Northern Ont. volunteer firefighters compete in challenge
A first-of-its-kind event aimed at sharpening the skills of volunteer firefighters across the region was held in Iron Bridge on the weekend.
Volunteer firefighters compete in obstacle courses during the North Shore Firefighter Challenge in Iron Bridge, Ont. April 28, 2024 (Cory Nordstrom/CTV Northern Ontario)
Ryan Pfaff, a volunteer firefighter with the Huron Shores, Parkinson and Mississauga First Nation fire departments, said he came up with the idea to create the North Shore Firefighter Challenge in September.
"There's about 60 firefighters competing and there's, with all the volunteer firefighters and some of the coaches and mentors, there's about 100 firefighters here," Pfaff told CTVNewsNorthernOntario.ca in an interview.
At least 18 fire halls between Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie were represented at the event.
The competition included a timed fire hose relay and a number of search and rescue style obstacle courses created by Pfaff.
Jamie Ames and Shelby Clairmont from the Espanola Fire Department spoke to CTV News after completing one of the courses.
"I think it's pretty true to life. Like, fire ground's really loud, right? So trying to hear everybody is, it's tough," said Ames.
Volunteer firefighters compete in obstacle courses at North Shore Firefighter Challenge in Iron Bridge, Ont. April 28, 2024 (Cory Nordstrom/CTV Northern Ontario)
Clairmont said the challenge is a great training opportunity.
"Not every hall has the same resources. So it's really nice that there's opportunity for halls that might not have things like this at their own hall," she said.
Volunteer firefighters compete in North Shore challenge in Iron Bridge, Ont. April 28, 2024 (Cory Nordstrom/CTV Northern Ontario)
Jason Harrington has volunteered with the Thessalon Fire Department for the last 12 years.
He said it was nerve-racking doing the challenges in front of an audience, but was glad he came.
"Once you get into the groove, it's just pushing yourself to the best you can do and hopefully learning something," Harrington said.
One part of the event that Pfaff said turned out better than expected was the camaraderie between fire departments.
Despite the competition, volunteer firefighters develop camaraderie during North Shore Firefighter Challenge in Iron Bridge. April 28, 2024. (Cory Nordstrom/CTV Northern Ontario)
"It is growing, and that's what's important. Like small departments supporting other small departments," he said.
"Because a lot of us, we have what they call mutual aid because the fire departments aren't big enough in our town … we will likely be working together in the future."
- Download the CTV News app now
- Get local breaking news alerts
- Daily newsletter with the top local stories emailed to your inbox
Family event
The challenge brought hundreds of community members to the Iron Bridge Recreation Centre, with vendors, a kid’s area and a canteen.
Organizer Ali Hoek said they wanted the event to be about more than just the firefighters.
"We really wanted to make sure that this was an event not just for rural firefighters, but for the rural communities themselves," Hoek said.
"As COVID hit and different things, that we do not have the same events and community spirit we may not have always had prior."
Pfaff said they also hope that community members are inspired by seeing what volunteers may have to do in case of emergency and either support or join their local volunteer fire departments.
"There's a large need in our area for volunteer firefighters," he said.
"Unfortunately, it's hard to find guys that will give up, you know, a lot of free time and put themselves at risk and stuff … for the benefit of the community."
The first-ever North Shore Firefighter Challenge was deemed such a success that organizers said it will become an annual event.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Defence rests without Donald Trump taking the witness stand in his New York hush money trial
Donald Trump's lawyers rested their defence Tuesday without the former president taking the witness stand in his New York hush money trial.
Passenger killed, 30 injured as Singapore Airlines flight hits severe turbulence
One passenger was killed and 30 injured after a Singapore Airlines SIAL.SI flight from London hit severe turbulence en route on Tuesday, forcing it to make an emergency landing in Bangkok, officials and the airline said.
Feels like mid-30s in parts of Canada, while other areas expecting snow
Anything is possible this week, as far as Canada's weather is concerned, with forecasts ranging from scorching heat in some parts of the country to rain and snow in others.
Canada's inflation cools to 3-year low of 2.7%, in boost for rate cut bets
Canada's annual inflation rate slowed to a three-year low of 2.7 per cent in April, matching expectations, and core measures continued to ease, data showed on Tuesday, likely boosting chances of a June interest rate cut.
'Documents are fraudulent': Graceland is not for sale, Elvis Presley's granddaughter says in lawsuit
Riley Keough, the granddaughter of Elvis Presley, is fighting plans to publicly auction his Graceland estate in Memphis after a company tried to sell the property based on claims that a loan using the king of rock ’n’ roll's former home as collateral was not repaid.
Trump campaign calls 'The Apprentice' 'blatantly false,' director offers to screen it for him
Donald Trump's reelection campaign called 'The Apprentice,' a film about the former U.S. president in the 1980s, 'pure fiction' and vowed legal action following its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. But director Ali Abbasi is offering to privately screen the film for Trump.
Nestle to sell $5 pizza, sandwiches in the U.S. for Wegovy, Ozempic users
Nestle NESN.S will market a new, US$5 line of frozen pizzas and protein-enriched pastas in the United States which it says it designed specifically for people taking drugs such as Wegovy or Ozempic for weight loss.
What is BORG drinking, and why is it a dangerous trend? An expert explains
If you've been to a party lately and haven't seen someone drinking a BORG, you're likely not partying with college students.
Independent stores and grocery alternatives see sales boost amid Loblaw boycott
As the month-long boycott of Loblaw-owned stores wears on, small independent food retailers and alternative grocery options say they're seeing a boost in traffic and sales.