Firefighters face their “toughest two minutes” in Wellington

13 March 2013

Firefighters face their “toughest two minutes” in Wellington next weekend

The “toughest two minutes in sport” – the National Firefighter Combat Challenge – is coming to Wellington’s Waterfront on Friday and Saturday, 21 and 22 March, drawing 150 firefighters from throughout New Zealand, who will race against each other and the clock to prove they are tough enough to take on one of the most physically and mentally grueling event in sport.

This will be the second year that Wellington has been chosen as the host city for this exciting and crowd-pleasing Challenge – organised by the United Fire Brigades’ Association for its members. The event is designed to encourage firefighter fitness and safety while demonstrating the rigours of the job to the public. Competitors wear full bunker gear and breathing apparatus as they take on a series of tasks that simulate the demands of real-life firefighting. The Challenge is a US import that was introduced in New Zealand in 2007, and has become more and more popular among men and women of all ages serving in both volunteer and career brigades.

Alongside the main event, a Kids Combat Challenge will be running for aspiring firefighters from ages 3 to 10, and the New Zealand Fire Service will be on site promoting fire safety messages. atmosphere to add to the experience for spectators.

“The Firefighter Combat Challenge creates a great atmosphere and an interesting spectacle for the public,” says George Verry, Chief Executive Officer. “It is a great day out for the family. This year will be particularly exciting with several of our competitors running the course under two minutes.”

“This event tends to draw a crowd – which also presents us with a great opportunity to remind the community about volunteerism and the huge role firefighters have in protecting every community in New Zealand.”

The National Firefighter Combat Challenge is free to the public, and people of all ages are encouraged to stop by Odlins Plaza at the Cable Street entrance of the Waterfront to watch the action. The competitors will be running on the course from 4 to 6 pm on Friday, 21 March and from 10am to 4pm on Saturday, 22 March.

ENDS

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