82nd MDG extinguishes the competition

Senior Airman Gustave Bromme, 82nd Medical Support Squadron radiology technician, leads his team from the 82nd Medical Group in the Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, firefighter challenge, Oct. 14, 2016. This challenge demonstrates various tasks firefighters might have to perform in order to fight fires and save lives. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kyle E. Gese)

82nd MDG extinguishes the competition

A team of Airmen from the 82nd Medical Group and the 82nd Security Forces Squadron, compete head-to-head in the Sheppard Air Force Base, firefighter challenge, Oct. 14, 2016. Each team had to knock over the cones in their lanes with the fire hose in-order to progress to the next challenge. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kyle E. Gese)

82nd MDG extinguishes the competition

Senior Airman Carmen Pontello, 82nd Security Forces Squadron defender, rapidly fills an oil drum during the Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, firefighter challenge, Oct. 14, 2016. The bucket brigade challenge involves transporting water from a nearby reservoir, to an empty oil drum. Each team must fill the drum until balls floating inside overflow. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kyle E. Gese)

82nd MDG extinguishes the competition

Airmen competing in the Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, firefighter challenge, use these buckets in a bucket brigade, Oct. 14, 2016. The bucket brigade challenge involves transporting water from a nearby reservoir, to an empty oil drum. Each team must fill the drum until balls floating inside overflow. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kyle E. Gese)

82nd MDG extinguishes the competition

The 82nd Medical Group team receives the Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, firefighter challenge championship trophy, Oct. 14, 2016. The firefighter challenge demonstrates various tasks firefighters might have to perform in order to fight fires and save lives. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kyle E. Gese)

82nd MDG extinguishes the competition

Published Oct. 17, 2016
By Senior Airman Kyle E. Gese
82nd Training Wing Public Affairs

SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --

Two Sheppard teams competed for the championship title during the Sheppard Fire Fighter Challenge, Sept. 14, 2016.

As part of Fire Prevention Week, the 82nd Training Wing’s Fire Department holds the Sheppard Firefighter Challenge to emphasize the importance of fire prevention. The competition fired up with the 82nd Medical Group and the 82nd Security Forces Squadron competing in a timed match of endurance and willpower.

It tested their strength with the buddy carry, dragging a 175-pound mannequin; their momentum with the Keiser Force Machine, simulating a chopping-action by driving a 160-pound sled with a sledge hammer; their accuracy with the water polo, discharging a water hose at a weighted object to push it to across the line; their teamwork with a target elimination, rotating between players to knock down cones with a fire hose; and lastly their speed with the bucket brigade, transporting water to an empty oil drum.

These challenges were nothing short of a catalyst for an accelerated struggle for survival. Each team won a match pushing them into overtime. On the third round, the 82nd MDG and 82nd SFS were head-to-head in an explosive effort to extinguish the competition and take home the title.

It was a close match, but on the last challenge, the 82nd MDG team expertly quenched the bucket brigade challenge, putting them in first place by just a few seconds.

“We want to thank everyone for coming out today,” said David Mounsey, 82nd Civil Engineer Squadron fire chief. “Every year we hold this competition during, fire prevention week. Fire prevention is important all year long, but once a year we emphasize its importance during this week.”

Soon, the Sheppard fire department will have yet another opportunity to advocate for fire prevention, and showcase the capabilities of the 82nd Training Wing by competing in the worldwide Firefighter Combat Challenge in Montgomery, Alabama, Oct. 24-29, 2016.

“This competition involves challenges similar to those we face in our job, but at a faster pace,” said Mounsey. “You've really got to be at the top of your game to compete. It requires you to be physically fit and these guys have been preparing themselves for months.”