Peterson firefighters compete in Firefighter Combat Challenge

Members of the Peterson Fire Department’s Firefighter Combat Challenge Team drag a 175-pound “victim” as part of the competition Aug. 16 in Altus, Okla. Peterson’s Fire Department competed at the regional event, earning ninth place out of 20 competitors. Their time of 1 minute and 33 seconds qualified them for the World Challenge Nov. 11 in Las Vegas. (Courtesy photo)

Peterson firefighters compete in Firefighter Combat Challenge

Members of the Peterson Fire Department’s Firefighter Combat Challenge Team – from left to right, Senior Airman John Dannen, Staff Sgts. Joel Hammond, Nick Hall and Jimmy Welch, and Senior Airman Chris Ingle - prepare to compete Aug. 16 in Altus, Okla. Peterson’s Fire Department competed at the regional event, earning ninth place out of 20 competitors. Their time of 1 minute and 33 seconds qualified them for the World Challenge Nov. 11 in Las Vegas. (Courtesy photo)

Peterson firefighters compete in Firefighter Combat Challenge

Spectators watch teams prepare to tackle the Firefighter Combat Challenge course Aug. 16 in Altus, Okla. Members of Peterson’s Fire Department competed at the regional event, earning ninth place out of 20 competitors. Their time of 1 minute and 33 seconds qualified them for the World Challenge Nov. 11 in Las Vegas. (Courtesy photo)

Peterson Fire Department headed to world championship

Published Aug. 26, 2008
By Corey Dahl
21st Space Wing Public Affairs

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- After performing well at a regional competition in Oklahoma, Peterson's fire department is headed to the World Championship Firefighter Combat Challenge in Las Vegas this November.

The six-member Peterson team clocked a time of 1 minute and 33 seconds on the challenging course at the Midwest Regional Firefighter Combat Challenge in Altus, Okla., Aug. 15 and 16. They ranked ninth out of 20 teams, qualifying them to move on to the World Challenge, Nov. 11 in Las Vegas.

The Oklahoma event was the first competition ever for the Peterson team, so the team's superior performance was a little surprising - though not really unexpected, said team member Senior Airman John Dannen.

"Every off day, we've been practicing at the Air Force Academy, running through the course," Airman Dannen said. "We had a pretty good idea of what we were going to run."

The firefighter challenge course requires team members to run through a variety of firefighting-related tests, including climbing a five-story tower while carrying a 45-pound pack, simulating a forced entry and rescuing a 175-pound "victim." Teams usually must complete the course in less than two minutes to remain competitive.

To prepare for the Worlds, the team will likely continue its same training regimen, making sure everyone on the team is in top form and ready to compete, Airman Dannen said.

The team's members are excited to show off Peterson's fire department and its capabilities on a world stage, he said.

"It's a big deal," he said. "There are fire departments from all over the world competing in this. It brings worldwide focus to the base and the fire department - not just from the military, but also from other fire departments. And there's nothing wrong with a little worldwide focus."

Members of the Peterson Firefighter Challenge team include Staff Sgts. Jimmy Welch, Joel Hammond, Nick Hall and Ryan Taylor and Senior Airmen John Dannen and Chris Ingle.