. After running back down the building, they pounded a sledge hammer against a 150-pound block, representing forceable entry. Next, competitors had to drag a fully charged hose 75 feet while aiming at a target placed 10 feet away. Finally, they simulated a rescue by dragging a 175-pound dummy 100 feet across the finish line. "It's difficult taking the 45-pound high-rise pack all the way up the stairs because your legs start giving out and a lot of people have a hard time hoisting the hose roll up five stories," Sergeant Pickett said. "I was impressed with the participants because they really pushed each other and did a good job." When the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines team - called SAMS squad - is made up of fire academy instructors and when they train on the course as a relay team, they are able to finish in one minute, 17 seconds while fully decked out in firefighter gear: helmet, gloves, pants, boots, mask and air pack, Sergeant Pickett said. During the Rookie Firefighter Challenge, competitors wore the same, with the exception of a mask. Team No Clue, Marine Corps Pfcs. Daniel Gonsalez, Jonathan Dayhoff, Jonathan Combellack, Daniel Pierce and Zachary Defresne finished in first place, completing the course in one minute, 43 seconds. Second place was team Dirty Hose finishing the course in one minute, 45 seconds and third place was team Mosquito Wings defeating a team of base commanders, Grumpy Old Men.
