YORKTON - Greg Litvanyi has qualified for the Firefit Canadian National Championships to be held in Sarnia, Ont. in September.
Litvanyi, who retired from Yorkton Fire Protection Services seven years ago qualified for the national championship at the recent Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Nunavut Regionals held in Regina June 10 and 11.
“It was one of the things that I always wanted to do in my career,” said Litvanyi, now 54, adding responsibilities always kept him from competing. “. . . So when the event popped up to be in Regina this year I thought I’d do it.”
The competition was a difficult one, but Litvanyi, competing in the 50-plus category did well. Day one he completed the course in 2:32 and shaved 10 seconds off that with a 2:22 time day two, to finish fourth among eight competitors in his category.
Litvanyi then teamed with a Yukon firefighter to compete in the team competition.
“He’s actually from Saltcoats originally,” explained Litvanyi of his partner Myron Penner.
Litvanyi said he hard heard of Penner, but had not met him until the opening day in Regina when he was asked to be his partner. It is a partnership that worked as they qualified for nationals as a team too.
Anyone registering a sub three-minute time qualified for nationals.
In preparing for Regina Litvanyi said he relied on experience in terms of specific skills.
“The skill set I basically did for 27 years,” he said.
In terms of conditioning time at CrossFit and Inner Cycle Spin Studio prepared Litvanyi for the physical endurance and cardio required. He said he owes both a big thank you for helping him prepare.
With an eye on Sarnia Litvanyi said he has a goal, to achieve a sub two-minute time, and with that in mind he is already studying film of his performance in Regina.
“I know what I need to work on,” he said, adding he has taken on a trainer who is designing some specific drills to “help him address weaknesses. “. . . I’m pretty optimistic I’ll be able to beat two-minutes.”
The FireFit Championships is a competition based on fire fighting tasks commonly performed in emergency situations.
Competitors take on a course which encompasses six tasks which details are:
Task 1: Stair Climb
The first event is the stair climb with Hi-Rise Pack. The Hi-Rise Pack is a four-foot bundle of four inch hose weighing 42 pounds. This is carried on the outside shoulder when moving up the stairs and must be deposited completely in or on the box on the top floor of the tower (40 ft., six flights, 60 steps). Missing the box constitutes a two-second penalty. No part may touch the deck of the tower. A two second penalty is assessed if any part of the Donut Roll is touching the tower platform. The hose load must stay on the platform or the competitor is disqualified. When ascending the tower handrails may be used. Steps can be taken one at a time or in multiples on the way up. When descending handrails & steps must be used. Failure to touch each step on the way down will result in a two second penalty per infraction.
Task 2: Hose Hoist
A 45 pound Donut Roll of LDH hose and 5/8" kern-mantle rope are used. Competitors 5'6" and under are allowed to stand on the Hi Rise pack (no penalty will be given to these competitors) The Donut Roll must be hauled (usually hand over hand motion) up to the top landing of the tower, lifted and placed in the box on the top of the tower. Missing the box will result in a two second penalty. The Donut Roll must remain in or on the box. No part may touch the deck of the tower. A two second penalty is assessed if any part of the Donut Roll is touching the tower platform. The Donut Roll must stay on the platform or the competitor is disqualified. A fallen donut roll may not be retrieved.
Task 3: Forcible Entry
The forcible entry evolution utilizes a chopping simulator. Using a nine pound. Trusty Cook shot mallet provided. The competitor moves the beam completely past the decal. Once this task is complete the competitor must place the hammer on the designated 4' x 4' area. If the hammer does not stay on the 4' x 4' area a two second penalty is given.
Task 4: Run
Competitors then walk or run as fast as he/she can around the hydrants a distance of 140ft then shoulders the nozzle end of a 1.75" fully charged BullDog hose line.
Task 5: Hose Advance
Shoulder a 1 3/4 inch fully charged BullDog hose line and drag it 75 feet. Once the nozzle crosses the 75 foot mark, the competitor opens the nozzle, hits the designated target with the stream of water, shuts the nozzle and places it on the ground. If the nozzle is not shut before it is placed down, the competitor must go back and close it. Failure to do so results in a five second penalty. If the target is missed a two second penalty is assessed. Once the hose advance is complete the competitor moves towards the final task, Victim Rescue. Note: if the nozzle opens again after it hits the ground, there is no penalty and the competitor can continue.
Task 6: Victim Rescue
A 175 pound mannequin must be dragged backwards a distance of 100 feet. Carrying the mannequin in your arms or over your shoulder is not permitted. The mannequin must not be grasped by its clothing or appendages. Time stops when the competitor and mannequin cross the beam at the finish line with the mannequins feet completely crossing the blue line.
