:: 2007 F2F ::
It's official, the 6th Annual F2F is in the books! Thanks to Kris Cagle president of Southeastern Industrial Fire Training Academy (S.I.F.T.A) for making it possible.
What a year for first time fire departments! Marietta Ga., Crossville Ga., Goodyear Az., and Fort Wayne In. all were represented for this epic journey from the Ga. State Capitol to the GPSTC, 75 miles away in Forsyth Ga. . After the traditional gathering at the Ga. State Capitol, final instructions were given and we're off! The weather was perfect as we made our way out of downtown Atlanta with music blasting and sirens blaring with everyone on foot for the first mile. The chase/transport vehicles pull over at the one mile mark so everyone except the first two runners out will load back on the bus. The first two runners are chosen from each department who would run the first leg and now the strategy begins. Who runs first and for how long should our first runners stay out there, should we keep two runners fresh for the shootout at the GPSTC were questions first year competitors had to answer. Dalton with five years experience and Cherokee's second year already have strategic plans in action. They both look like machines working. Rotation after rotation mile after mile, then comes nightfall and a glimpse of reality as the initial energy of the start begins to wane. Rotation after rotation mile after mile, runners cheering for their comrades as they return to the bus and another group hits the ground. Miles and hills and hills and miles, plenty of sweat and blood now as I hear firefighters discussing the hilly route of travel among themselves, "we're going due south aren't we but were hitting hill after hill"? The moon high in the clear crisp sky, runners rotate carrying the flags and B/A's and encourage each other along the way. Now we are starting to see what we are really made of as the hype of the crowd in the city and the shouts from people on the sidewalks and in passing cars subside as we now are well south of the city as now it's the middle of the night. A bit mystical as the flash of the trooper's light bar lights up the night, mile after mile, hill after hill, rotation after rotation. With the smell of dead ragweed in the night air and stinking sweaty, smoky turnout gear permeates the bus.
Team Fit to Fight, made up of members from multiple departments and are well short on runners. They have an extraordinary "will" to finish and the heart of a race horse as their rotations became very frequent and rest periods short. A faint chant "no matter what it takes" under our breath becomes the word. Team F2F is led by Hakim Benmoussa "the Animal" from Goodyear Az. and Jennifer Sutton from Douglas Co. inspired us through the pain and through the night.
I couldn't help but notice Chief Danny Rackley getting off the bus again for team Marietta. As I start to ponder the repeated rotations by Chief Rackley and recall that every time it's his turn, he's wearing the B/A., wait a minute, he's "the old guy" from Marietta. I notice cause I'm an "old guy" too. What an example and inspiration to not only his own department but to everyone on this journey. The other "mature" runner is Chief Gober with the City of Dalton never missing a rotation with his team as well, what great examples both of these Chiefs are...What's the line you always hear in the fire service, "lead by example"? Great job Chief Gober and Chief Rackley!
OK, now we are coming into Barnesville Ga., we cross the railroad tracks and a couple of blocks up into town we see Barnesville FD's ladder truck set up over the road with a big fog pattern flowing as we pass by in the early morning hours. Wow, how refreshing the spray is as we pass by, even though our legs are totally shot, now I think I can make it the rest of the way as we close in on our destination. Mile after mile, rotation after rotation, at last, we're within the final mile of the main gate. Worn, blistered, exhausted Worriers hit the ground to run the last mile together, Stratton from Dalton starts calling cadence, everyone joins in. Once we passed the gate we take a sharp left which takes us to the obstacle course and running track. A quick break and a few deep breaths are taken as instructions for the "secret" shootout are given... This year it will be: Run three quarters of a lap to turn four, leave the track and go up to the obstacle course. The disciplines there will include: Pole bending, low crawl, tire drill, uneven hurdles, the wall, onto to the balance beam, back to mid- track, then down the back straight to the finish line. "Choose your two competitors that will represent each team". Numbers were drawn for starting order and two volunteers ready stop clocks at the start/finish line. Team # 1 F2F toed the line, same theme, one firefighter wearing a B/A, the other carrying the flag. Team two Marietta, team three Dalton, then team #4. Picture this, team Cherokee coming off the balance beam, team members running with them as the seconds dwindle, the two runners reach the finish line! Totally exhausted, head over heals, and as the stop clocks click, it was over, Cherokee Co. had won the 2007 Fit To Fight Relay!!! Unbelievable, what excitement, everyone was blown away! Hugs, high fives, and enormous cheers from everyone could be heard all over the complex! The highly coveted red, white, and blue helmet was handed over to Cherokee Fire by a very gracious, first class Dalton Fire Dept.
The trophy helmet will spend the next twelve months at Cherokee Fire Department who will return in '08 to defend their title.
Special thanks to:
The I.D.Hut (web site design)
Chief Keith Padgett & Greg Chambers of FultonCounty Fire Dept.
FF Douglas Kerns
Bleakley RV Sales
N. Greenville Fitness and Cardiac Rehabilitation
Thanks to all the team leaders for the extraordinary effort required in getting your team motivated to compete in the 6th annual Fit To Fight Relay.
A steering committee is being formed to plan for 2008, the 7th annual F2F Relay. If you are willing to work with this committee please contact me:
Johnny Buice
770-949-8453
This website was created by - The ID Hut
