Kneeling L-R Robbie Odom, Steve Lowe, Butch Campbell, Colin Hurst. Standing L-R Jake Smithson, Clint Russell, Tommie Wimbley, Chief Roger Robinson, Tom Crisp, Kevin Freeman, and Tom Clark

The City of Alcoa Fire Department came home a big winner after competing in the 9th Annual Goodwill Fire and Rescue Challenge held in at Knoxville’s Chilhowee Park Saturday August 4th. Bringing home seven event trophies, the Alcoa team received first place in the Endurance Challenge, Progressive Line, and the Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) Maze Trailer, and received second place in the Tangled Hose and Fire Truck Pull. Alcoa also received top honors as Overall Champions in the Fire Division and the Crowd Favorite for their Ladder Truck. Seven teams from the City of Alcoa, City of Knoxville, City of Marlow, West Hamblen, Blount County Fire District, Rural/Metro Fire Department and Sevier County participated in six events. The nine-member Alcoa Fire Department team was led by Coach Butch Campbell and Assistant Coach Kevin Freeman. Other members were Steven Owen, Thomas Crisp, Tom L. Clark, Robbie Odom, Clint Russell, Jake Smithson and Colin Hurst. Also attending was Chief Roger Robinson, Deputy Chief Jim Whaley, Lt. Tommie Wimbley and Lt. Bill Smock.

The games challenge each fire department with strength, tactics and strategies that can be used in modern day firefighting. The skills and strengths of those who risk their lives to protect our communities are demonstrated by featuring events simulating real-life fire and rescue situations in races against the clock, and one another. The Endurance Challenge consisted of five stations that tested strength, speed and agility. The Progressive Line event tested speed on connecting hose and accuracy on knocking down targets. The SCBA Maze trailer is designed to disorient firefighters and test the abilities to search in small dark spaces. The Tangled Hose event tested the abilities to follow a charged hose line to the nozzle and knock down a target. The Fire Truck Pull was based on pure strength. The Mystery Event simulated search and rescue.

This year’s games, a benefit for Goodwill Industries, were hosted by the City of Knoxville Fire Department.