The Welsh Firefighter Fitness Challenge, which is part of the British Firefighter Challenge series, was organised by Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS).
The challenge helps to raise funds for the Fire Fighters Charity, which supports the mental well-being and physical health of all serving and retired members of the UK’s fire family.
The event, which sold out in a record time of 21 minutes, took part, for the third year, at the Dylan Thomas Square, Swansea Marina. The square was once again filled with spectators from start to finish throughout the entire day.
Each contestant was dressed in full structural firefighting kit where they took part in a series of physical challenges designed to test strength, agility, and stamina. There were a total of eight challenges to complete. This consisted of a 50m run, 50m hose carry, Road Traffic Collision (RTC) equipment carry and lift, hammer force, another 50m hose run, hose roll, container carry and finally the dummy drag. The fastest competitor to complete all eight challenges, won the race.
Alongside the firefighter fitness challenges, MAWWFRS hosted a ‘Community Safety Village’ where members of the public were able to access free safety advice and information from our Community Safety Team as well as from a variety of partnership organisations. Some of those that joined us on the day were: South Wales Police, Go Safe, Guide Dogs Cymru, Specsavers Mumbles, Wales and West Utilities, Sadie’s Butterflies, British Red Cross Swansea Bay University Health Board.
Chief Fire Officer Roger Thomas said:
“The Welsh Firefighter Fitness Challenge was a much-anticipated event, and I’m pleased to say despite the wet weather it exceeded expectations! The sense of community spirit was evident throughout the day from the enthusiastic cheers supporting the firefighters taking part in the challenge to the buzz of the Community Safety Village, where partners gathered to provide advice and information to the public.
The event helped raise vital funds and awareness for The Firefighter Charity. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated and contributed to making the Welsh Firefighter Challenge such a great success.”
