Welcome
Our Next National Event In 2025 Will Be Taking Place On The Parade, High Street, Watford.
About
The British Firefighter Challenge
The British Firefighter Challenge is a competition organised by Firefighters, for Firefighters.
It is an annual sporting event which pushes firefighters to their limits, provides a day of entertainment for spectators, and raises important funds for charities that support emergency services.
The 2025 event will return to Watford High Street, Watford on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th July 2025.
Video
Highlights from the 2024 event
The Challenges
Click on the challenge images below for more information.
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NOT SO EASY IN HEAVY GEAR.
Competitors will start at the base of the three-story Crofton Tower, both feet on the ground, competitors may have one or both hands on the hand rails provided prior to the stair climb. On the sounding of the start horn, the competitor will ascend the stairs to the top of the tower. Competitors may climb more than one step at a time on the way up but they must use the external handrail provided at all times within the marked off areas.
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THEY’RE HEAVIER THAN THEY LOOK
Once a competitor has reached the top of the Crofton Tower, they must haul up one length of 70mm delivery hose using 16mm Harken Industrial competition line. The hose pack must be hauled over the guard rail provided and then placed into the box provided to complete this section.
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DOWN IS NO EASIER THAN UP.
Upon placing the hose in the box, the competitor must then descend the Crofton Tower to the ground floor, whilst descending the stairs, the competitor must step on every single step and have one hand on the external handrail within the marked off areas.
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FORCIBLE ENTRY.
Following the stairs, the competitor then proceeds by the marked route to the Forcible Entry Machine. The competitor must have both feet on the platform and using the hammer provided, hit the weight the full distance of the machine to complete this section.
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IT GETS HEAVIER WITH EVERY STEP.
The competitor must advance a branch and hosepipe, consisting of three lengths of 70mm lay flat delivery hose (which is already connected to a LPP or similar) by dragging the hose up to a maximum of 60m in length. A marked line will be visible and the competitor must drop the branch over this line to complete this section.
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ROLL, LIFT, CARRY, DROP.
Following the hose drag, the competitor will proceed to the hose makeup area where one length of 70mm lay flat delivery hose (provided by Angus Fire) will be rolled out on the floor, the competitor must roll up the hose and once completed, carry it to the box provided and place it inside. The hose must be placed fully inside the box.
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FOUR HEAVY FOAM CONTAINERS.
Four foam containers weighing approx 20kg each will be collected from one area and placed in another area approx 10m away, the containers must be placed in the marked area provided and not thrown or slid into the area.
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DRAG A 70KG DUMMY TO THE FINISH LINE.
A 70kg drill dummy (provided by Ruth Lee) must be dragged from it’s location to a finish line approx 50m away, the competition will be completed only when the dummy is completely over the finish line. The time stops when the feet of the dummy cross the line.
Rules & Penalties
Must compete in own, approved personal protection equipment.
We reserve the right to change aspects of the competition without notice.
All competitors must finish the course within six minutes
Breathing apparatus is provided & must be worn by all competitors.
The decision of The British Firefighter Challenge official is always final.
Non compliance with the rules and regulations will always result in disqualification.
The Weekend
Something For Everyone!
As well as the firefighter challenges there is lots for spectators to do on the weekend of the event too.
From the live music keeping competitors and crowd alike uplifted, to the fire engines on display.
We also have community safety activities and even a Junior Firefighter Challenge for the kids to try!
This really is a great family day out.
Meet The Team
Behind The Event
John Gregory
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service
Michael Joseph
Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service
Christopher Trendowicz
Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service
Robert Budge
Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service
Order Of The Weekend 2025
We will have mixed ages on both Saturday and Sunday.
Simply register for the day you want to race on.
(Dependent on spaces of course) Registration will open on January 1st 2025, so don’t miss out.
Males
will compete on Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th
Females
will compete on Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th
Relay
the relay event will take place on
Sunday 27th between 1pm-5pm
Endorsements
The British Firefighter Challenge 2025 is endorsed by:
sponsors
The British Firefighter Challenge 2025 will be brought to you thanks to the generous support of:
our platinum sponsors
our gold sponsors
our silver sponsors
our bronze sponsors
Trophies Sponsored By:
T Shirts Sponsored By:
Bags Sponsored By:
THE FIREFIGHTERS
Podcast
The British Firefighter Challenge Team invites you to listen to some truly inspiring stories. These interviews celebrate the firefighters, volunteers, sponsors, and organisers that help make Firefighter Challenges a community. The podcasts are made by Pete Wakefield, at The Firefighters Podcast.
View all the results tables going back to our first event in 2016
