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***image1***Fire engines, police cars, emergency lights and sirens, a 150-foot ladder towering into the sky, a helicopter circling overhead and even the jaws-of-life were among the scenery at this year’s Firefighter Challenge in Buchenbeuren, Germany,
Sept. 14.
Three members of the 835th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Depart-ment and three members of the 569th U.S. Forces Police Squadron participated in the challenge and many more of the KMC’s own were present to show their support and enjoy the festivities. The 569th USFPS participated by bringing out a patrol car and allowing the locals to crawl inside and explore its interior.
“We felt this would be a good way to let the local communities know that we are good neighbors,” said Lt. Col. Joe Hogan, 569th USFPS commander.
The three participants from the 835th CES Fire Department competed against firefighters from neighboring stations in fire protection scenarios including a hose drag, in which an individual must drag 260 pounds of fire hose a distance of over 255 feet. Other scenarios included such feats as pulling a 200-pound dummy to safety and hauling 44-pound canisters up a 12-foot high scaffold.
Overcoming the tests of skill, strength and endurance, the 835th CES’s own Steffen Schunck came in third place.
“I practiced hard for these scenarios, but they are still very challenging,”said Mr. Schunck.
Staff Sgt. Jayson Adcock, who placed fourth overall, and Oliver Feix, both with the 835th CES, also participated in the challenge.
“Over 40 stations participated in the challenge,” said Oliver Socha, chief of the challenge and a firefighter with the 835th CES. “All together, it was a great event.”
At the end of the day, Firefighter Challenge 2008 turned out to be another blazing success for the community and for the KMC team.
