Mountain Firefighter Challenge Rules

The Mountain Firefighter Challenge (MFC) is defined as a timed competition among area fire departments over an obstacle course at the Big Chili Cook-off Competition, which is held annually. The following rules apply:

1. Each competitor must be at least 18 years of age and officially affiliated, as of September 1, 2012, as an active member, rookie or probationary member, of the following mountain fire departments: Elk Creek, Evergreen, Indian Hills, Inter-Canyon, North Fork or Platte Canyon. The order of competition (ie. who goes first, etc.) will be decided the day of the event.

2. Only one representative of each department will compete in the final competition, which will be held on September 9, 2012 at approximately 14:30. The selection process of that department’s representative will be solely the responsibility of each individual department. Elk Creek Fire Protection District will set up the course for time trials before the event and notify all participating departments of that date and time.

3. A Judge will be named to hear any challenges to the rules and will have the final authority to name the winner of the competition. The Judge will also keep time for the event or appoint someone to do so. The Judge can disqualify (or add time to) any contestant for any valid reason for breaking the rules. The Judge’s decision will be final.

4. Each department will be given the approximate course size and description of the course prior to the competition. Course size and/or configuration may be altered due to limitations of the available space the day of the event.

5. The following is an approximate description of the course:

a. To start the course, each contestant will walk into the START area and be fully dressed in structural (turn-outs with liners) bunker gear as you would normally go into a burning building. (Structural gear is defined as: Nomex pants, pant liners, suspenders and structural boots (rubber or leather), Nomex jacket, jacket liner, hood, structural helmet and structure gloves (no leather work gloves)). The judge has the authority to disqualify any contestant based on their gear not being as described above or any contestant trying to gain an unfair advantage based on bending any of the rules regarding standard structural bunker (turn-out) gear apparel.

b. Once in the START area, each contestant will go “ON AIR” as you would before going into a burning building. Thirty (30) minute air bottles (minimum) of any manufacturer are required. When the contestant is breathing from the SCBA and ready to begin the contest, they will indicate to the judge that they are READY.

c. Once the Judge acknowledges the contestant is READY and confirms that the contestant is dressed appropriately, time will start when the contestant touches the High-Rise Pack.

d. Contestant will pick up the High Rise Pack and move it to the shoulder carry position. Contestant will walk or run approximate 60 feet to the drop zone and drop the pack inside the designated area. Contestant will move to the left and enter the Cutting area.

e. Each department will be required to provide their own Chainsaw or K-12, which will be in a “warmed up, OFF but ready to be started position” for that department’s contestant to use in the Cutting Area. A 4ft x 4ft piece of plywood in a metal frame whose bottom edge is flush to the ground will be set up for the contestant to cut through. Once the contestant enters this area, the contestant will start their saw and cut a hole in the plywood large enough for them to crawl through. The cutting of the hole must be completed with the saw ONLY and no breaking the hole open by pressure will be acceptable. Once the hole is cut through, the chain brake will be applied, the saw will then be turned OFF and placed on the ground in a safe manner before the contestant crawls through the opening in the plywood.

f. After exiting the plywood hole, the contestant will begin climbing a ladder placed at a low angle (as a roof ladder would be laid on a conventional roof). Angle of the ladder to the ground will be approximately 30 degrees. Contestant must climb on “all fours” using hands and feet to ascend the ladder to the top tube. Contestant may not stand and walk or run up the ladder. Once the contestant’s foot touches the ladder, they must move into the climbing, “on all-fours” position.

g. At the top of the ladder, the contestant will see a charged hose line coming through the top rungs. Contestant will follow the hose line through a series of three stacked tubes, beginning at the top of the ladder. After going through all three tubes, the contestant will exit the tubes to the Hose Drag station.

h. Contestant will pick up a charged 1¾” attack line and while walking or running, advance the line approximately seventy (70) feet to the end of the aisle. Once the contestant crosses the line, the contestant will open the nozzle, select the appropriate hose stream to hit the target to their left out on the golf course. Once the target is hit, the contestant will shut down the nozzle, place the nozzle on the ground and move to the right.

i. The contestant will enter the cones section and must round each cone through this section of the course. The contestant may start to the right or the left of the first cone, but must round each cone separately in a slalom fashion.

j. Once the contestant exits the cones, the contestant must then pick up Rescue Randy by the shoulders, chest, or arms and drag the victim the remaining length of the course (approximately seventy feet) to the FINISH line. Rescue Randy’s boots must stay in contact with the ground. Once Randy’s feet cross the finish line, the timer is stopped.

On the day of the event, the selected contestants will have a chance to view the course and ask any questions for clarification. The contestants will not practice the course on the day of the event, however they may (and are encouraged to) practice the course prior to the event on their own.