Now that the Firefighter Combat Challenge (FCC) is in its 17th season, many see it as a stage for the best of the best to display their talents. Contrary to this belief, the Challenge is rooted in a vision of empowering the “average” firefighter.
Assessing Fitness
The FCC concept was born in 1976 from extensive research conducted by owner and president, Dr. Paul O. Davis, in an attempt to develop a physical ability test to determine whether a job applicant had the requisite capabilities to perform the essential job functions of a firefighter. With U.S. Fire Administration funding, the research design was laid out. It required the cooperation of fire departments in seven Washington, D.C., political jurisdictions, each providing a representative sample of firefighters proportionate to its relative size. Ultimately, 100 randomly selected firefighters underwent a battery of fitness tests, including measures of cardiopulmonary performance and muscular fitness.
Dr. Davis’ study, conducted with several other university researchers, found that approximately 15 percent of these firefighters were incapable of carrying a hoseline up five flights of stairs. This ground-breaking research demonstrating a high correlation between personal fitness and job performance was published in a number of trade and scientific journals, as well as in a technical report by the U.S. Government Printing Office. This study was a catalyst for higher physical fitness and agility standards in fire departments nationwide.
Let the Games Begin
In 1991, Dr. Davis developed a concept that would eventually become the FCC. He had observed the competitive nature of firefighters during the initial testing in 1976, so he thought, “Why not devise a competition that would highlight the unique nature of the fire service and showcase the talents and capabilities of firefighters?”
On May 5, 1991, teams from five departments in the D.C. metropolitan area gathered at the Maryland Fire Rescue Institute to christen what would become the FCC. The several hundred spectators erupted as the first competitor made his way to the top of the tower. The crowd’s response told Davis that he was onto something.
The team from Prince William County, Va., won the first Challenge in a time of 10:08. Although that was the only event that first year, the seeds of competition had been sown. The next year, with DuPont as the presenting sponsor, there were seven competitions–the first truly national championship, held during the International Association of Fire Chiefs’ (IAFC) annual meeting in Anaheim, Calif.
A Challenge for All Firefighters
Today the FCC remains a celebration of firefighter fitness. Thousands of firefighters from throughout the world have competed in the Challenge, many unaware that their participation supports a greater movement to improve firefighter fitness. And although we often focus on the Challenge winners and record-holders, the most impressive statistic is undoubtedly the overall improved fitness of FCC competitors and those inspired by the event.
In 2008, the FCC would like to encourage all fire service members to try the Challenge! Tandem-style races (splitting the course between two people) are easiest for newcomers. We’ve also instituted a “Challenge coach” program this year, which pairs interested newcomers with a veteran Challenge member to share Challenge information and training tips.
