Firefighters battle it out to be the toughest alive

Aug 28 2008 by Liza Williams, Liverpool Daily Post

FIREFIGHTERS raced up the 120m St John’s Tower yesterday, to become the toughest of their profession in the world.

One of the highlights of the World Firefighter Games – The Toughest Firefighter Alive competition– was opened with two Merseyside contenders at St George’s Plateau.

Mike O’Mahoney and Rob Caisney ran head to head in the first round of the competition and were followed by a further 48 contenders.

Around 300 firefighters will take part in the challenge in total, which is made up of four stages, the final one being the daunting climb up 550 steps inside the landmark tower.

John Baker, 48, from Crosby, who has worked for the fire service for 30 years, successfully ran the course.

It was the father-of-two’s second World Firefighter Games and he was pleased with his performance.

He said: “Every element of this challenge is what you have to face as a firefighter, apart from the fact there is no flames.

“It is an absolutely perfect test and the tower was definitely the toughest part.

“The games have been fantastic so far, it is great to have them here in Merseyside and the competitors have really enjoyed it.”

Other elements in the competition include a hose roll and gruelling obstacle course, completed with a 80kg dummy in tow.

Last night England was well in the lead of the medals table and Merseyside winners include Les Moulscale, with his dog Paddy in the water element of the Iron Dog contest and Mike O’Mahoney who won two rowing golds.

John Morris, 61, from Aigburth won bronze in the half marathon on Tuesday. The youth engagement officer for the fire service said: “This is my eighth games, I absolutely love taking part, it is a family affair and we travel to wherever it is every two years.

“I am taking part in the triathlon at the weekend as well, which I won in South Africa 10 years ago.

“I am a bit concerned about it though, I have injured my Achilles and hope I am fit enough to compete.”

And Merseysiders were also crowned as world football champions yesterday. They beat Venezuela 1-0 with the winning goal coming from Lee Thompson from Whiston fire station’s blue watch.

The games has seen several firsts, including boxing at the Echo Arena, Liverpool, and equestrian events at Aintree Racecourse.

The Toughest Firefighter competition continues today, along with 21 other events including archery, snooker, tennis and squash.

A MOVING half-time ceremony on the pitch at Anfield during the Champions League qualifer last night saw three members of New York’s fire department present a soccer shirt to Brian Hall from Liverpool Football Club.

The firefighters, who are in Liverpool to play soccer in the World Firefighter Games, made the presentation in memory of one of their former colleagues, Sergio Villanueva, who perished in the 9/11 terror attacks.

lizawilliams