Laura Noble – London Fire Brigade

Last time you heard from me, I was gearing up to compete in the Bench Press and Ultimate Fire Fighter, and of course, experience the very best of Belfast. Well, what an amazing ten days I spent with like-minded people from all over the world. I hadn't even boarded my flight at Luton Airport, before I was approached by two volunteers, also heading to Belfast. And the friendliness did not stop there! Everyone I met from the bus drivers, to the staff at my accommodation, couldn't do enough for me as a tourist and everyone seemed genuinely excited about the Games being hosted in their city. The Opening Ceremony was a moving spectacle and there was something for everyone; from BMX stunt riders, traditional dancing, fireworks, to live music. It certainly set the tone for the start of the Games.

I stayed in halls of residence at Queen’s University which suited my needs and was an easy bus ride/walk into the city centre. Before my competitions started, I walked all over the city and found a few hidden gems. One of which had to be The Dock Café in the Titanic Quarter. Every city should have a venture just like it! I did a guided bike tour one day and found out even more about the vibrant city from a bona fide local. 

The Bench Press competition venue in Bangor was brilliant and only a short, picturesque train journey away from the city. The spectators really got behind each of the lifters, and several world records were broken which was great to witness. I got the gold medal in my category and of course, celebrated with a pint of Guinness or three afterwards!! 

My parents then arrived to support me in the Ultimate Fire Fighter competition. I was able to act as their tour guide for their stay. There was a lot of support at this event and great sportsmanship from all of the competitors. I didn't get on the podium this time but enjoyed it nonetheless.

I ended up feeling like a bit of a celebrity during my stay, as I was interviewed live on BBC Northern Ireland and also for the radio helping to spread the word about the different events on offer.

Near the end of my stay, I hired a car and drove up the North Coast with my parents to The Giants Causeway and Portrush. It was a lovely drive, the only down side was not having the time to visit all of the little towns and villages on the way! We managed to catch some of the volleyball action in Portrush, followed up with the obligatory fish’n’chips supper on the seafront.

I thoroughly enjoyed my stay in Belfast and my parents loved it too! The Games were fantastic, such a buzzing atmosphere and it definitely lived up to its mantra of “The Friendliest Games Ever”. Thank you Belfast!

Final day of Ultimate Firefighter

By Volunteer Zoe Cunningham

Given the buzzing carnival atmosphere more often seen on the streets of Rio, the sun shining high in the sky and the exuberant cheers of the Brazilian team as they were awarded the first gold medals of the day, you could be forgiven for thinking you were anywhere but Belfast.  But yesterday us Norn Irish folk held our heads high as we welcomed the world to the third and final day of Ultimate Firefighter at the iconic Titanic Slipways.

Once again the crowds flocked from near and far to soak up the atmosphere at this thrilling event, which on the final day took the form of four different stages, performed by four different team members.

The morning saw competitors complete stages 1 and 4, the hose task and high rise task and the afternoon session included the stage 2 weight and strength task and stage 3 obstacle course.

Once again these amazing athletes showed off the everyday skills they need to be firefighters to perfection and much to the delight of the assembled crowds, the competition was fierce.  It was split into age categories and while many teams were from particular countries or stations, there were also a number of teams made up of individuals including the Barbarians team of Irish, English and Americans who ended up taking gold in the over 45’s category.  Gold medals also went to the Brazilians, who I’ve heard were in training for the games for the past six months and a team from the Czech Republic.  A talented team from Ireland were awarded silver in the U35’s category, cue rapturous applause from the huge crowd that had gathered for the medals ceremony.

As the competition drew to a close I met Danny Ard, Crew Commander for Blue Watch at Central Fire Station in Belfast, who was a great sport and let me fulfil my lifelong ambition of wearing a fireman’s hat and happily put his heavy firefighting gear back on to pose for some photographs.  While we were perfecting Danny’s modelling skills he told me about meeting an older firefighter the day before who has competed in the WPFG every year since 1985 and said that in all his years taking part he has never seen the games so well organised.  This is a statement I have heard repeated many times during the past few days and it is a true testament to the hard work and dedication of the many organisers and volunteers that are so far helping to make these games a resounding success.

As my time as a WPFG volunteer comes sadly to an end I can say hand on heart that it has been an amazing experience and one I feel very proud and privileged to have played a part in.  Judging by the atmosphere down at Titanic for the last two days we have certainly made these games one to remember and I hope that our legacy of hosting the ‘friendliest games ever’ will live on.

So that’s it, back to the day job tomorrow where I’m sure I will hear about all the exciting WPFG duties my fellow Coca-Cola colleagues have been completing during their time as volunteers.

Over and out . . .

Day 2 Ultimate Firefighter – It’s a tough job but someone’s gotta do it!

 
By Volunteer Zoe Cunningham

It was just an average Wednesday really, down at Titanic Slipways hanging out with a multitude of firefighters from around the world – it’s tough job but someone’s gotta do it, right?

Right indeed! Jokes aside, the competition going on today left no doubt in my mind that the job of a firefighter is an extremely tough one and I have an endless amount of admiration and respect for the men and women who risk their lives on a daily basis for a job they are so clearly passionate about.

With the fittingly dramatic backdrop of Titanic Belfast, this morning got underway with stages 2 and 3 of a four stage competition of skills tests designed to replicate the tasks firefighters have to complete every day.

Stage 2 was based on weight and strength and began with putting up a ladder and running up a set of high rise steps carrying a heavy fire hose. Once at the top the firefighters had to lean out and hoist another 40lb hose up from ground level before running back down the steps and hitting a large log with an axe. All in a day’s work for these guys and girls!

Stage 3 took the form of an obstacle course of running round cones, driving a ground weight along with a 9lb shot mallet hammer and dragging a weighted rescue dummy for a distance of 100 feet. Although each section only took a couple of minutes to complete, the skill, strength and effort it required was evident and the pressure of performing in front of such a buzzing crowd was surely a challenge for the athletes.

Hundreds packed out the spectator area around the Titanic Slipways and cheered on local and visiting competitors alike. One particular head-to-head saw two firefighters who work together in Boyne, Co. Roscommon compete against eachother in one of the closest races I saw. Although competitors went head to head in each section, their individual times were noted and at the end of the competition, it was those with the fastest combined times who were victorious.

On a break between stages I caught up with Canadian Michael Lavers, who has been a firefighter since 2006 and is enjoying his first trip to Northern Ireland and of course the competition.

Michael explains, “It’s my first time visiting Northern Ireland and everyone has been so friendly. The venue for this competition is really fantastic. Ultimate Firefighter is such a tough competition and the nerves certainly get to you. The four stages are just like what we have to do in our actual jobs only it’s all against the clock and we have chips in our shoes which record our times for each stage.”

Michael and his Canadian team mates will be competing again in tomorrow’s team event, which starts at 11am. Good luck guys!

In the afternoon, stages 1 and 4 got underway as the crowds continued to flock to the Titanic Slipways. Stage 1 was the hose task which involved running with a huge 150ft hose slung over each shoulder and extending them in full and for an extra 30m and then rolling up two smaller hoses and carrying them to the finish line. These hoses must have weighed a ton – well not quite, but you catch my drift!

Finally, stage 4 involved running up and down the high rise steps first carrying a firefighters pack and then carrying a chainsaw. By the time the competitors collapsed onto the crash mat at the end of this stage I was exhausted just watching them and ready to crash myself!

All in all, Ultimate Firefighter was an amazing event, a true test of strength, speed and endurance which showed the overwhelmed crowds just how fit those in the profession need to be. Our local competitors, including Connor Fitzgerald, Linda McKane and Lynsey Elwood did us proud and I for one am really looking forward to tomorrow’s team event – bring it on!

Find out more at: www.2013wpfg.com

Ultimate Firefighter explained!

Ultimate Firefighter, which kicks off today on the Titanic Slipways at 10am, is one of the absolute highlights of the games! It tests the fitness and special skills required by the very best firefighters from around the world, while providing a great spectacle of speed, strength and stamina for spectators!

The event is open to the public to spectate and entry is free. It will feature competitors from a wide range of countries including the US, Canada, the UK and Europe.

Here’s everything you need to know!

Individual Event

Tuesday 6th August and Wednesday 7th August

Titanic Slipways

Start time: 10am with Hose task and High Rise. Lunch and changeover at 1pm. Weight & strength task and Obstacle Course begin at 2:15pm.

Team Event

Thursday 8th August

Titanic Slipways

Start time: *11am with Hose task and High Rise until 12:15pm. Lunch and changeover take place from 12:15pm until 1pm. Weight & strength task and Obstacle Course take place from 1pm until 3pm.

*Times are subject to change for the Team event

Ultimate Firefighter features four tasks designed to test the fitness and special skills required by the very best firefighters:

Stage 1 – Hose Task

Run 25 feet (7.62 meters) to 2 separate 150 foot (45.72 meter) lengths of 2 ½ inch (63.5 millimeter or 65 millimeter) hose lines. Place one line over each shoulder, advance the lines to a full 150 feet (45.72 meters) and drag both lines an extra 30 feet (9.144 meters) across designated line.(Note: it is allowed at any point to leave the second hose, drag the first hose over the shoulder across the line and return to the second hose over the shoulder to complete the drag.)

Run 25 feet (7.62 meters) to two 50 foot (15.24 m) unrolled sections of 2 ½ inch (63.5 millimeters or 65 millimeters) hose. Roll each hose line and carry 60 feet (18.288 meters) to the finish line.

Hose rolls will be carried one in each hand or stacked on top of each other carrying with both arms to the finish line. Hose rolls must be tightly rolled (cannot fall apart). No tag ends hanging or loosely rolled hose. If hose unrolls, competitor must stop and re-roll hose.

Stage 2 – Weight and Strength Task

Run 50 feet (15.24 meters) from start line carrying a 24 foot (7.3152 meters) extension ladder to wall. Put butt of ladder against wall. Raise ladder 6 rungs, lock it off, and rest it against the tower (butt of ladder must be pulled back from the wall to a designated line – to facilitate a proper climbing angle). Run to base of tower.

Pick up 100 feet (30.48 meters) 1 ½ inch (38.1 millimeter) hotel (high rise) pack and carry up the stairs to the top of the tower. At the top of the tower place hotel (high rise) pack in box or designated area. From the top of the tower, hoist a 40 pound (18.144 kilograms) hose attached to a rope to the top of the tower and place hose in box or designated area.

Descend the stairs to the base of the tower. Pick up a master stream nozzle and axe. Run 25 feet (7.62 meters and screw the nozzle onto an appliance. Place the axe blade end into a block of wood. Run 25 feet (7.62 meters) to finish line.

Stage 3 – Obstacle Course

Run 25 feet (7.62 meters) to Keiser force machine. Drive (hit) the beam 5 feet (1.52 meters) to the end, with a 9 pound (4.08 kilograms) shot mallet hammer. Place hammer in designated area.

Run 10 feet (3.048 meters) to obstacle course – run through the course around the 5 pylons to the Rescue Dummy and drag dummy 50 feet (15.24 meters) to and around cone and back 50 feet (15.24 meters) across the finish line (all of the dummy must clear the line).

Stage 4 – High Rise

Run 25 feet (7.62 meters) to the base of the tower. Pick up a 100 feet (30.48 meters) 1 ½ inch (38.1 millimeters) hotel (high rise) pack and climb the stairs to the top of the tower.

Place hotel (high rise) pack in a box or designated area. Descend stairs to base of tower. Pick up a chain saw and climb stairs to the top of the tower. Chain saw can be carried on shoulder.

Place chain saw in a box or designated area. Descend stairs to the base of the tower. Run 25 feet (7.62 meters) to the finish line.

Further information about the ‘Ultimate Firefighter’ events, including updates on schedules, is available here. Please check the website for any schedule changes before attending.

Laura Noble from the London Fire Brigade

My name is Laura Noble, I am 33 and I have been a fire fighter with London Fire Brigade for over ten years. This will be my second trip to Northern Ireland and my parents are coming out to support me in my events which are Bench Press and Ultimate Fire Fighter. These events are new to me, as in previous World Games, I have competed in Karate and Indoor Rowing, but this time I fancied a change! I have been training since January and getting lots of help and advice from my colleagues.

Meeting new people and forging new relationships with like-minded people is one of the things I am most looking forward to about these Games. I am the co-ordinator for the London Fire Brigade entrants, working alongside our Welfare Fund to help and support them. I was lucky enough to visit Belfast in April and see first-hand the venues and accommodation on offer and of course, experience the great hospitality!

The camaraderie and atmosphere at the World Police and Fire Games help to make them unique from other sporting events. My stand out memories from my first WPFG in New York 2011, is the generosity and friendliness of the people. Even during Hurricane Irene, they went out of their way to ensure my safety and well-being. I was staying with a FDNY Despatcher for the first few days and she arranged for transport and a stay in a hotel during the hurricane even though her own home was damaged through the storm.

I am really looking forward to the Belfast Games. I have already booked to see an Irish dance/music show and hope to visit The Giant’s Causeway as well as several drinking establishments within the city, see you there!

Sybrand Bleeker from Amsterdam

Hello there! My name is Sybrand Bleeker and I’ve been a fire fighter for over 7 years in the Amsterdam Fire Brigade.

When I'm not busy at the fire station I love to do all kinds of sports. I am particularly passionate about mountain biking (even though we don’t have any mountains in Holland!) and I’m a keen runner. I love trail running and also doing survival runs – these are a mixture of trail running and obstacles – pretty tough, but great fun!

I’ve competed in the Games before – two years ago I took part in the Ultimate Firefighter event in New York, it was a really wonderful experience! This year, I decided to do the long distance orienteering; I am looking forward to doing something different in Belfast!

I am actually travelling over to Northern Ireland two weeks before the Games – my girlfriend and I are having a little holiday and will be biking on the west coast. We are aiming to do around 850 kilometres before we head to Belfast.

This will be our first visit to Northern Ireland and we are both really looking forward to it! We will try to bring some Dutch weather with us!