Some of the top firefighters from across the area will be at Lambton College this weekend for the Western Ontario FireFit Regionals.
The competition is described as high-intensity, showcasing the strength, endurance, and technical skill required in firefighting.
On Saturday, they'll be running the entire course in bunker gear and breathing on air, and on Sunday there are two types of relay races.
The opening ceremonies will take place at 5 p.m. Saturday and the competition will likely wrap up at around 9 p.m.
Competitors will return Sunday morning at 11 a.m. and things will wind down at around 4 p.m.
The highly decorated team from Lambton College's fire school is among those taking part in the event to begin the 2026 FireFit season.
They'll face full time and volunteer firefighters from various regional departments.
Co-Coach Shane Bettridge said FireFit is considered the toughest two minutes in sports.
He said competitors start by running up a six storey tower with a high-rise pack, weighing 42 pounds, on their shoulders.
"They pull up a bundle of hose, which is 42 pounds up those six stories," said Bettridge. "As we come down the tower, there's a simulated, a Keiser machine that's simulating breaking through a roof. They have to drag a hose that ends up being about 500 pounds of pressure by the time they shoot and hit a target. And then the entire race ends, which is the hardest part of it, where they drag a Rescue Randy. He weighs 175 pounds and they have to drag him back 100 feet to the finish line."
Bettridge believes the 15 member Lambton College team is poised for success.
It's comprised of eight men and seven women. Eight are returning from last year and seven are rookies.
"We've had a couple of good previous years and about half of our team is back from last year and we have some very strong rookies," he said. "We are hoping and looking forward to having another successful year this year."
In 2025, the Lambton College squad captured 36 medals, including seven at the Canadian National and World Championships.
Keira Adams finished 5th overall in Women’s Individual Races and took home the prestigious Rookie of the Year Award.
Friday's FireFit Corporate Challenge was cancelled due to poor air quality caused by wildfires in northern Ontario.
