'You've got to stay fit': Firefighters put their skills to the test at 2023 FireFit
A firefighter races his way through an skill-testing obstacle course at the 2023 FireFit Alberta/Yukon Regional Championship in Edmonton on Saturday. (John Hanson/CTV News Edmonton)
Some of the fittest firefighters from Alberta and the territories were in the Edmonton area Saturday to put their skills to the test.
The FireFit Alberta/Yukon Regional Championship saw 50 competitors battling it out on an obstacle course designed to test their fire fighting abilities.
FireFit originated as a training exercise in B.C., and has been touring nationally since 1994.
Dale McRoberts, former FireFit president, said the competition is a way for firefighters to stay in shape and keep their skills sharp.
"It's healthy training, as all firefighters should do," Roberts said. "If you're going to have a successful career, a 30-year career doing physical work, you've got to stay fit."
Firefighters donned their gear to tackle the course and test their speed, strength and endurance through tasks commonly performed in emergency situations.
A firefighter carries a dummy to safety at the 2023 FireFit Alberta/Yukon Regional Championship in Edmonton on Saturday. (John Hanson/CTV News Edmonton)
Strathcona County's FireFit team were the reigning World and National Champions heading into the competition, taking home four gold medals in 2022.
The competition pits regional teams against each other, but Roberts said there's more to it than that.
"This isn't only for people who are racing to be number one," Roberts said. "A lot of firefighters test themselves on this and they have their own personal goals, so they are winners every time.
"They keep improving, they stay fit and they're better at their job."
National championships will take place in September in Sarnia, Ont.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING
DEVELOPING All sides, including senior Liberals calling for Speaker to resign, as Rota set to meet party reps
Pressure is ramping up for House of Commons Speaker Anthony Rota to resign, with all parties now publicly calling for him to 'do the honourable thing,' and vacate the Speaker's chair over his invitation to and the House's subsequent recognition of a man who fought for a Nazi unit during the Second World War.
Canadian air force investigating 'inappropriate and unapproved' call sign broadcast on U.K. flight
The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) is investigating an ‘inappropriate and unapproved’ call sign that was transmitted electronically from one of its aircraft on Monday.
Ontario businessman loses $38K in cheque-cashing scam
An Ontario businessman says he has to pay about $38,000 after he was the victim of a cheque-cashing scam and failed to immediately report the fraudulent activity to his bank. The businessman says that the reason for the delay is because he doesn't use online banking.
'Deeply hurtful': Polish ambassador condemns Nazi veteran's invitation to Canada's Parliament
Polish ambassador to Canada says House Speaker Anthony Rota's apology doesn’t go far enough after a Nazi veteran was honoured in the House of Commons last Friday.
What happens after you swallow gum? Experts weigh in
If you’re one of many people who have swallowed a whole piece of chewing gum by accident, one question likely popped in your head right after that startling sensation.
Poster advertising 'whites-only' children's playtime sparks outrage in B.C. community
Police have launched an investigation into a poster inviting "proud parents of European children" to participate in racially segregated playtime in B.C.'s Lower Mainland.
Developer says it's moving to build 5,000 rental units because of Liberals' GST break
A Toronto-based real estate company says it is planning to build 5,000 new rental units in urban centres across the country as a result of the federal government's decision to eliminate GST charges on rental developments.
No new oil, coal projects needed as fossil fuel demand to peak this decade: IEA
Even if no new government climate policies are introduced before 2030, global demand for fossil fuels will still peak before the end of the decade, a new report by the International Energy Agency states.
How the Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce connection started with a friendship bracelet
Taylor Swift fans have famously worn and traded personalized friendship bracelets, typically featuring the names of her songs and albums. So when Swift played Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City Chiefs’ tight end Travis Kelce said he made a play by attempting to give her a friendship bracelet with his phone number.
Calgary
-
'Unprecedented numbers': Alberta sees huge demand at food banks
A new report from Food Banks Canada shines a light on the growing number of Canadians struggling to feed themselves.
-
Calgary man shot to death through window of Pineridge home: police
Calgary police have released the name of a man killed in the community of Pineridge over the weekend.
-
Calgary, Edmonton reveal jerseys for upcoming Heritage Classic
When the Calgary Flames take on the Edmonton Oilers at Commonwealth Stadium next month, both teams will be decked out in some new duds.
Saskatoon
-
Saskatoon police requesting public’s assistance locating missing 15-year-old
The Saskatoon Police Service is asking the public for help locating a missing 15-year-old boy.
-
'Not how we wanted to find her': Saskatoon police renew calls for details in historic homicide
Saskatoon police are calling on the public for information about a 16-year-old homicide investigation.
-
Saskatoon police: Groups of men in their 30s clashed with sticks, pipes and a bat
Police were called to an incident Friday night that initially sounded like a group of teens may have been battling it out in a city park.
Regina
-
Regina man charged with endangering lives after 26 gas meters sabotaged
A man in Regina is facing 31 charges after allegedly causing gas leaks at 26 natural gas meters throughout downtown over the weekend.
-
Parole board staff feared threats as public learned of Sask. mass killer's prior release, emails show
Parole Board of Canada employees were fearful of threats after it was revealed a mass killer in Saskatchewan was on statutory release at the time of last year's rampage, emails show.
-
'Switching it up': After 3 straight losses the Riders are looking to get back in win column
The Saskatchewan Roughriders have not won a game since the Labour Day Classic and are currently on a three-game slide after their weekend loss to the Ottawa Redblacks.
Atlantic
-
Nova Scotia ambulance service plagued by continuing poor response times: auditor
A new report says Nova Scotia's ambulance service is in a "critical state" and isn't meeting mandated response times for patient transfers at hospitals.
-
School bus collides with vehicle in N.B.
No injuries were reported Tuesday morning after a school bus collided with a vehicle in Weldon, N.B.
-
Inflation impacts on Maritime tourism
As the summer winds down, so does the tourist season in the Maritimes, and while some visitors are returning — there's been a change in travel patterns across the American border.
Toronto
-
Ontario businessman loses $38K in cheque-cashing scam
An Ontario businessman says he has to pay about $38,000 after he was the victim of a cheque-cashing scam and failed to immediately report the fraudulent activity to his bank. The businessman says that the reason for the delay is because he doesn't use online banking.
-
Possible 'vehicle convoy' prompts police to shut down roads around Queen's Park
Toronto police said they have shut down roads surrounding Queen's Park and hospital row this morning in anticipation of a possible demonstration involving 'a number of vehicles.'
-
TTC head confirms cause of Scarborough RT derailment
The Scarborough RT derailed this past summer after bolts holding down power rails came loose, TTC CEO Rick Leary says.
Montreal
-
Man, 49, dies in hospital after being stabbed in Westmount, Que.
A man was killed after being stabbed in the town of Westmount, on the island of Montreal, on Monday night.
-
4 families relocated after fire rips through homes in Laval
Four homes were damaged and four families were relocated after a fire broke out in Laval on Tuesday morning.
-
Three fishers die after boat sinks off Quebec coast, three others rescued
Quebec provincial police say three people are dead after a fishing boat sunk off the province's Lower North Shore early this morning.
Ottawa
-
'Absolutely it was racially motivated' says RBC bank client after police called to investigate transaction
An Ottawa woman plans to file a human rights complaint against the Royal Bank of Canada after a routine trip to her branch to pick-up her credit card resulted in what she calls a dehumanizing and racist experience to prove her identity to police.
-
Traffic resumes on St. Lawrence Seaway after stuck ship refloated
The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation says marine traffic has resumed after a ship that ran aground near Cornwall, Ont. was successfully refloated.
-
What's open and closed in Ottawa on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Saturday, Sept. 30 is the third annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada. The statutory holiday will be observed on Monday, Oct. 2.
Kitchener
-
'We’re being kicked out': Encampment residents ordered to leave Cambridge’s Soper Park
Less than one month after a large encampment in Cambridge was cleared, a new one in Soper Park is drawing concerns.
-
Credit cards stolen from Waterloo home while victim slept: Police
Waterloo regional police have released pictures of someone they’re trying to identify in connection to an overnight break-in in Waterloo.
-
Willow River Centre targeted by vandalism
A new queer and Indigenous-led centre in Kitchener has been targeted by vandalism, less than two weeks before it's set to open to the public.
Northern Ontario
-
Federal offender wanted on Canada-wide warrant known to frequent these Ontario cities
A federal offender is wanted on a Canada-wide warrant for breaching his statutory release.
-
Poster advertising 'whites-only' children's playtime sparks outrage in B.C. community
Police have launched an investigation into a poster inviting "proud parents of European children" to participate in racially segregated playtime in B.C.'s Lower Mainland.
-
Ontario businessman loses $38K in cheque-cashing scam
An Ontario businessman says he has to pay about $38,000 after he was the victim of a cheque-cashing scam and failed to immediately report the fraudulent activity to his bank. The businessman says that the reason for the delay is because he doesn't use online banking.
Winnipeg
-
Federal minister criticizes Manitoba Tory ad that cites rejection of landfill search
Manitoba's Progressive Conservatives came under fire Monday for taking out a newspaper ad that highlights, in part, the province's decision to not search a landfill for the remains of two Indigenous women.
-
Manitobans split on support for landfill search: poll
New polling data shows Manitobans are almost split equally on whether or not to search a Winnipeg-area landfill for the remains of two Indigenous women.
-
Winnipeg crash leaves one dead, three injured
A single-car crash in Winnipeg on Sunday night has left one person dead and three others in the hospital
Vancouver
-
DEVELOPING
DEVELOPING All sides, including senior Liberals calling for Speaker to resign, as Rota set to meet party reps
Pressure is ramping up for House of Commons Speaker Anthony Rota to resign, with all parties now publicly calling for him to 'do the honourable thing,' and vacate the Speaker's chair over his invitation to and the House's subsequent recognition of a man who fought for a Nazi unit during the Second World War.
-
3 more B.C. First Nations gain control over on-reserve education
At a ceremony on the Capilano Reserve, three First Nations celebrated agreements with the B.C. and federal governments that put control of on-reserve education in their hands.
-
These are 10 of the most expensive homes on the market in B.C.
It’s no secret that British Columbia is home to the most expensive properties in the country. What can tens of millions of dollars get you in this hub of luxury real estate?
Vancouver Island
-
Vancouver Island humanitarian group to return to Ukraine this fall
The war in Ukraine has been raging on now for more than 500 days, displacing millions of people from the country and killing tens of thousands of military personnel and civilians alike.
-
Nanaimo RCMP seek pickup truck after man suffers life-threatening injuries in motorcycle crash
Police in Nanaimo are looking for witnesses and dashcam video of a motorcycle crash that sent a rider to hospital with life-threatening injuries.
-
Thousands without power, wind warnings remain on Vancouver Island
More than 6,000 BC Hydro customers were without power Monday morning as a fall storm brought heavy winds and rains to the region.
