FireFit Championships in Medicine Hat exhibit skill and stamina needed for firefighting tasks. Jayk Sterkenburg/CHAT News

By Jayk Sterkenburg

IN THE COMMUNITY

FireFit Championships in Medicine Hat showcase skill necessary for firefighting

Jun 1, 2025 | 4:00 PM

Demonstrating how physically demanding a firefighter’s line of work can be, the FireFit Championships took place in Medicine Hat Saturday and Sunday.

The self-proclaimed “toughest two minutes in sport” saw various challenges set up for firefighters from across the prairies to compete and exhibit their stamina.

Medicine Hat Fire Department and FireFit team captain Stephen Seymour said the competition simulates what firefighters might have to deal with at a scene.

“We’re kind of like the tip of the spear of our departments for staying in physical fitness, shape,” he said.

“For us, it’s camaraderie, it’s trying to better your time from one time to another,” he added.

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“The whole idea is not try to be better than the person beside you racing, but try to be better than yourself at the time before you raced.”

Seymour said the FireFit Championships simulate what firefighters might have to deal with at a scene. Jayk Sterkenburg/CHAT News

Medicine Hat Fire and Emergency Services said in a statement that hosting the competition showcases the skill and stamina fire service professionals need.

It said firefighters train not only to protect communities, but to push the limits of their resilience and teamwork.

The fire department said the FireFit challenge is more than a competition.

It said it’s a celebration of every firefighter’s discipline in the line of duty.

The competition features various challenges for firefighters, including a series of stairs to climb. Jayk Sterkenburg/CHAT News

Firefighter and FireFit team member Dylan Yanke said despite training, firefighters only have control over so many factors.

“We can control what we can, and we do that by training and through education and through physical fitness to make sure we’re prepared as best as we can,” he said.

“And then, whatever call comes our way, we answer that, and we problem-solve as we go.”

Yanke said despite training, firefighters only have control over so many factors. Jayk Sterkenburg/CHAT News

Yanke said apart from the competition, firefighters are always training hard, so they can be the best first responders possible.

Medicine Hat’s FireFit team will also compete in Saskatoon, Sask. on June 7, and Calgary on June 14.

The team is aiming to qualify for the national FireFit Championships event in St. Catherines, Ont. from Sept. 10 to 14.