This picture is from the 2015 Firefit Championships in Saugeen Shores. The last time it was held in Saugeen Shores was in 2016. 

Hub Staff

From rookies to veterans, firefighters from all across Canada will soon be converging in Port Elgin to compete against each other in the 2019 Firefit Championships, described as “the toughest two minutes in sports.”

The event is held annually and takes place in various regions across the country with the Northern Ontario Regional event this year being held in the area of the north harbour at the Port Elgin Main Beach July 13 and 14 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event was last held in Saugeen Shores in 2016.

Hosted by Bruce Power and the Saugeen Shores Fire Department, Firefit is a competition based on firefighting tasks commonly performed in emergency situations and showcases tasks a firefighter could complete on a regular day, said Port Elgin Firefit planner, Bruce Power Section Manager Emergency & Protective Services Gary Smith.

He explained that there are three different groupings. A Firefit Relay is a three to five person relay, a Firefit X3 Relay which is a two person technical relay and a Firefit Individual competition.

The first day of competition will see individual competition while the second day will consist of team events.

Tasks include racing up a five-storey tower, hoisting a 45 pound weight, running back down the stairs to breach entry with a sledgehammer, dragging a fire hose to hit a target and then rescuing a 175 pound dummy to complete the course.

Smith said that Bruce Power and the Saugeen Shores Fire Department will both have a team in the event. “There will also be a Junior Firefighters Challenge for youth, which will be set up at the same location,” he said adding that children who are attending the event will have an opportunity to participate.

Admission is free and the public is encouraged to come out and watch.

Highlights from the 2015 Firefit Championships in Port Elgin.