It used to be called the fastest two minutes in sport, but it may soon be called the fastest sport in 60 seconds.
The 2025 World and Canadian FireFit Championships are underway in the Garden City – hosted by St. Catharines Fire Services.
The event runs until late Sunday afternoon in the parking lot of the Seymour-Hannah Centre on St. Paul Street West.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to see the FireFit Canadian and World Championships here in St. Catharines,” said Mayor Mat Siscoe.
“Thanks to the dedication of our St. Catharines Fire Combat Team and the support from the Mayor’s SCORE Fund, we’ve watched this event grow into something truly spectacular. It’s a fantastic celebration of skill , community and team work.”
One member of the St. Catharines Fire relay team is competitor and organizer of the event, Merritton native Corey Miller.
Miller, who battled back from a broken leg earlier this year to be able to compete this week, will finish his team’s relay carrying a 175-pound mannequin nicknamed ‘Rescue Randy’ down the 100-foot course.
He encourages everyone in Niagara to attend the free event.
“It’s a great place to find role models for kids in the community, and a great place to showcase the fitness and the positive attitudes of fire service members in St. Catharines,” said Miller recently on the Niagara Sports Report on 610 CKTB.
Here’s a look at what one of the most gruelling events in sports consists of:
1. FireFit Relay (3 – 5 person relay)
● FireFit Relay a team must consist of 3 to 5 individuals who will complete one or
more of the seven tasks.
2. FireFit Tec2 (2 person technical relay)
● This is a 2 person Technical Race and features a cylinder exchange at the
halfway point.
3. FireFit Individual / Team (Team made of of 3 – 5 team members
● Individual Competitor you complete all 5 stages that make up the FireFit Race.
The Events
Task 1: Stair Climb
Hi-Rise Pack is a 4 foot bundle of 4 inch hose weighing 42 pounds. This is carried to the top floor of the tower (40 ft., 6 flights, 60 steps). Hand rails may be used. Steps can be taken one at a time or in multiples on the way up. When descending handrails & steps must be used. Failure to touch each step on the way down will result in a 2 second penalty per infraction.
Task 2: Hose Hoist
A 45 lb Donut Roll of LDH hose and 5/8″ kern-mantle rope are used.
Task 3: Forcible Entry
The Forcible entry evolution utilizes a chopping simulator. Using a 9 lb. Trusty Cook shot mallet provided must be placed on the designated 4′ x 4′ area.
Task 4: Run
Competitors then walk or run as fast as he/she can around the hydrants a distance of 140ft then shoulders the nozzle end of a 1.75″ fully charged BullDog hose line.
Task 5: Hose Advance
Shoulder a 1 3/4 inch fully charged BullDog hose line and drag it 75 feet. Hit the designated target with the stream of water, shuts the nozzle and places it on the ground.
Task 6: Victim Rescue
A 175lbs mannequin must be dragged backwards a distance of 100 ft. Carrying the mannequin in your arms or over your shoulder is not permitted.
Strathcona firefighter Brad Dicks broke his own world record during Wednesday’s trials’ posting a time of one minute and eight seconds.
For more information on this years event, visit firefit.com
Rod Mawhood is a lifelong Niagara native who has had the pleasure of working in all three mediums – Radio, Print and TV – for over 20 years. His first announcing gig was with the then St. Catharines Stompers. Since then he’s worked in radio and TV in Toronto, and currently is the announcer for the Niagara IceDogs and Niagara River Lions.
Rod also covers the Buffalo Bills for FOX Sports and the Buffalo Sabres for NBC Sports.
