BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW
When Jimmy Kolar and Ron Hache both won their
respective age divisions at the 2005 Canadian Firefighter
Combat Challenge, they came back with more than just medals and
personal glory.
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Ron Hache, left, and Jimmy Kolar
won first place in their respective age divisions at
the 2005 Canadian Firefighter Combat Challenge. |
They came back with something that will help
the entire community of Greater Sudbury.
For winning their divisions, both Kolar and
Hache were presented with prize certificates from Scott Health
and Safety Equipment (located in the United States) in the
amount of $6,000 US combined.
Kolar and Hache are donating the money to
Greater Sudbury Fire Services, with a request the money be used
towards a purchase of a thermal-imaging camera.
"We would like to pick up the camera because
it will help us do our jobs more effectively," said Kolar. "The
camera is a great piece of equipment because it would allow us
to see through smoke and darkness to locate people trapped in a
burning building. The camera also acts as a heat sensor, so we
would know where there are hot spots in a burning
structure."
The combat challenge involves gruelling
firefighting-related tasks that have to be done in two minutes
or less. The 2005 event was held in Edmonton from Sept. 15 to
18.
The firefighters, in full gear, raced through
a course while carrying 42 pounds of hose up six flights of
stairs, hauling another 42-pound hose roll up from the ground
with a rope, using a heavy mallet to push a 165-pound beam five
feet on a track, running through an obstacle course of cones
and ending the experience by pulling a life-sized dummy 100
feet across the finish line.
As for winning the challenges, the local
firefighters were feeling great about their efforts.
Kolar, 43, won first place in the 40-and-over
category. It took Kolar 1:30.67 to blaze through the
course.
It was his fourth time trying to win first
place at the nationals.
"This is the sweetest one of them all," said
Kolar. "It has taken me four tries, but I have finally won
first place. This was my goal for the last four years, and to
finally reach it is a great feeling."
To finally taste victory, all Kolar did was
keep his mind at ease.
"This year, I had no negative thoughts," said
Kolar. "I was positive all the way through and made no
mistakes. This is about personal satisfaction more than
anything."
Kolar is happy to put Sudbury firefighters on
the map.
"We're a smaller department and we don't have
the facilities our competitors have, so in a way, it makes this
victory even sweeter," he said. "Not every firefighter can do
this. It's all about determination, training and commitment.
It's not a fun thing to do."
For Hache, 53, it was another personal
victory. Hache won first in the 50-and-over division.
It took him 2:01 to clear the course.
"It feels good that I can do this competition
and win at the age of 53," said Hache. "I shattered my heel a
few years ago, so I initially did it because I wanted to prove
I could still do the work necessary for our job. This
competition simulates everything we do in an actual firefight.
It gives me confidence I can do my job. It also encourages me
and keeps me focused towards a goal."
Fire Chief Donald Donaldson was impressed
with the efforts of the men.
"We are extremely proud of their
accomplishments," Donaldson said. "They are role models for all
of our firefighters to follow. They're in top physical shape
and they are better firefighters as a result of the training
they do for this competition. When you're in top physical shape
you have a better chance of surviving the job. They are both
wonderful individuals."
Rick Landry, Craig McPhee, Dave Fortier and
Nolan Bell also competed at the combat challenge.
Kolar said there is an impressive group of
younger Sudbury firefighters eager to compete at future
challenges.
"There's Jesse Fram, Jess Laronde and Jeff
Guillet who are getting involved in this as well," said Kolar.
"These are three guys that can be top competitors too. I see
them reaching the Top-10 in Canadian competition in the next
year or so."
Kolar and Hache will now train even harder
for the World Championships, which takes place the first
weekend in November in Florida.
