By Peter Francis
The Eagle-Tribune
HAVERHILL, Mass. — City police will be taking the show on the road this fall, traveling to Reno, Nevada, to take part in the Scott Safety Firefighter Combat Challenge U.S. Nationals.
But how exactly did Haverhill’s boys in blue receive an invitation to compete in the national showcase of the famous timed agility and obstacle course created by and for firefighters to promote physical fitness and raise money to fight muscular dystrophy?
It all started with a simple challenge from the city’s Fire Department, which hosted the two-day event on Bailey Boulevard on July 15-16 which drew firefighters from all over the U.S. and Canada.
“We were approached to put together a team a few days before the challenge. We had no practice, we knew nothing of what was going on,” said Officer John Little of the Haverhill Police Department. “We came in full riot gear with our gas masks on.”
While the firefighters, decked out in their turnout gear, emerged about 10 seconds ahead of the police on the 100 foot by 200 foot course, complete with a five-story tower and various ground obstacles, in which competitors hoist objects, drag hoses and rescue a life-sized, 175-pound dummy, their efforts impressed the event’s founder, Dr. Paul Davis.
In a letter addressed to the City Council and read aloud by one of the event’s organizers, Paul Weinburgh, at a recent meeting, Davis wrote that in an age of “heightened tension and animus” directed at law enforcement, the Reno event will remind the Haverhill Police team they are appreciated by firefighters around the country.
“We believe a week in the company of these exemplary firefighters has the very real benefit of improving morale and showcasing the exemplary character of the Haverhill PD,” wrote Davis.
Weinburgh said that a video of the race drew more than 1 million views on Facebook.
A team of officers will travel to the Silver State for the weekend event on Oct. 7-8, and the performances of city public safety personnel drew praise from city leaders last month.
“The quality we see in both of our departments is really exemplary,” said Councilor Mary Ellen Daly O’Brien.
Council President John Michitson commended the efforts of the Fire Department in organizing the event and recalled the last event in 2009, when now-retired firefighter Lewis “Jerry” Poore soldiered through the course during the twilight of his career.
“I gave him so much credit. He looked like he was ready to drop,” said Michitson in amazement. “But he did it. He made it all the way to the top and to the finish line.”
Fire Chief William Laliberty said it was good to see both departments come together to promote physical fitness among themselves and to have fun for a good cause.
“It shows what this community does have with its public safety employees,” he said. “When they get together, they work hard and they work good together ... I think both teams won that day.”
Firefighter Tyler Kimball was one of the lead organizers of the event, the second time the city has hosted the challenge, and said competing against their police colleagues was an “enjoyable experience” despite the event being “the toughest two-minutes in sports.”
“There’s been plenty of NFL football players who have competed a number of years ago, and they look like garbage after,” said Kimball of the course. “It’s pretty tough, but it’s what our job is.
“It was a lot of fun,” added Kimball. “The camaraderie ... it’s an awesome event.”
Copyright 2016 The Eagle-Tribune