Cheltenham firefighter Jim McCann developed the concept for the Cheltenham Township Firefighter’s Combat Challenge in 1999 and the event has since been held annually at the Gottschalk Fire Training Area.  In past years participants have included Huntington Valley, McKinley, Edge Hill, Rockledge, as well as all 5 Cheltenham Township fire companies.  The Firefighter’s Challenge tests physical strength, agility, quickness, and teamwork as the events simulate real world firefighting activities.

Event #1

Individual Firefighter Combat Challenge

Carry an apartment pack up 3 flights of stairs, use a rope to pull a 50’ donut roll of 3” hose up 3 stories, use a sledgehammer to move a large wooden log along a sled, transverse 10 cones, pull a charged hose line and knock over a target, then carry Rescue Randy to the finish line.  Best time wins!

Event #2

1 ¾” Dwelling Attack

Ladder the second floor balcony, advance a hose line to the balcony, then advance a charged hose line around and down to the 1^st floor and knock over a cone.  Best time wins!

Event #3

Garden Style Apartment Attack

Stretch a 2 ½" hose line with a wye from your truck to the building, hook up an 1 ¾” hose line to the wye, then advance a charged hose line to the second floor and knock over a cone.  Best time wins!

Event #4

Bucket Brigade

Fill 5 gallon buckets with a hose line and deposit filled buckets 50 feet away in a 55 gallon drum in 90 seconds.  Most water in the 55 gallon drum wins!

Event #5

Bed Race

4 firefighters push a 5^th firefighter on a gurney 200 feet to the finish line.  Best time wins!