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BTFD Combat Challenge Team

The Firefighter Combat challenge consists of 5 tasks the team must complete as an individual or a tandem team. Each run on the course is timed and scored against the other teams to determine the teams placement.
Here is a list of the tasks:

1. High Rise Pack Carry
The competition starts at the base of the tower. The hose pack cannot be touched before the start. The 3" (7.62cm) hose load and cover (42 lb.; 19kg) may be carried in any manner and must be deposited into the container on the top floor with no part of the pack touching the deck. A 2-second penalty will be assessed for this infraction. The hose load must stay on the top platform. The competitor is disqualified if the high-rise pack falls off the top of the tower. The handrails may be used in climbing the tower. Steps may be taken in multiples on the way up.


2. Hose Hoist
A 42-lb. (19kg) donut roll of large diameter hose and 5/8" (16mm) kern mantle rope is used for this event. The competitor is not allowed to stand on anything other than the top platform while hoisting. The evolution is complete when the roll clears the railing at the top of the tower and is placed in the container on the top floor. The donut roll must ascend; loss of control (i.e., slippage of more than one balcony) will result in disqualification. Proper placement is on, or in the container with no part of the donut touching the deck. A 2-second penalty will be assessed for this infraction. The donut roll must stay on the top platform. Disqualification results with any loss of control of the donut roll, including falling off the tower, rolling down the stairs or interfering with the adjacent competitor. This task must be completed before 3 minutes has elapsed or a disqualification will result. A fallen donut roll may not be retrieved. Descending the tower, every step must be contacted and the handrail grasped. Failure to touch each step on the descent will result in a 2-second penalty per infraction.

3. Forcible Entry
The forcible entry evolution utilizes the Keiser Force Machine (a chopping simulator). Using the 9-lb. (4kg) shot mallet provided, the competitor must drive the sled; a 160-lb. (72.5kg) steel beam a horizontal distance of 5-ft. (1.5m) Pushing, raking or hooking the beam is not allowed; only the head of the mallet is allowed to strike the beam. The handle must not come in contact with the beam at any time. The upper edge of the beam will be covered with pressure sensitive material, making infractions visible by a mark on the top edge of the beam. A 5-second penalty is assessed for each infraction after the first handle strike. Both hands must be above the tape mark on the handle (12-in. [30.5cm] from the top [head] end) at the point of impact. A 2-second penalty is assessed for every inch (2.5cm) or fraction of each inch that the sled is short of the end of the tray. Any part of the hammer must be placed on the designated 3'x4' (84xmx121cm) mat. A 2-second penalty is assessed for this infraction.

4. Hose Advance
The competitor must negotiate the 140' (42.6m) slalom course without missing or knocking over any delineator; doing so will result in a 5-second penalty for each infraction. The competitor must pick up the nozzle end of the 1 3/4"; (4.45cm) charged hose line, forward of the taped stripe 6' (1.8m) from the nozzle and drag it a distance of 75-ft (22.8m). Once the nozzle penetrates the swinging doors (i.e., crosses the threshold 75-ft. distant), the competitor opens the nozzle, hits the target with the water stream, shuts down the nozzle and places the nozzle on the pavement. A failure to advance the hose a distance of 75’ will result in a 10-second penalty. The nozzle must not be opened before engaging the swinging doors. A 2-second penalty will be assessed for this violation. If the nozzle is not shut before it is placed down, the competitor must go back and close it. If the Course Staff is required to shut off the nozzle, a 5-second penalty will be assessed. If the nozzle opens after hitting the ground, there is no penalty and the competitor can continue to the victim rescue evolution.

5. Victim Rescue
A 175-lb. (79.4kg) Rescue Randy® mannequin must be lifted and dragged backwards a distance of 100-ft (30.5m). Carrying the dummy is not permitted. If any competitor crosses the course center delineator (i.e., goes out of lane), a 5- second penalty will be assessed. Any contact with the opposing competitor will result in disqualification. The mannequin must not be grasped by its clothing or appendages. Time stops when the competitor and victim completely cross the finish line. The Course Marshal, at his sole discretion, may stop any competitor who in the official's opinion creates or is in a dangerous, unsafe or stressful condition.

2009 Schedule of Events
Date/Location
5/16 - Monroe, NC
7/17 - Myrtle Beach, SC
9/12 - Union, SC
10/17&18 - Evansville, IN
11/16 thru 11/20 - Las Vegas, NV
Team Members
Steve Arnold
Charles Bumgardner
Perry Granat
Enrique Baez
Derek Beeler

Myrtle Beach Results:

Individual:
Stephen 4th 1:55
Enrique: 22nd 2:42

Relay: 5th out of 13 Time 1:31

Tandem:
Stephen & Charlie 1st out of 17 Time 1:38
Enrique & Perry 8th out of 17 Time 2:02

Photos:


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©2009 Bluffton Township Fire District