U.S. Nationals Firefighter Challenge Championship

Participants can enter in one or more of the following categories:

Individual Category – a competitor running the entire Course, on-air (COVID protocols permitting), in full turnout gear; automatically considered for the specific respective age or sex category that is in effect at the event, as well as the open category.

Team Category – a team is comprised of 3 to 5 members, each of whom runs the Course individually (that is, on-air (as COVID protocols permit), in full turnout gear) and receives an individual time. The team time is composed of the three fastest individual times from team members added together. If there are less than three members with times due to disqualifications, no-shows, etc., there is no time, and the team will not receive consideration for placement.

Veteran Relay Team Category – a group of 3 to 5 members, each of whom completes part of the Course before handing a baton over to another member. The members are in full turnout gear, except that facepieces are not worn. They usually are seeded with their first race at regional events and then enter an elimination bracket based on their seeding time. New and veteran relay teams typically compete in separate brackets.

New Relay Team Category – a group of first-time competitors in the Firefighter Challenge who get to enter into the Challenge 'free of charge'. Relay teams consist of a group of 3 to 5 members, each of whom completes part of the Course before handing a baton over to another member. The members are in full turnout gear, except that facepieces are not worn. They usually are seeded with their first race at regional events and then enter an elimination bracket based on their seeding time. New and veteran relay teams typically compete in separate brackets.

Tandem Category – a pair of competitors, each of whom completes roughly half the Course, with the handoff coming before or after the Keiser Forcible Entry Evolution. The members are in full turnout gear, except that facepieces are not worn. A tandem team may qualify for multiple categories but must specify beforehand which category they wish to compete in. (To compete in more than one category, it requires running more than one race, each designated as the specific category for consideration).

HOW DO I REGISTER MY TEAM? PLEASE READ SO YOU DO NOT MISS ANY STEPS!

Only one member of the team should do the initial registration for the Veteran Relay, New Relay, Tandem or Team Member. Before doing so, the following information will be needed during the registration process:

• DETERMINE THE TEAM’S NAME
• DETERMINE WHICH TEAM EVENT YOU ARE REGISTERING FOR

Ready to Register?  First:  Open and/or print the step-by-step instructions below to use moving forward, then scroll back up to the top of this page and select TEAMS under EVENTS.

CLICK THIS LINK:  REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR TEAM CAPTAIN

CLICK THIS LINK:  REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR MEMBERS OF TEAM

 
INDIVIDUAL CATEGORY

 
-All Male          -All Female          -Age 40 to 44 Male          -Age 40 to 44 Female          -Age 45 to 49 Male          -Age 45 to 49 Female          -Over 50 Female
-Age 50 to 54 Male          -Age 55 to 59 Male         -Age 60 to 64 Male       -Age 65 to 69 Male       -Over 70 Male       -Team (Fire Department)     -Chief Officer
 
TANDEM CATEGORY

-All Male          -All Female          -Age 40 to 44 Male          -Age 40 to 44 Female          -Age 45 to 49 Male          -Age 45 to 49 Female          -Age 50 to 54 Male
-Age 50 to 54 Female          -Age 55 to 59 Male          -Age 55 to 59 Female          -Over 60 Male          -Over 70 Male          -Coed

RELAY CATEGORY

-All Male          -All Female          -Over 40 Male          -Over 40 Female          -Over 50 Male          -Over 50 Female          -Over 60 Male          -Over 60 Female
-Over 70 Male          -Coed

TWO IMPORTANT MEMOS AND UPDATES!

#1:  OFF AIR IN 2022 SEASON

Dear Competitors,

We would like to provide an update related to individual competitors running on air during this season’s Firefighter Challenge events. The 2022 season, we hope, will be the final transitional year that the Challenge alters its rules/procedures related to Covid-19 precautions. Challenge competition rule 3.2 will continue to be modified in such that competitors will not don the SCBA facepiece and breathe air as part of the individual/team category events. The Health & Safety Committee and Competition Oversight Committees are working diligently to ensure your safety at events. Current sanitation, hygiene and safety protocols are being evaluated and updated to minimize our competitor’s risk and will be deployed during this season’s events. Competitors wishing to run on air for the purposes of Lion’s Den qualification or other record-related times will be accommodated on a case-by-case basis. It is recommended that you contact Todd Shelton, Chief Program Officer, in advance to ensure availability of equipment. Enhanced cleaning protocols will apply to masks, regulators and SCBA units per the manufacturer’s recommendation for covid-19 precautionary practices. Your safety is our first priority!

Sincerely,
Jimmy Johnson, Chair-Health & Safety Committee
Daniel Garner, Chair-Competition Oversight Committee

#2: ELIMINATION OF BYE's PROGRAM

Dear Competitors,

For years the ‘Bye’ program of the Challenge has created some ill-will here in the U.S. and abroad. What was developed with good intention ultimately had unintended consequences. To many, this incentive provided recipients an unfair advantage in a global event that should have provided a level field for all competitors entering to compete for the prestigious title of World Champion. Just imagine if the Olympics provided team members from the host country an opportunity that no other competitor in the world was provided.

The Competition Oversight Committee has been providing ongoing counsel to our new CEO of the Firefighter Challenge who learned of this issue by dozens of competitors participating in focus groups held earlier this year. He agrees that this is a solvable problem and that it will restore confidence to our global firefighter athletes that the World Championship event is fair for all. Effective immediately, the ‘Bye’ program, as stated in 7.8.3 of the current Rules, is eliminated, and we thank everyone for their understanding of this change.

Sincerely,

Competition Oversight Committee

Thursday, Sept. 22nd

11:00 am:  Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Grand National Champion Awards Ceremony and Luncheon at River Walk Center. THIS LUNCHEON IS FREE HOWEVER REGISTRATION BY SEPTEMBER 15th IS REQUIRED due to limited available seating. Please email Russell at rjackson@firstresponder.org to register.

2:00 pm:  Competitors Registration/Check-in (Course Open to competitors for warm up)

3:00 pm:  Vendor Village opens

4:00 pm:  Opening Ceremonies

4:30 pm:  Individual Competitions for National Titles

5:00 pm:  Firefighter Challenge Kids’ Course Opens

Friday, Sept. 23rd                  

10:00 am:  Competitors Registration/Check-in (Course Open to competitors for warm up) 

11:00 am:  Vendor Village opens

12:00 pm:  Opening Ceremonies

12:30 pm:  Tandem Competitions for National Titles & Relay Seeding Rounds 

1:00 pm:  Firefighter Challenge Kids’ Course Open

6:00 pm:  MES CARES Event @ Riverwalk, “Brews and Bites” COMPETITORS RECEIVE FREE ENTRY BUT MUST REGISTER.  REGISTER  (spouse/guest must pay the registration fee)

Saturday, Sept. 24th            

9:00 am:  Charity Relay Challenge

11:00 am:  Vendor Village opens

11:00 am:  Firefighter Challenge Kids’ Course Open

1:00 pm:  Competitors Registration/Check-in (Course Open to competitors for warm up) 

3:00 pm:  Opening Ceremonies

3:30 pm:  Relay Finals for National Titles

Tandem & Relay Awards Ceremony

PARTICIPATING HOTELS
 

HOTEL INFO

Hutchinson Island Plaza Hotel
1230 Seaway Dr., Ft Pierce, FL 34949
772-595-0711
HOTEL INFO
2 miles to event location
Rates starting at $109.00 per night

 
Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott
6502 Metal Drive, Fort Pierce, FL 34945
772.462.2900
HOTEL INFO
6 miles to event location
Rates starting at $109.00 per night
 
Holiday Inn Express and Suites
7151 Okeechobee Road, Fort Pierce, FL 34945
772.464.5000
HOTEL INFO
6 miles to event location
Rates starting at $100.00 per night 

 
Hilton Garden Inn PGA Village
8540 Commerce Centre Dr, Port St. Lucie, FL 34986
772.871.6850
HOTEL INFO
14 miles to event location
 
 
Perfect Drive Vacation Rentals
525 NW Lake Whitney Place, Port St. Lucie, FL 34986
772-873-0515
HOTEL INFO
14 miles to event location
 
 
Residence Inn by Marriott
1920 SW Fountainview Blvd., Port St. Lucie, FL34986
772-344-7814
HOTEL INFO
14 miles to event location (Rates starting at $134.00 per night)

Holiday Inn Express and Suites
1601 NW Courtyard Circle Port St. Lucie, FL 34986
772-879-6565
HOTEL INFO
14 miles to event location
Rates starting at $109.00 per night

Homewood Suites by Hilton
10301 SW Innovation Way. Port St. Lucie, FL 34987
772-345-5333
HOTEL INFO
16 miles to event location
 

Courtyard Marriott
10251 SW Innovation Way, Port Saint Lucie, FL 34987
772.732-9300
HOTEL INFO
16 miles to event location
 

Ocean Village Vacation Rentals
100 Main Sail Drive, Fort Pierce, FL 34949
772.489-6100
RENTALS INFO

AIRPORT OPTIONS

To/From Event Site:

45 Minute Drive:  West Palm (PBI)

90 Minute Drive: Orlando (MCO)

90 Minute Drive:  Fort Lauderdale (FLL)

120 Minute Drive:  Miami (MIA)

Who can participate? Any first responder, whether cadet, volunteer, or career, over 18 years of age, with a signed waiver can participate.  Junior firefighters/Fire Explorers can participate if they and their parents sign our waivers.

How do I register? You can find our schedule of event locations at www.firefighterchallenge.com.  Just click “register now” on your favorite location. 

How do I Manage Setting Up a Team in the System? Follow these instructions provided by RunSignUp:  DIRECTIONS

Why should I pre-register? Pre-registration allows us to properly order the correct number and sizes of T-shirts to ensure all participants get the location’s custom design.

Why do you charge for registration? The registration fee covers the cost for awards, medals, T-shirts and supports the mission of First Responder Institute.

What do I need to bring? All participants should bring their turnout gear, boots, gloves, and helmet. All gear must be NFPA 1971 approved.

What do I need to know if it’s my first run? Attend our Good 2 Go program.  Depending on the location, it will be the day before the Event, either in the late afternoon or a full day.  During these hours you will find veteran competitors and/or our staff eager to help you succeed.  You will be able to familiarize yourself with each area of the course and be fully ready to experience your first run. 

How many Categories can I sign up for? As many as you want.  Form relays and tandems, have a great time!

What are the rules and regulations?  Please find our rules and regulations on the Firefighter Challenge website.

Who is First Responder Institute? A 501(C)(3) tax-exempt organization. Learn more on our website. 

What is the Refund Policy? Our policy is stated on this same page up in the section above.

For All Questions Related to Using the RunSignUp Platform visit their website's support page  SUPPORT PAGE

An Event Registration Fee is refundable only if First Responder Institute, the 501(C)(3) tax-exempt umbrella organization of the Firefighter Challenge, cancels the Event. For the avoidance of doubt, Participant is not entitled to any refund once Participant is charged the Total Event Fees, except as expressly set forth below.

Canceled and Rescheduled Events.  You bear all risks of inclement weather. You also understand and agree that First Responder reserves the right to cancel the Event for any event that is beyond its reasonable control, including, without limitation, in the event of weather (and further including, but not limited to, pandemic, epidemic, heat, tornadoes, earthquakes, fires, storms, lightning and floods), accidents, acts or threats of war or terrorism, military conflicts, riots, government order, law or regulation, national or regional emergency or for any reason that would in the sole discretion of First Responder affect the safety and security of Event participants and/or spectators or the feasibility of the Event. You agree to hold First Responder harmless from any claim of any kind or nature that you may bring that is related to any cancellation or disruption of the Event. In the event of an Event cancellation for any reason, there will be no refund of your payment unless authorized by First Responder. If an Event is canceled, and you purchased your Event Registration through the First Responder site, you will be permitted to transfer/defer your registration to another Event, as set forth below. If First Responder issues you a refund for an Event Registration due to a canceled or postponed Event, First Responder will issue a refund of the Event Registration Fee and for all service fees paid. If a refund is issued, it will be issued using the same method of payment that was used to purchase the Event Registration. First Responder is not liable for travel or any other expenses that you (or anyone else) incurs in connection with a canceled or postponed Event.

Refunds and Transfers.  Before purchasing an Event Registration, carefully review your purchase. First Responder does not offer a refund of Event Registration Fees for any circumstances. You agree that you will not attempt to evade, avoid, or circumvent any refund prohibitions in any manner with regard to an Event Registration that you purchased. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, you will not contact First Responder to seek a refund. You will not dispute or otherwise seek a “chargeback” from the company whose credit card or the online payment method you used to purchase an Event registration from the First Responder site. Should you do so, your Event Registration may be canceled and First Responder may, in its sole discretion, refuse to honor pending and future Event registrations made from all credit card accounts or online accounts on which such chargebacks have been made, and may prohibit all persons in whose name the credit card accounts exist and any person who accesses any associated online account or credit card or who otherwise breaches this provision from using the site in the future.

Charity State Disclosure Notices
There are currently 27 jurisdiction that require charities to provide some form of disclosure statement when communicating with donors. Note that disclosure statement requirements for charities vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Prospective donors use disclosure statements to help in determining which charitable organizations is in line with their values before donating.

A copy of the latest financial report, registration filed by this organization, and a description of our programs and activities may be obtained by contacting us at: (P.O. Box 70127, Oro Valley, AZ 85755 or by phone at 301-615-0180). First Responder Institute, Inc. was formed in Maryland. If you are a resident of one of the following states, you may obtain financial information directly from the state agency:  VIEW DISCLOSURE NOTICES