The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
With the Trout Festival just around the corner, the firefighters at the Flin Flon Fire Department are gearing up for their annual Beat the Chief challenge. Along with Fire Fit Combat Challenge competitors Darren Romo and Rob Trubiak, about 10 other men from the hall will be competing for bragging rights next weekend. And for the first time this year, there will be a Junior Beat the Chief challenge for firefighters' children. ÒBeat the Chief is for camaraderie at the fire department,Ó says Chief Jim Petrie. ÒIt shows how important physical fitness is in firefighting.Ó The challenge showcases the skills and talent of the firefighters. Beat the Chief follows the same format at the Fire Fit Combat Challenge, Òbut itÕs not as difficult. ItÕs a high degree of difficulty, but it also ensures fighters make it through. ÒItÕs not a test, itÕs physical fitness for fun,Ó says Petrie. The challenge requires the firefighters to do a stair climb up three storeys to the Penthouse in all their gear carrying a 20 lb hose. Then they have to hoist a 47 lb hose roll from the floor as well as make their way through 105 feet of pylons. Up next, they have to take a charge line 100 feet, which gets to be about 200 lbs by the end of it, and hit a target with the water. And the last step is a rescue drag for 100 feet with a 180 lb dummy. ÒItÕs just to promote physical fitness and to showcase the skills of the firefighters,Ó says Petrie. The challenge gets started after the Open House on Saturday, June 28 at 9 a.m.
