Elkton- Saturday September 17, Kent & Queen Anne’s Rescue Squad members Bill Lobley, JoAnne Donovan, Travis Nelson and Raye Jones took Ambulance 8 to Elkton to standby for the National Firefighter Combat Challenge.
Firefighters from all over the country came to compete in the annual event. Firefighters battled 90 degree temperatures, wearing full turnout gear and SCBA to compete in a job specific obstacle course. The course consisted of five flights of stairs to climb while carrying a roll of hose, and then pull a hose roll from the ground to the top, then race down the steps again. Then they had to use a sledge hammer a weight backward five feet, then run around fire hydrants to an awaiting hose line. Then they advanced the hose line approximately 75 feet and hit a target. Then they had to drag 175lbs. dummy 100 feet and cross the finish line.
Medic 8 started their day at Singerly VFC Station 13 at 0730. They ran as the primary response unit with Singerly Paramedic Chris Carter aboard. They handled two calls and then reported to the location of the challenge to assist the competitors once they cross the finish line.
The competitors were physically drained once they made it to the finish line. The crew from Medic 8 assisted the competitors with undonning their gear and airpack and then assisted them to the triage tent where they could relax and get cool.
