Whiteman firefighters take on 'The Challenge'

  • Published
  • By the 509th Bomb Wing
  • Public Affairs Office
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo., --  Members of the Whiteman Fire Department are currently competing in the 2009 Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge in Las Vegas, putting their skills to the test against more than 600 fire departments from around the world.

The challenge annually attracts hundreds of U.S. and Canadian municipal fire departments at more than 25 locations and is now expanding to countries around the world, including New Zealand, Germany, Argentina, Chile, and South Africa, according to their site.

The purpose of the challenge is to encourage firefighter fitness and demonstrate the profession's rigors to the public.

During the competition, the firefighters wear "full bunker gear" and the SCOTT Air-Pak breathing apparatus, while going head-to-head in a number of events, including a linked series of five tasks: climbing a five-story tower, hoisting, chopping, dragging hoses and rescuing a life-sized, 175-lb. "victim" racing against themselves, their opponent and the clock.

Whiteman's team includes:

Airman 1st Class Dan Baumgartner
Airman 1st Class Timothy Vanden Haak
Senior Airman Megan Melanson
Tech. Sgt. Cory McGee
Mr. Chris Finkes

Air Force results for the 2009 Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge will be provided later today.