The Firefighter Challenge Championship Series has been serving the global fire service for more than 3 decades. Deemed by ESPN as “the toughest two minutes in sports”, our purpose driven competition platform is one of the most globally recognized action-packed sporting events of its kind. We are honored to have the support of Task Force Tips® (TFT) serving as our Series Title Sponsor!
Open to all firefighters from beginner to pro, the TFT® Series offers six (6) competition categories with several age and gender-based subcategories to choose from. The SERVPRO® FCL annually conducts up to eight (8) events in the TFT® Series, including the U.S. National Championship and World Championship events.
THE MISSION OF THE SERVPRO® FCL AND TFT® SERIES IS THREE-FOLD:
- Showcase the strength and readiness of the fire service.
- Inspire the next generation of firefighters.
- Promote the physical, mental, cardiac, and respiratory benefits that result from routine exercising, good nutritional habits, and job-based training regimens.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
RULES, REGULATIONS AND PLAY
Our Guide to the Challenge provides you with a comprehensive overview and understanding of our competition series, including all rules, regulations, awards, records, schedule, and more. Everything you need to know all in one document! We recommend you read this from beginning to end so you are fully prepared to take the Challenge.
introducing
THE LION ARENA
of the brave
Thousands of firefighters have already raised their hand to accept the Challenge, successfully completing some or all the five (5) job-related evolutions on our course. The LION® Arena of the Brave is comprised of the same, or similar, training elements that most fire departments and fire colleges utilize to prepare their personnel to perform their job at the highest level.
The Firefighter Challenge simply provides a platform for firefighters to showcase their hard work, desire, and commitment to perfect their job skills and to be physically prepared for the long enduring calls that often lead to fatigue, injury and cardiac related death. Firefighter athletes in the SERVPRO® FCL enter the LION® Arena of the Brave in our TFT® Series to see who can complete the five (5) evolutions, known as the “Five Essential Functions”, in the fastest time.
Evolutions
WHP® Stair Tower Climb with Snap-Tite® High-Rise Pack
It's the starting point of the course, where champions are born! Participants, waiting at the base of the tower, hear the alarm and begin their climb (run) up our 41 feet high, five (5) story WHP® Training Tower of stairs (63 steps) carrying a 42lb hose pack from Snap-Tite® Hose. It's an exciting race to the top, and the beginning of an exciting personal journey!
1
Snap-Tite® Hose Hoist
Once at the top of the tower, participants will hand-over-hand hoist a 42lb donut roll from Snap-Tite® Hose from the ground up to the top of the tower. It's mind over matter, working through the burn until the roll of hose clears the top railing and is placed into the container on the top platform floor. Now it's time to turn around and descend back down the tower. You've got this!
2
Keiser® Forcible Entry
Presented by Keiser®, participants will simulate a chopping motion using a 9.6lb dead blow hammer from Trusty-Cook® to force the 160lb Keiser® Force Machine's steel beam a horizontal distance of 5 feet. Deep breath, you're half-way to the finish line!
3
Snap-Tite® and TFT® Hose Advance
Participants will negotiate the 140-foot (42.6m) slalom course without missing or knocking over any delineator. They will then pick up the TFT® nozzle end of the 1- 3/4 inch (4.45cm) charged Snap-Tite® hose line and drag it 75 feet. Once the TFT® nozzle penetrates the swinging doors, they will open the nozzle aiming the stream to hit the target. Now drop that nozzle and go because the finish line is now in sight!
4
NASCO Healthcare® Victim Rescue
Participants will drag a 165lb Rescue Randy® manikin from NASCO Healthcare® backwards a distance of 106 feet. The cheering crowd is rooting you on, and the time officially stops when you and the rescue dummy completely cross the finish line. Celebration time! There are no losers here. You're a winner because you pushed yourself and finished strong! Congratulations!
5
FIRST TIMER INFO
Most first timers tell us that prior to the event they were “feeling anxious”, “intimidated”, and “having a fear of failure”. Hey, we get it, but as a firefighter you already have the basic essentials down thanks to your routine training at your fire department. The TFT® Firefighter Challenge Championship Series simply allows you to take the skills you already know, step up your physical training regimen, and apply them into a fun sporting event.
For a first timer it does not matter where they are in their fitness journey because that can be improved upon with time and a commitment to training. More than 70,000 firefighters, of all backgrounds and fitness levels, have raised their hand to accept the Challenge in our 30+ year history, successfully completing some or all the five job-related evolutions on our course.
The biggest misperception of the Challenge is that it’s only for elite athletes. Wrong! Whether a rookie, veteran, volunteer, or career firefighter, fit or not fit, our course allows you to develop at your own pace and with the encouragement and counsel of your fellow participants.
The stories are endless at the Challenge. What will your story be?
FIRST TIMERS RECEIVE A CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION FOR TAKING THE CHALLENGE!
Divisions
We offer three (3) Divisions that align our sport with others that recognize the value and benefit of placing competitors in divisions with other athletes currently competing at a similar level.
• athletes under the age of 40 (our largest body of athletes) are segmented into one of three (3) Divisions based on their Individual Category run time.
• athletes over the age of 40 are automatically assigned to Division 1, and compete in their respective age/gender subcategory groups.
Placement Times
Male: 1:50.00 and under
Female: 3:00.00 and under
Placement Times
Male: 2:30.00 and under
Female: 4:00.00 and under
Placement Times
Male 2:30.01 and over
Female: 4:00.01 and over
CATEGORY OVERVIEW
The TFT® Series offers six (6) main competition categories to choose from. Athletes may compete in multiple categories at an event:
INDIVIDUAL CATEGORY: an individual competitor runs the entire course in full turnout gear wearing a 3M™ Scott™ Fire & Safety issued SCBA while ‘on-air’.
FD SHOWDOWN CATEGORY: a Fire Department with a minimum of three (3) members from their department competing in the Individual Category. Times are combined to form the final team time.
FD TANDEM CATEGORY: consists of two competitors from the same department in full
turnout gear wearing a 3M™ Scott™ Fire & Safety issued SCBA but ‘no mask’.
HYBRID TANDEM CATEGORY: consists of two competitors from various departments in
full turnout gear wearing a 3M™ Scott™ Fire & Safety issued SCBA but ‘no mask’.
FD RELAY CATEGORY: consists of three (3) to five (5) members of the same department in full turnout gear wearing a 3M™ Scott™ Fire & Safety issued SCBA but ‘no mask’.
HYBRID RELAY CATEGORY: consists of three (3) to five (5) members from various departments in full turnout gear wearing a 3M™ Scott™ Fire & Safety issued SCBA but ‘no mask’.
Each of our main categories has several age and gender-based subcategories to choose from. To view a full list click here.
Training Tips
Like any sport, routine training and dedication is key to perfection. Our training tip
series will help place you onto the path of success. Check them out!
Video Series Coming Soon
