Inuvik (Jul 07/06) - Four members of the Inuvik volunteer fire department just returned from a regional skills competition in Vermilion, Alta.

FireFit is a competition held annually on a national level for firefighters from across Canada.

Each province has a regional qualifier that decides on the competitors for the big national meet.

The Inuvik squad took part in the Alberta regional competition on June 10, and was the only group representing the Territories.

The event challenges the skills of a firefighter, like weight carrying, speed and hose accuracy.

The four members of the Inuvik volunteer department were: Matthew and Dustin Parsons, Chad Peacock and Julie Rouette.

Matthew said the competition was a tough challenge but helped define his skills as a firefighter.

"The obstacle course was something tough," said Matthew.

The first challenge had Matthew in full gear.

After a climb up six flights of stairs while carrying a 40 pound hose pack, Matthew had to hoist another hose pack up by a pulley.

He said another element of the course was a run through a strip of obstacles, while carrying and laying out a hose.

"Once you get to the end of the course, you need to blast water at a target with the hose," explained Matthew.

If the physical stress wasn't enough yet, an 80 kilogram dummy is placed on your shoulders and you are required to carry it 30 metres to the finish line.

"If you do it all in less than two minutes, you qualify for the national competition," said Matthew.

His best time was one minute 56 seconds.

Matthew said even though the team qualified for the upcoming national competition in Niagara Falls, Ont., they probably won't be going.

"I don't think we'll be attending the nationals. The distance to travel is too far and the costs are too much," he said.

Rouette was the only woman who tried out.

"We had the only mixed team there," said Rouette.

For her, the most challenging part of the whole experience was training for the event.

"It was tough. We were training twice a day, six times a week," said Rouette.

The experience left Rouette with good memories of her first competition.

"We were committed to our goal and did our best," she said. "Everybody in Vermilion was so nice, even the teams that have done it before helped us through."

The heavy training began three months in advance of the competition and went strong until the day they left.

"We want to do it again next year," said Rouette. "We've already started training for it."

Chad Peacock was also tested during the event, and said it was a great way to network with other firefighters in Canada.

"It was a good time," said Peacock. "I found out what it takes to be better for next year."

Dustin Parsons said all the training they did couldn't totally prepare them for the big show in Vermilion.

"The tower they used was way bigger than anything we had trained on," said Dustin.

"Their specifications were different from what I had been on before. It was something new to learn."

Dustin said the competition was so fierce, he couldn't even enjoy the nice weather.

"It was great outside, and there was also music but I tuned most of it out while I was running," said Dustin.

This is Dustin's first time as a volunteer firefighter, and it's been interesting, he said.

"This is a great way for people to get together and do something this town really needs."