Saugeen Shores volunteer firefighter Jenna Stewart competed both in the individual and team events at the Scott FireFit Northern Ontario Regional Championships, July 13 and 14.

Hub Staff

Firefighters from across Ontario and beyond, including Nova Scotia, Alberta and the United States, converged in Port Elgin for a weekend of strength and stamina events at the Scott FireFit Northern Ontario Regional Championships July 13 and 14.

The event was hosted by the Saugeen Shores Fire Department and Bruce Power whose firefighters competed in both individual and team competition.

The competition showcases fire fighting drills that are commonly performed in emergency situations. Racing up a six-storey tower while carrying a 42 pound hose pack, hoisting a 45 pound weight up the tower, running back down the stairs to breach entry with a sledgehammer, dragging a fire hose to hit a target and then dragging a 175 pound dummy, all while wearing full firefighting gear, highlighted firefighters' strength and stamina

James Scongack, Bruce Power Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Operational Services, thanked the organizers of FireFit and said the competition was about more than just who wins. “This is about recognizing our firefighters,” he said.

Saugeen Shores Mayor Luke Charbonneau welcomed all the firefighters to the area and thanked the local volunteer firefighters for their work. “They give up their evenings, they give up their weekends, they give up their holidays as volunteers to protect all the people in this community and make sure that we're safe and that we can sleep soundly at night.”

It was the first time competing in the Scott FireFit Championships for one such volunteer firefighter, Port Elgin's Jenna Stewart, who has been with the Saugeen Shores Fire Department for 11 years and is also a full time teacher at St Joseph's School in Port Elgin.

Stewart said competing in the competition was something she had always wanted to do and, after the birth of her second child, Brance, and her husband doing the last half of the parental leave, she finally had an opportunity to focus on training.

Stewart said she was in contact with Amber Bowman, a former FireFit world champion, who gave her advice for the competition, as did other firefighters at the Port Elgin event. "They're all very willing to help with technique and just give you tips," she said.

The hardest part of the course, Stewart said, was the hose hoist but she also called the dummy drag at the end of the course "gruelling."

Stewart said competing in the FireFit Championships was amazing. “I'm very proud of what I've accomplished,” she said. “Not everyone can say they've crossed the finish line.”

Saugeen Shores Fire Chief Phil Eagleson said he was proud of the Saugeen Shores team for the work they had put into training for the event and that they hoped to bring the competition back to the area again. "The participants like the location, close to the beach and the fresh air here," he said.

For competition results visit www.firefit.com/Results/2019-Results.

The Bruce Power team were ready to compete in the Scott FireFit Northern Ontario Regional Championships July 13 and 14 in Port Elgin. From left, Courtney Surridge, Mike Viau, Josh Ironmonger, Nathan Perrott, Justin Clarke, Ryan Lawrence and Colleen Craig.

The Saugeen Shores Fire Department team members were dressed in their gear and ready to compete at the Scott FireFit Northern Ontario Regional Championships in Port Elgin. From left, Jenna Stewart, Craig Johnston, Adam Shular, Kevin Aleinik and Josh Fritzley. Photo submitted.

Now retired from the competition, three time FireFit world champion, 53 year old Mike Gilbert of the St Catharines Fire Department, gave an impressive full course demonstration to the competitors and audience.

In full firefighting gear, Bruce Power's Courtney Surridge pulled a 45 pound roll of hose up six storeys.

Saugeen Shores firefighter Adam Shular hits the target with a hose he had dragged 75 feet in the mixed relay.

Colleen Craig of Bruce Power gets ready to lift and drag Rescue Randy, a 175 pound dummy, 100 feet to safety.

Mark McPhatter of the Paisley and District Fire Department pounds a chopping simulator with a mallet, simulating a forcible entry, in individual competition.

The Bruce Power team followed Nathan Perrott as he dragged Rescue Randy to the finish line in the team relay.

Student nurses from Georgian College, from left, Vanessa Brown, Libby Tsai, Yun Yun Liao, Laura Lizarazo, Dzejla Atyeo, Vivian Wu and Zoey Tsegaye were just a few of the many volunteers at the FireFit competition in Port Elgin July 13 and 14.