Firefighters Challenge - Presented by Catawba County EMS Hardship Fund Inc.

1 American Legion Ave
Newton, NC US 28658

If you have any questions about this race, click the button below.

Questions?

Catawba County EMS Employees established the Catawba County EMS Hardship Fund, Inc., a
non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation to provide emergency assistance to EMS personnel who work for
Catawba County.
“The creation of the fund is a result of what our staff faced as we were trying to help an EMS employee
who was stricken with cancer,” said Bryan Blanton, Catawba County EMS Manager. “As employees
scrambled to provide assistance, some of us realized this type of situation would inevitably come up
again and they wanted to be prepared. Many emergency medical personnel have other jobs in addition
to volunteering in the community. When a catastrophe such as a serious illness strikes, they often
aren’t able to work or volunteer in their other capacities as well. This can be devastating for the
employee and his or her family. Financial need is strong in such situations, but there are also many
other needs that we are hoping this fund will help them address.”
Though financial support is always appreciated greatly by those who receive it, having assistance with
chores can be just as important. To better address this type of need, the Hardship Fund has also
established a list of volunteer employees who are willing to offer practical help such as mowing the
lawn, preparing food, providing respite care, or any other assistance an employee may need.
Donations, which are tax deductable, will be gratefully accepted. Checks may also be mailed to Catawba
County EMS Hardship Fund, PO Box 389, Newton NC 28658.
The Hardship Fund will be managed by a Board of Directors. Board members include: Elayne Sinclair,
President; Bryan Blanton, Vice-President; Greg Johnson, Treasurer; Debra Bechtel, Secretary; Steve von
Drehle, Corky Upchurch and Dr. Charlie McKaraher.
All of the board members felt very strongly about providing assistance to those willing to make personal
sacrifices and administer emergency care to the public each and every day.
“EMS personnel do so much for our community and this is an opportunity for us to give back to them,”
said Board member Steve von Drehle.
EMS employees are contributing their time and money to the fund so, when an emergency occurs, they
are ready to help immediately. For example, a very successful fundraiser was held in March following
the death of the employee who was stricken with cancer. The proceeds assisted the family with funeral
expenses.
For further information about the Catawba County EMS Hardship Fund, you may contact Bryan Blanton,
Catawba County EMS Manager, at 828-465-8234.

All sales are final. No refunds for this event.
Catawba County EMS Hardship Fund Inc. reserves the right to modify, change, reschedule, or cancel this event.

Station #1 (Gear/Saw Carry)

-          Start from a seated position (air horn will start the event)

-          Must have all gear on properly before moving to the saw carry

o   Pants

o   Coat

o   Helmet

o   Boots

o   Gloves

o   Air Pack (provided) (no mask and no using air)

-          Must place saws in designated box to complete station

 

Infractions-

o   Not completely putting all gear on (each button/snap, zipper completely closed, helmet strap buckled, etc. (10 seconds)

o   Dropping saws before they are placed In the box (10 seconds)

o   Not placing the saws completely in the box  (10 seconds)

o   Starting before the air horn sounds (Automatic Disqualified)

o   Not completing the event (Automatic Disqualified)

Station #2 (Ladder Climb/Hose Hoist)

-          Must use every rung going up and down (no skipping rungs)

-          Must pull hose over the hand rail (not under)

-          Hose must be placed in the designated box to complete the hose hoist station

 

Infractions-

o   Not using every rung (10 seconds per rung)

o   Dropping the hose roll to the ground before it reaches the landing area              (10 seconds)

o   Not placing the hose roll completely in the box  (10 seconds)

o   Not completing the event (Automatic Disqualified)

 

 

 

 

Station #3 (keiser Sled)

-          Move the sled from one designated line to the other end using the provided hammer

-          Station judge will indicate when the sled reached the correct distance

-          Hammer must be placed completely in the designated box when station is complete

Infractions-

o   Not placing the hammer back in the designated box when station is complete  (10 seconds)

o   Not completing the event (Automatic Disqualified)

Station #4 (Cone Course/Hose Drag)

-         Run/walk between cones

-         Pull charged hose line a distance of 100’

-         Nozzle must break the plan of the window before opening to knock the object off the cone

Infractions-

o   Knocking down a cone (10 per cone that falls)

o   Not going between every cone (10 per cone)

o   The tip of the nozzle not breaking the plain of the window before opening (10 Seconds)

o   Not completing the event (Automatic Disqualified)

 Station #5 (Dummy Drag)

-          Pull a 160lb rescue dummy 50’

-          The dummy must be drug in a motion that requires the participant and the dummy to be facing away from the finish line (participant and dummy must be moving backwards)

-          The feet must cross the finish line to complete the station (air horn will stop the event)

Infractions-

o   Any time one hand comes off of the dummy after the participants & dummy have started their backwards motion (10 seconds)

o   If the participant and dummy fall to the ground during their backwards motion (Automatic Disqualified)

o   Not completing the event (Automatic Disqualified)

 

Key Notes

-          There will be one field judge and individual station judges  

o   Both judges must agree to a clean & complete run of each station

o   Both judges will discuss any infractions and collectively agree to all

-          Person in charge at station #1 will check all gear prior to the event starting

o   Must be NFPA approved structural firefighting gear

o   If a piece of gear is in question, then both field judge & station judge will determine the ruling.

-          Each station must be completed before the individual moves to the next station              

o   The station judge will signal when the station is complete   

-          Only the individual participant, field judge, & station judges are to be on the course while it’s being ran during the singles event

-          Only the individual participants, field judge, & station judges are to be on the course while it’s being ran during the team event

-          During the team event, the individual must touch the next participant before he/she starts the next station

-          Any person caught cheating will be disqualified

-          An air horn blast will signal the time clock to start and stop

Click the icon below to download the attached PDF.