Dalton firefighter Matt Vess drags a 1 3/4″ fire hose 75 feet during the annual Georgia Police and Fire Games Toughest Firefighter competition Thursday at the Dalton Fire Department Station 2 Training Center in Dalton, Ga. Firefighters from across the state competed in the events, which consisted of performing a high rise pack carry, hose hoist, forcible entry, hose advance and victim rescue while wearing firefighting gear.DALTON, Ga. – Bartow County firefighter Jason Sisson could wear shorts and running shoes when he exercises to stay in shape for his job.
But Sisson figures that’s not realistic enough.
So he suits up in an old set of turnout gear – the heavy, hot protective suits firefighters wear – and then straps a spare air tank on his back and goes for a run, usually near his fire station.
“Sometimes I’ll run at home in my subdivision,” Sisson said. “Everyone looks at you like you’re crazy. And, for the most part, I am.”
That unorthodox training paid off Thursday morning when Sisson, 32, competed in the “toughest firefighter” contest at the Georgia Police and Fire Games, which is being held this week through Saturday in and around Dalton.