Firefighter-themed obstacle course helps Burnet Explorers
DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE EDITOR
BURNET — Finding your way through a smoke-filled building isn’t something most people will ever experience, nor is rescuing a downed firefighter. But the Burnet Fire Department has devised a plan to give you just that opportunity — while helping the local Explorers Post.
But don’t fear. You don’t have to actually rush into a burning building. It’s all part of The Fire 5k on May 3 at Wallace Riddell Park in Burnet. Starting at 8 a.m., participants can tackle the firefighter-based obstacle course and run. Some of the obstacles include a maze that simulates a smoke-filled structure (not actual smoke, however, it’s just blacked out), a hose-line advance, a high-rise tac relay and even some sledge hammering.
“You’ll have a chance to test yourself with some of the things we do and train for,” said Burnet Deputy Fire Chief Lealand Raiford. “Each obstacle will have a milder version, so you can pick the one that’s best for you. My daughter is 8 years old, and she’s going to run it. It’s definitely set up so everybody can do it.”
And nobody will be yelling at you or pushing you to do an obstacle because the department wants folks to come out, have fun and support the newly formed Explorers Post.
Raiford said the department started an Explorers Post earlier this year to give youth who have completed eighth grade through 21 years old a chance to learn about firefighting. The members explore the various aspects of firefighting.
Since the post creation came during the department’s budget year, Raiford said they didn’t have any money set up to help with it, so The Fire 5k is a fundraiser for the group. Along with some equipment — including Burnet green fire helmets — the funds will help provide transportation to Explorer competitions. One of the competitions is coming up soon in San Antonio.
“A lot of these kids probably aren’t in athletics, so this gives them a chance to compete in something they are learning about and interested in,” Raiford said.
The fire department and Explorers are creating a course to give everybody a taste of firefighting. Participants will find a series of challenges and obstacles as they make their way along the 5-kilometer course. One of the challenges is called the High-Rise Tac Relay. During this event, a participant will shoulder a section of fire hose weighing about 40-50 pounds and lug it a specified distance.
There also will be the Hoseline Advance. Competitors will take control of a charged (water-filled) fire hose, drag it to a specific spot, open the nozzle and attempt to hit a target. Another challenge is Air-Pac Endurance, during which firefighters will let participants don air-breathing apparatus.
Other obstacles include a CPR component and a sledge-hammer event.
Raiford emphasized that people can pick milder versions or simply opt out of the obstacles.
“We want people to just come out and have fun,” he said. “We’ve designed it so if a mom with her child in a stroller comes out, she’ll be able to complete it.”
Registration is $15 for students and $35 for adults. People can register the day of the event starting at 7 a.m. or stop by the new Burnet fire station at 2002 S. Water (U.S. 281) in Burnet to sign up.
daniel@thepicayune.com