Bracebridge challenges other fire departments.
Will your department answer the call? The Bracebridge Fire Department is challenging firefighters from across the Simcoe-Muskoka region to take part in the fall fair’s firefighter challenge on Sunday, September 16. While Muskoka Lakes and Minden have each entered one team so far, Bracebridge appears to have an early advantage with two teams entered. (Submitted photo)
BRACEBRIDGE - Bracebridge firefighters are challenging their regional rivals to step up at the Bracebridge Fall Fair’s annual firefighter challenge this weekend.
While the Muskoka Lakes and Minden fire departments have each entered one team into the competition, the Bracebridge fire department appears to have an early advantage so far with two teams entered. Bracebridge firefighter Josh Campbell, however, is hoping to round up some stiffer competition from across the Simcoe-Muskoka region by the time the event begins.
“We’re hoping to get a few more (firefighters),” he said. “We are looking to get the word out to all volunteer departments in the Simcoe-Muskoka, Haliburton and Parry Sound area.”
The challenge, which takes place on Sunday, September 16 at 11:30 a.m. at the JD Lang Activity Park, puts firefighters into teams of two and tests them on a variety of firefighting skills. The team with the best combined time will take home the Bracebridge Challenge Cup trophy.
“The course includes a stair climb, hose pull, forcible entry machine, obstacle course, charged hose pull, and then a dummy drag,” Campbell said.
Campbell said the event has experienced a decline in participation over the years. Compared to the eight firefighters registered so far this year, 12 took part in the challenge last year, and 16 the year before.
But given the strong participation seen in the emergency services challenge at the Bracebridge Highland Games last month, Campbell is hopeful that firefighters from across the region will answer the challenge this weekend.
Firefighters interested in taking part in the challenge can show up on the day of the event to compete, but must bring their own bunker gear, helmet and steel-toed boots. For more information on the challenge, please call the Bracebridge Fire Department at 705-645-8258.