Firefighters compete in annual challenge

The third annual Kootenai Wildland Firefighter Challenge and Fire Safe Expo was held Saturday June 6 at J. Neils Memorial Park. 

The purpose of the event is to raise funds to benefit the Wildland Firefighter Foundation.

“The main purpose of the event is to raise funds to help benefit the Wildland Firefighter Foundation and to get better participation throughout the community each year,” Libby Volunteer Fire Department First Assistant Chief Steve Lauer said,  

There were 10 teams that participated in the challenge. The challenge included events like, chainsaw assembly, hose assembly and a hose fitting board. The winning team of the event came from Troy Forest Service Three Rivers District. Their team name was the Yaak Attackers. 

Something new from this year’s event was that the challenge finals were held in the arena. Terry Peck, the coordinator of the event said, “It was a different atmosphere compared to past years. It was fun to watch the crowd cheer for the participants. The firefighters really appreciated that.” 

Peck said the contestants enjoyed the event, “The contestants really enjoyed the physical activities. They enjoyed the camaraderie of the event. When they are out fighting fires and they see a familiar face, it starts to feel like a family reunion.” 

People that attended the event had the opportunity to take part in amusement activities, such as the Pulaski throw and hose bowling. A Pulaski is a heavy axe used by firefighters to break down doors and other obstacles while fighting fires. Mike Frost won the hose bowling competition.

While watching the physical activities may have been the main attraction, there was a lot more to the event. There was a live and silent auction. They had 20 live auction items. There was even a bouncy castle for children. A helicopter from the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation Northwest Land Office Ship did water drop demonstrations. Life Flight Network and ALERT helicopters were there as well. 

One of the raffle items was a Pekka P3 rifle, which was won by Vic White. One of the live auction items was two sets of ‘4 firefighters for 8 hours work.” They went for $345 and $365. 

There were many sponsors for the event. According to Peck, the five major ones were, Whitefish Area Firesafe Council, Northern Air Inc, FireSafe Montana, the National Fire Protection Association and State Farm and the Center for Asbestos-Related Diseases. 

Peck said the event would not be possible without the help from all the volunteers and sponsors. From the day’s event alone, they were able to raise over $6,000. That doesn’t include money from sponsors. Volunteer donated more than 300 hours to pull off the event.