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Blazing Feet Set World Record

By Pte Jill Cooper

MWO Christian Vezeau defends his title as World Champion in the Chiefs' Division at the Firefighter Combat Challenge.
MWO Christian Vezeau defends his title as World Champion in the Chiefs' Division at the Firefighter Combat Challenge.
Photo credit: Sgt Stephen Roy

The coach of the CF firefighters' team scorched his way to the title of world champion on November 8 in a time of 1 minute and 49 seconds.

Master Warrant Officer Christian Vezeau, a 23-year veteran firefighter, set the standard for his team when they competed from in the Firefighter's Combat Challenge held in Ottawa.

The challenge dubbed the "toughest two minutes in sport" has been an official competition for firefighters since 1993. The competitors, in full gear, race through a course that on average lasts two grueling minutes.

In September MWO Vezeau set a world record of 1 minute and 34 seconds and although he didn't break his own record in this competition, he still walked away with the title of world champion.

WO Jean-Paul Rioux, a platoon chief with 19 Wing Comox, prepares himself for the competition.
WO Jean-Paul Rioux, a platoon chief with 19 Wing Comox, prepares himself for the competition.
Photo credit: Private Dan Shouinard

Vezeau is the coach of the seven-member team. The team members are: Warrant Officer Jean-Paul Rioux, Corporal Robert Comeau, Corporal Darren VanZandbergen, Private Jonathan Welsh, Corporal Audrey Bourgoin and Mr. Murray McCartney. They come from British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and New Brunswick.

"I'm so proud of the team and what they have accomplished. Unlike other teams who train all year together, our team comes together a few weeks before the competition and we are recognized world wide for our performance," the native Montrealer said.

Dressed in their full firefighting gear and breathing apparatus, competitors simulate the physical demands of real life firefighting by performing a linked series of five different tasks.
Dressed in their full firefighting gear and breathing apparatus, competitors simulate the physical demands of real life firefighting by performing a linked series of five different tasks.
Photo credit: Pte Dan Shouinard

Speaking about coach Vezeau, Corporal Audrey Bourgoin had this to say, "He is a positive but no nonsense motivator, and he inspires me to want to work harder."

When asked why he likes to participate in such a tough competition, "Keeping fit helps to deal with the day-to-day stress we face in our lives. It helps us to deal with military life, with deployments, operations and training exercises."

Ben Ouellette, the Research and Development Co-ordinator with the Canadian Forces Personnel Support Agency (CFPSA), who co-ordinates the CF Firefighter Physical Fitness and Wellness Program agrees.

"When firefighters are required to meet fitness standards injuries go down, job performance goes up and achievements like those at the Combat Challenge are possible."

 

 

Pte Cooper is a member of the Army Internal Communication Team.