Macon Bibb Firefighters Hold Competition Event

Firefighters converged at the Georgia State Fair to participate in the annual Firefighter's Competition Event where teams of firefighters compete in timed scenarios that focus on job related skills.Each timed event requires a team of Firefighters to perform specific tasks designed to focus on teamwork and actual skills used in their day to day activities as firefighters,with a bit of fun thrown into the mix.The events were Individual Rapid Dress,Team Rapid Dress,Busted Hose,Double Hose line Advance,Hose Relay and Bucket Brigade.Teams were made up of Firefighters from their respective Battalion and shift. Each Battalion represents a region of the City or County located within a specified Fire District and the Fire stations and personnel that are assigned there.Our department has three designated Battalions and two shifts therefore, there are six teams that can compete against one another.
This year a group of Recruit Firefighter Trainees,in their seventh week of training, assembled a team to compete against the “Old Veteran Firefighters” and held their own through out the competition. Teams are awarded points for placing first (20pts), second (15pts) or third (5pts.) in each timed event. Trophies are awarded for first place and second place in each with the “Overall Competition Winner” trophy being awarded to the team that scores the most cumulative points for all events. The Individual Rapid Dress Event winner is also awarded a trophy as well. The overall competition winners have the honor of representing our department in the State Firefighter’s Competition to be held this August in Savannah Georgia.
This years representing team comes from Battalion 21-Shift One under the direction of “Team Captain” Nat Hall and Battalion Chief James Wallace. Battalion 21-Shift One protects the Fire District of Downtown Macon, East Macon, and East Bibb County. The Individual Rapid Dress winner is Firefighter Ellen Kicklighter who rapidly dressed in all turnout gear, helmet, gloves, and breathing apparatus in 47.9 seconds. Pvt. Kicklighter is the first female firefighter to ever win this event in our competitions’ history. We are especially thankful to our Mayor Robert Reichert, City Council, Fire Chief Marvin Riggins, and all those responsible for allowing our Firefighters to “Shine” as they participated in the activities held during this years Georgia State Fair.(See Fire Department Photo Gallery)