Sand Mountain Reporter

Albertville, known as the fire hydrant capital of the world, will play host to the Firefighter Combat Challenge (FCC) May 7-9 at Albertville Recreation Center, according to Lisa Socha, executive director of the Marshall County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

“This is going to be a great opportunity for Albertville to shine,” Socha said.

Socha said she has been trying for the past four years to bring the event to the area.

“This is one of the ones that I wanted four years ago when I went to the conference the very first time because of Albertville being the fire hydrant capital of the world,” Socha said.

This will be the first time the competition will make an appearance in Alabama.

The two-day event is expected to bring in between 100 to 200 competitors according to Socha.

“Since this is the first time in Alabama, it should bring in a huge crowd,” she said.

Socha also said this was an opportunity to honor the firefighters and volunteer firefighters.

The FCC visits about 25 locations a year. The competition was designed to showcase skills and athletic ability required to perform their jobs.

Some of the events have firefighters climbing a five-story tower in full gear and working with fire hoses.

Albertville fire Chief Robert Terrell said he expects his guys to compete well against some of the local departments, but he said some of the national competitors that come in for the event would be a “rough competition.”

The firefighters will be competing for a trophy, which will be a fire hydrant, provided by Mueller.

“This gives us a perfect opportunity to realize that when we get more and more people into our community, not just Albertville but Marshall County, it gives us another perfect opportunity to show our wonderful southern hospitality, our professionalism, and to make sure people leave Albertville, Arab, Guntersville and Boaz, with a mindset of the wow factor.” Albertville Mayor Lindsey Lyons said.

Socha says she needs 40 volunteers each day of the event. For more information, call the Marshall County Convention And Visitors Bureau at 582-7015.

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Serving Albertville and the Sand Mountain region

Publisher: Ben Shurett

1603 Progress Drive
Albertville, Alabama 35950

Tel: 256-840-3000 | Email

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