Hamilton firefighters test fitness at FireFit competition

What does it take to be a firefighter?

Let's start with the stairs.

Try climbing six flights of stairs while carrying a 40-pound bundled hose. When you reach the top, hoist an equally heavy donut hose up six storeys. On your way down, make sure you touch every step as a safety measure.

Now pick up a hammer at the force machine that simulates breaking into a door. Complete a serpentine run. Pick up a fully charged hose that can weigh up to 400 pounds.

Now you are faced with a 175-pound dummy who needs your help. Drag it 100 feet from the scene. Backwards.

Easy enough?

Try completing the tasks in full bunker gear on a hot summer day.

And finishing in just over one minute.

A group of Hamilton firefighters did exactly that on Sunday as part of the FireFit competition. The 20-year-old national competition tests firefighters' ability to perform tasks commonly required in emergency situations.

• Take a boat ride with Hamilton's marine unit

Firefighters from around 30 departments across the country met at the city's waterfront over the weekend, vying for a spot at the national championship in September.

According to Dean Morrow, a veteran Hamilton firefighter of 14 years and organizer of the event, teams from Ontario, Quebec, and as far as Fort McMurray, Alta., took part in the weekend race. 

Hamilton finished second place at Sunday's team relay, after a slip-up that sent Oakville to the first spot. Nonetheless, its performance over the weekend was enough to qualify the team for the national championship in Longueuil, Que., in September.

The fierce competition didn't stop the camaraderie. There was plenty of fist-pumping and cheering.

"It's one big family," Morrow told CBC Hamilton. "There isn't one person I would not call my brother."

Take a look at the competition photo gallery, and watch the video as Hamilton firefighters face off against their counterparts from the County of Brant, during the team relay competition.