LARGO — The Largo Fire Rescue Extrication Team, or LXT, traveled around the world in mid-September to compete in a prestigious international competition in Karlovac, Croatia.
And although the specialized vehicle-rescue squad didn’t bring home the top prize in the World Rescue Organization’s 2025 World Rescue Challenge, the 10-member team finished in 10th place overall after placing third in two of three complex rescue scenarios, according to the city.
Members of the Largo Fire Rescue Extrication Team participated in the Belleair Bluffs Fourth of July Picnic this year to help raise funds for their trip to Croatia in September.
Photos by JEFF ROSENFIELD/TBN
On Oct. 21, city officials recognized the team, which is led by Lt. William “Billy” Stark, who spoke about his team’s impressive accomplishment.
He said there were “37 teams representing 19 countries competing for the title of ‘world’s best.’”
Stark said the competition featured “elite rescue units from across the globe, teams with decades of competitive history and extensive international support. … Despite the level of competition, Largo achieved a tremendous milestone, earning third place in two separate event categories,” which he labeled as an accomplishment that “firmly places the city of Largo among the top vehicle rescuers in the world.”
He then spoke about the LXT’s makeup.
“What truly defines this team is not what they won but who they are, how they train, and what they represent,” noting the 10 team members “each bring unique strengths to contribute to one unstoppable unit … who together embody the city of Largo’s core values-integrity, collaboration and excellence. And they have now carried those values onto the world stage.”
The Largo Fire Rescue Extrication Team is an elite 10-member squad that specializes in vehicle rescues, as the team demonstrated during an open house at Station 41 in March.
Photos by JEFF ROSENFIELD/TBN
In closing, Stark said, “when this team steps onto the competition floor bearing the name ‘Largo,’ they carry every resident, every firefighter, every city employee and every leader in this room with them. Their performance showed to the world that we might not be the biggest city, but we are among the most capable, innovative and committed.
“The citizens we serve are safer today because the team constantly pushes itself to learn, grow and lead.”
City officials praised the team for another impressive showing on the global stage.
“I got to see them a few years ago in Croatia, and it was impressive,” Mayor Woody Brown said while noting he felt it was more difficult for them to work over there “because the cars were way smaller! So, that was interesting.
“But they do a great job, they represent us very well, and more importantly, they come back here and teach their colleagues in the department the state-of-the-art ways to get people out of cars. They’re saving lives here around our city regularly.”
City Manager John Curp agreed, stating the team competing in international events “creates a culture of excellence in the department that carries through all the work that they do, So, it’s more than just sending them on a trip. It’s about creating a culture in the fire department that we’re very proud of.”