Hobbs firefighters are the best of the best. They have been crowned world champions in two divisions at the 2021 Firefighter Combat Challenge (FCC) world finals. The competition was held at the Manatee Observation and Education Center in downtown Fort Pierce, Florida, November 2-6.
At the event which is acclaimed by ESPN as the “toughest two minutes in sports”, Hobbs Fire Department Captain Rodney Smith was crowned the 2021 Individual World Combat Challenge Champion and the department’s Combat Team composed of Captain Rodney Smith, Captain Rico Rendon, Captain Mark Doporto, Driver/Engineer Jordan Headley, and Driver/Engineer Lloyd Cochran were named the 2021 Team Relay World Champions.
Hobbs firefighters additionally finished as runner-up in the competition’s Team Event, and the pair of Captain Rodney Smith and Driver/Engineer Jordan Headley placed third in the Tandem Event.
History of the Event
The Firefighter Combat Challenge originated in 1975 after the University of Maryland received a U.S. Fire Administration grant “to develop and validate a job-related physical performance examination for firefighters”, states the Firefighter Challenge website (PDF). The idea was to partner with “industry leaders in public safety to devise a competition with a purpose ‘that would highlight the unique nature of the fire service’s heroic work, while showcasing the talents and capabilities of firefighters.’” Some 16 years later in 1991, the first Firefighter Combat Challenge was held.
According to the FCC website, today the Challenge’s Facebook reach is an average of 2.8 million per year, with Facebook impressions at an average of 14.7 million per year and Facebook engagements at 3.9 million per year.
Mission of the Firefighters Combat Challenge
Showcasing and publicly celebrating the talents, including the “selfless spirit and the extraordinary fitness levels of America’s elite firefighters”, both heroes and heroines, is the mission of the FCC. The Challenge is an extreme sports competition that travels throughout America demonstrating the essential skills required for the profession in an entertaining manner. “Climbing a five story tower in full-bunker gear, dragging and hoisting fire hose[s], simulating forcible entry, and racing around obstacles” while competing against the clock are just some of the skills that are tested, states the FCC website. The goal is always to find the “best of the best”.
A video clip posted at the City of Hobbs Fire Department Facebook page shows Captain Smith’s world championship winning run. In the words of the commentator, “It separates the elite from the super elite.”
You will see Captain Smith competing against the 2020 Independent World Combat Champion Jared Johnson of Fire Elite. At the beginning of the challenge, Johnson has the edge, but then everything changes and Captain Smith finishes in first place with a time of 1.21.69, nearly two seconds ahead of Johnson who finished at 1.23.15.
In the words of the commentator, “What did we just witness? Oh, my goodness.” Area residents agree. “That is so awesome!! Congratulations Captain Smith!!, states Kyle Bernard Shepherd.” Congratulations to the combat team also!! Pepper Davis echoes Shepherd’s sentiments, “Woohoo. Congratulations to Rodney and to all the competitors.” All of Hobbs and Lea County are elated. Huge thumbs up are extended to all Hobbs firefighters who participated in the 2021 Firefighter Combat Challenge.
