Louisville to Host Scott Firefighter Challenge

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (August 4, 2015) - The Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Louisville Sports Commission will welcome U.S. and Canadian firefighters to Louisville when it hosts the Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge® on Aug. 21-22.

This marks the first time that Louisville has hosted the Challenge, which seeks to encourage firefighter fitness and demonstrate the profession's rigors to the public. Wearing "full bunker gear" and the Scott 5.5 Air-Pak breathing apparatus, teams and individuals race head-to-head as they simulate the physical demands of real-life firefighting by performing a linked series of five tasks including climbing a five-story tower, hoisting, chopping, dragging hoses and rescuing a life-sized, 175 lb. "victim" as they race against themselves, their opponents and the clock.

"We are happy to welcome firefighters from across the region and Canada to Louisville for this event," said Bruce Roberts, division director with the Kentucky Fire Commission. "As a former firefighter, I know the rigors this competition will place on all the participants. With two days of competition, spectators will have several opportunities to see and appreciate the physical demands required of these men and women to do their jobs."

The Kentucky Fire Commission has been working with the Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge® since 2010 to bring the event to Louisville. There are currently more than 100 participants and 30 teams registered to compete. As of May 29, the following Louisville fire departments will have teams: Louisville Metro, Highview, St. Matthews, Okolona and Harrods Creek.

"We're delighted to be selected as a new site for the 2015 Challenge," said Karl Schmitt, Louisville Sports Commission president and CEO. "This event hits several of our mission's tenants - promote health and fitness, bring cool sporting events to town for people to see, and showcase what Louisville as to offer the firefighter athletes and their families. We hope fans will come out to enjoy the competition and support these firefighters' achievements."

The competition will take place at the PARC lot at 2nd and Liberty Streets; the daily schedule of events is:

August 21:

• 8 a.m. - Course set-up

• 5 p.m. - Opening ceremonies

• 5:30 p.m. - Individual competition begins

August 22:

• 5 p.m. - Relay and tandem competition begins

There will also be a children's competition each day from 6-9 p.m. This event is free to the public.

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