At a regional competion held in Evansville on September 29, the Hopkinsville Fire Department has for the first time qualified for the World Firefighter Combat Challenge in November .  The qualifying relay team consists of Matt Bryant, Jon Burke, Jason Hale, Matt Wyatt and Tony Harris.  Additionally Tony Harris qualified individually in the 50 and over division.

The challenge is an intense, spirited competition and seeks to encourage firefighter fitness.  The challenge has provided the public with a greater appreciation of the physical demands of firefighting.

Wearing full bunker gear and breathing apparatus, firefighters simulate the physical demands of real life firefighting by competing on a linked series of five tasks.  Competitors climb to the top of a tower carrying a 42 pound high rise pack;  then hoist a 42 pound hose roll to the top;  next they descend to the groud floor where they simulate chopping by moving a 160 pound steel beam 6 feet with a 9 pound mallet.  They then zigzag 140 feet through simulated hydrants to a charged hose line.  They then advance the hose a distance of 75 feet; and finally, competitors drag a life sized 175 pound dummy 100 feet to the finish line.

The challenge is supported by over 30 companies and organizations that make a market in providing safety equipment for firefighters.

The Hopkinsville Firefighter Combat Challenge Team relies solely on sponsorship and fundraising.  The team is currently planning fundraising activities to attend the World Competition in Las Vegas the second week of November.