Events
Competition Category Types and Team Registration Instructions
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
Description
Are you ready to enter the Arena of the Brave, competing side-by-side with fellow firefighters on the most globally recognized challenge course in the fire service? Then here is your chance! The Official Firefighter Challenge™ is coming and is open to all firefighters regardless of where they are in their fitness journey.
Competitors will take on our skills-based course tackling what are known as the Five Essential Functions™ wearing full turnout gear and a self-contained breathing apparatus provided by 3M™ Scott™ Air-Pak™. Competitors can choose from individual, relay, or tandem competitions. Each race will duplicate the physical demands of real-life firefighting by climbing the five-story tower, hoisting, chopping, dragging hoses, and rescuing a life-sized, 175-pound “victim” as participants race against themselves, their opponents, and the clock. The camaraderie, encouragement, and takeaway experiences firefighters have at each event are immeasurable. This fun gathering of local, national, and international firefighters unites all involved in their inspiring and individual journeys of improving their personal and professional mental, physical and medical well-being. Preparing them to be the absolute best they can be in an occupation that demands they be ready to endure the unexpected at a moment's notice. Register today and come join us! You might just surprise yourself.
IMPORTANT NOTICE TO 2022 COMPETITORS
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
Event Schedule
Our Event Schedule is as follows:
· Thursday, May 5 – Course Setup in AM with open practice to follow
· Friday, May 6 – 4:30PM Opening Ceremony; 5:00PM Individuals Competition
· Saturday, May 7 - 9:00AM Relays, Teams, and Tandems Competition
Times above are the start of Opening Ceremonies and competition begins immediately afterwards.
To review the overall schedule of events that includes the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS event schedule click here: https://www.vbgov.com/government/departments/parks-recreation/special-events/Pages/Festival-of-Champions.aspx
Challenge Website
Additional Challenge information can be found at http://www.firefighterchallenge.com.
Place
Virginia Beach, VA US 23462
Hotel Information
Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn Virginia Beach Town Center
Address: 252 Town Center Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23462 757.326.6200
Group: Firefighter Combat Challenge block
Dates: May 5-9, 2022 (Thurs-Mon)
Rates: $144(1 King) / $164 (standard 2 queens) plus tax (fri, sat)
$129/$149 (Thurs, Sun)
Cancellation policy: 72 hours prior to arrival
Deadline to reserve: APRIL 4, 2022, by midnight
RP Code: FIRECC
Toll-free Reservations: 877-782-9444
Challenge Contact Info
If you have any questions about this Challenge, click the button below.
Cancellation/Refund Policy
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
Charity State Disclosure Notices
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
Directions
Challenge Survey
Please complete the following survey to help us better understand your challenge experience.
