Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Adam Donnelly

KAMLOOPS FIRE RESCUE

Kamloops firefighters shine in FireFit Regional competition

May 27, 2019 | 4:47 PM

KAMLOOPS — Hundreds of the fittest firefighters were in the city over the weekend. That’s because Kamloops Fire Rescue was the host department for the 2019 Southern BC Regional Firefit competition, which took place alongside Brewloops at Riverside Park.

With several Canadian and World Championships under their belt, the New Gold Kamloops FireFit team was ready and rearing to show off their talents in their hometown.

Even though they’re competing, there’s a ton of respect for one another on the FireFit course. This weekend, the fittest and fastest firefighters from across B.C., Alberta, and even as far away as the Maritimes were in Kamloops. All taking part in the Southern BC Regional FireFit Championships.

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“We’re extremely proud of all our members who compete here,” Assistant Fire Chief Rob Schoular told CFJC Today. “We’ve got a great team. The opportunity to host this, and to work with and compete against fellow firefighters is just an awesome experience for all of us.”

Of course, when you’re hosting there has to be some pride on the line. Founding member of the Kamloops Fire Rescue New Gold FireFit Mike Brown says after all the success the team has experienced, competing at home was a special experience.

“It’s pretty cool,” Brown said. “To be here with a bunch of guys I’ve competed with for 10, 12 years… I’ve made pretty good friendships, and to have them all here in your home city, it’s pretty cool.”

Competing in Kamloops was special for Carly Swanson, too. Swanson lives in Kelowna, works in Fort McMurray, but is originally from Kamloops. She took home bronze in the Women’s division in the individual event Saturday.

“It’s awesome,” Swanson said. “I got to train with the Kamloops guys, so to do a race with them, and just to be here in Kamloops, in my hometown. All my family is here.”

For both Swanson and Brown, the camaraderie they experience training and competing in FireFit is what keeps them motivated when the training gets tough.

“It’s a huge sense of accomplishment,” Swanson explained. “Training with the others… we’re all a team, we’re all in this together. It’s cool to do it all as one.”

“It’s a lot of hard work,” Brown said. “When you compete with your buddies, your brothers from work, you’re trying to be a role model for your kids, it’s pretty easy. It’s a great group of guys and a great organization. The friendships maker it pretty easy.”

For these athletes, the focus is now on training and preparing for the Canadian and World Championships which take place September 11 to 15 in Oshawa, ON.