Fire department champions from all over Europe compete in Göttingen!

Fire department champions from all over Europe compete in Göttingen!

The starting signal for this year's Firefighter Combat Challenge was given in Göttingen on Friday, in which firefighters from all over Europe measure their strength. For the second time, this exciting competition is being held in the Jahnstadion sports park by the TFA Team Leinetal. Around 220 firefighters from Europe and Kuwait took part last year, and numerous international teams are expected again this year, making the event a real highlight in firefighting sports. NDR reports.

The Firefighter Combat Challenge, which began in 1991, has now grown into an internationally touring and televised competition. The focus is on promoting physical fitness for the fire service. Participants must complete a challenging course consisting of five stations: a staircase with a hose package, a hose lift, a forced entry, the hose transport and the rescue of a dummy. These stations push firefighters to their physical limits! According to the official website, it is crucial that participants complete the five events all in the correct order within six minutes.

Measures in an emergency

The challenge simulates real operational situations and thus serves as training for emergencies. For example, the firefighters have to carry a 20 kilogram hose package up a twelve meter high tower and at the same time rescue an 80 kilogram dummy over 30 meters. These exercises demonstrate their fitness and suitability for use. Wikipedia emphasizes that such challenges not only serve to train tactics, but also promote a strong team spirit.

Another aspect that makes the competitions all the more relevant this year is the increased risk of forest fires, which is exacerbated by the prevailing drought. During a large-scale exercise in Göhrde, the emergency services trained under real conditions in difficult-to-access terrain. Such experience is essential to guarantee effectiveness in an emergency.

A look into the future of competitions

But the Firefighter Combat Challenge is not just a one-time event. Competition will continue to grow in the coming years. The CTIF Commission has announced that new competition rules are ready for 2025. These changes could once again revolutionize the way firefighting competitions are conducted. The commission regularly promotes exchange between the participating countries and not only creates exciting competitions, but also platforms for the exchange of knowledge. CTIF reports that a delegate meeting takes place every three to four years, in which 32 countries take part.

The Firefighter Combat Challenge in Göttingen is not just a competition, but rather a tribute to the skills and stamina of firefighters. It is an event that shows how important fitness and teamwork are to success in the fire service.