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Fayetteville Fire Department Wins First Place

MEDIA RELEASE

Benjamin Nichols

Fire Chief

Release: IMMEDIATE 
Contact: Battalion Commander Ronald Lewis
Public Information Officer
Date: 08/24/09 Phone: (910) 433-1427

Fayetteville Fire Department Wins First Place in State Haz Mat Challenge Third Time

The Fayetteville Fire Department Hazardous Materials team competed in the 2009 State Haz Mat challenge on Saturday, August 22nd and took home first place, earning a gold medal. In the competition’s 5 year history, this is the second year in a row and the third year overall the Fayetteville team has won top honors. The competition was held at the NC Fire Chiefs Conference in Raleigh and featured eight Haz Mat teams from around the state.

The teams consist of 4 persons competing in five timed events such as containing a simulated chlorine leak, or removing a victim using a stokes basket. According to team member Patrick McArdle, the Fayetteville team completed the whole course of 5 different tasks with a total time of 4 minutes and 56 seconds.

“I am very proud of this team. Hard training and dedication really paid off. Working together quickly, methodically and without error is crucial in any Haz Mat incident. The competition is a fun way to show how finely tuned our team really is.” said Battalion Commander Hieu Sifford, Haz Mat Coordinator.

Fire Chief Benny Nichols, who was in attendance at the Fire Chiefs conference, said “this is a great honor for the Fayetteville Fire Department and it speaks well of the members training, dedication and ability to work together as a team.”

For more information on the Fayetteville Fire Department Hazardous Materials team contact Battalion Commander Hieu Sifford at 910-433-1729