The World Firefighter Combat Challenge pits the best firefighters from around the world against each other in competition. According to WSFA 12 News, challengers will climb a five-story tower, grab a heavy hose and descend the tower again. They must then pull a 175 pound dummy down a stretch of the competition grounds, and they must do all of this while wearing 80 pounds of fire gear or more.
The world finals for this event was recently held in Montgomery, Alabama. The news source reported that over 600 firefighters showed up to compete. Many of the competitors were large, very fit men. However, Sarah Fraiser, a firefighter with the Clinton Fire Department in Mississippi, wants people to know the challenge is not just for men. In fact, 5 percent of this year's participants are women, according to the news source.
The 33-year-old mother of one told WSFA 12 News that the challenge was tough but she was proud to be a part of it. Fraiser and another female firefighter, Cheri Ardion of Louisiana, both did well enough in their brackets to move on to the next round.
The finals will take place on Oct. 24.