Over 100 firefighters compete to be the fastest and fittest

Palmerston North will play host to the UFBA’s North Island Firefighter Combat Challenge this coming weekend. Head over to The Square to watch over 100 firefighters vie for position as the North Island’s fittest and fastest in emergency response.

This is our most popular challenge event and an enjoyable glimpse into the physical demands of firefighting. This competitive trial of endurance, strength and stamina tests competitors against each other in a gauntlet of challenges designed to simulate a rescue operation. Dubbed the ‘toughest two minutes in sport’, this isn’t undertaken by NZ’s finest athletes but by everyday volunteer and career firefighters pushing themselves to their personal limits.

Some of these community first responders come from all walks of life including plumbers, bankers, teachers and office workers, yet each respond to the call to support their communities in times of emergency. ‘Our UFBA events support firefighters from across the country to learn from each other, network and compete in a fun, safe and competitive environment. It’s an exciting opportunity for career and volunteer, rural, urban, defence, industry and airport brigade members to come together in one event,’ says UFBA CEO Bill Butzbach.

Join us to encourage, meet and support our community heroes, who donned in their firefighter gear:

• take on the 6-storey tower
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• hoist 19kg
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• chop a beam 1.5m with a 4kg hammer
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• hose a target
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• drag 85kg ‘Rescue Randy’ Dummy 30.5m
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Our firefighters are pillars of communities across New Zealand, committing their time as emergency first responders to some of the worst scenes imaginable. This is a great opportunity for anyone to discover more about this role or for youngsters interested in learning about and pursuing a career in emergency first response.

Join your hosts the UFBA from 8.30am-4.30pm, this Saturday 6th April.

About the UFBA - The United Fire Brigades’ Association is the leading not-for-profit association supporting fire brigades of all types across New Zealand. We’ve been representing and supporting firefighters for 140 years. Find out more at www.ufba.org.nz.

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