Five Summerville firefighters found themselves in a particularly challenging situation last month.
Wearing full bunker gear and using a breathing apparatus to get oxygen, they had to climb up a five-story metal scaffold tower and hoist a hose up the tower using a hand-over-hand pulling technique. Then, they had to use a mallet to “chop” at and move a 160-pound steel beam five feet away, drag a live water hose 75 feet and spray it at a target and drag a life-sized 175-pound dummy.
They had to do this all in under two minutes, and against other firefighting teams around the country. Any slip-ups or safety hazards added seconds to the firefighters’ time.
This is the fourth year Summerville firefighters have entered the On Target Firefighter Combat Challenge, a match-up between firefighting teams around the country that promotes teamwork, physical fitness and camaraderie.
The Summerville team made a strong showing at this year’s challenges, winning second place in the state competition (Horry County won first), winning fourth place in the regional competition in Asheville, N.C. and ninth place at the national competition in Atlanta, according to Summerville Battalion Chief Rodney Profit, a member of the relay team.
The Summerville team qualified for the world competition in Las Vegas and placed 33rd of 64 teams at the competition held in mid-November. They finished the entire course with a time of 1:24.
The other members of the team are volunteer captain Kenny Scott, firefighter Matthew Smart, engineer Brent Melcher and captain Billy Penn.
“This competition brings all the ranks together,” Profit said.
Since the team finished under the world competition in under a minute-and-a-half, they will get certificates of achievement, Profit said. The first place winners in the world competition hailed from Clayton County, Ga.
What started out as a physical ability test has grown into a wildly popular event that pits relay teams against one another to simulate real life situations in the profession.
“We love doing this type of stuff, it’s a lot of fun,” Profit said.
In addition to individual department teams, there is also a women’s open challenge and an over 40 division, Profit said.
The season starts in April and lasts until November. The team practices during the season using the department’s training facilities.
“It takes a lot of off-duty time,” Profit said.
He said that while winning is nice, the main purpose of the challenge is to promote safety and physical fitness within the department.
After being on the team for four years, Profit noticed some changes in his lifestyle.
“You notice you eat better, you don’t get as winded,” he said. “Not a day goes by that you don’t want to get a workout.”
Profit said Summerville Fire Captain Kevin Miller is responsible for getting the Summerville fire department to enter into the challenge.
“He was persistent; he never let it die on the vine,” Profit said. “Four years later, here we are.”
Profit said other people who helped the team succeed this year are Chief Marc Melfi and Chief Allston, Wayne Waters of Mr. Sign; George Wells of Orangeburg Honda; Kelly Knight-Byrd at Knight Law Firm, Dr. Robert J. Allen and all the members of the Summerville Fire Department.
A photo display of the firefighters competing in the firefighter challenges can be seen at the fire station at 300 W. 2nd North St.

Contact Jenny Peterson at 873-9424 ext. 216 or JPeterson@journalscene.com.