The National Firefighter Challenge kicked off Saturday morning in downtown Erie, bringing firefighters from across the globe to compete in what participants call the “Toughest Two Minutes in Sports.”
The first day of competition took over Perry Square, where crowds gathered to watch firefighters test their strength, endurance and skill in a series of demanding tasks that simulate real-life firefighting conditions.
More than 100 firefighters from around the world are competing throughout the week. Participants say the event is about more than winning. It also highlights the physical fitness and preparation required for the job.
“I haven’t been on the fire department that long, so I can’t speak to that necessarily, but this requires a lot of fitness. Just because you’re good at this doesn’t mean you’re going to be good at firefighting, but if you put in the work and train for it, it’s definitely going to help,” said Nathaniel Gardner, a second-year participant.
Competitors earn the nickname “Toughest Two Minutes in Sports” by completing a challenging course that includes climbing six flights of stairs carrying a 45-pound high-rise pack, hoisting a 45-pound hose load, striking a steel beam, advancing a charged hose line 85 feet, and finishing with a 175-pound rescue dummy drag.
Among the competitors is world-record holder Lianne McAuley of Stone Mills Fire Rescue in Ontario, Canada. McAuley has competed in the challenge for seven years and says she hopes to inspire women of all ages to pursue their goals.
“Hopefully it shows women in sport that, even at a certain age, and I’m 62 now, you can still do what’s required in this job. You just have to do the work,” McAuley said.