Members of the Montgomery Fire/Rescue Department were proclaimed 2014 World Champions Sunday in the Firefighter Combat Challenge World Challenge XXIII in Phoenix. In claiming the top honor, Montgomery Fire/Rescue went up against the best firefighter teams in the world, setting new world records in a spirited fire services competition that promotes fitness and highlights the readiness and skills required of firefighters in meeting the demands of their jobs.
In early competition Sunday, the Montgomery team set a new world record-breaking time of 1:07.60 in the relay, toppling the previous world record, which had stood since 2010. The new world record lasted only a few hours, however. Montgomery Fire/Rescue soon shattered the record it had claimed earlier in the day, setting a new world record of 1:07.22 and cementing the team's place as 2014 World Champions.



The team's No. 1 supporter, Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange, said, 'To be the best you have to beat the best, and that's just what our team did by winning the world championship yesterday ' shattering two world records in the process.



'The bar is now much higher for future competitions, thanks to an amazing showing by Montgomery's Bravest! These courageous firefighters are dedicated to serving our city on a daily basis, and in doing so, they are shining examples of the best in our community and the best in the world,' said the mayor.



Montgomery Fire Chief Miford Jordan said the win indicates the high standards Montgomery Fire/Rescue strives to uphold. 'I could not be prouder of our team for this remarkable win,' said Jordan, 'but what this really signifies is the caliber of firefighters who serve our city.



'Firefighting is hard, physically demanding work, and every second counts,' the chief said. 'As firefighters, when we improve in fitness and health, we improve the quality of our service to the public.'



Montgomery Fire/Rescue claimed top honors when Montgomery hosted the regional Combat Challenge Oct. 17-18. The team then won the Nationals Oct. 23-25 in Tyler, Texas, setting up its championship bid during the World Challenge. In winning the World Challenge, Montgomery Fire/Rescue bested teams from throughout the United States and from New Zealand, Brazil, Poland, Canada, Germany, Slovenia and Portugal.




Team members bringing home the gold from Phoenix are Jonathon Stuart, Denver Thompson, Jake Lanier, Reed Dutton, Christian Dealba, Harry Brown and Lee Julian. In winning the challenge, team members competed in individual, tandem, team and relay races.



The competition features a course comprising five events: forcible entry, victim rescue, the hose hoist, the hose advance, and the high-rise pack carry. Wearing 50 pounds of firefighting gear, firefighters race against the clock in completing the course.



Each year teams of firefighters compete in Firefighter Combat Challenge events during the spring and summer, leading up to the national and world competitions each fall. Montgomery Fire/Rescue fielded its first Combat Challenge team in 2010.