Gold medal win sets new world record for Brampton firefighter in combat challenge

By breaking her own record, Brampton firefighter Katie Ross won another world record title and a gold medal at the international firefighting competition.

While many Brampton residents celebrated Canada Day this past weekend, members of Brampton Fire & Emergency Services were in the U.S. to test their skills at the 2024 Firefighter Challenge Midwest Regional Classic.

The competition is part of the Firefighter Challenge League series and involves firefighters from around the world competing in challenging tasks such as carrying a backpack at great heights, stealing a fire hose, forcing entry and rescuing a victim.

BFES firefighter Katherine Ross, who already held the world record, set a new world record with a time of 1:56.17 to take first place at the Midwest Region Classic.

This year’s victories follow a 12-medal haul for BFES and Ross at the 2023 FireFit Championships, where she won gold with teammate Jason Woodford in the Tech 2 Challenge and bronze in the mixed relay with Woodford and BFES members Brandon Graves and Matthew Webster. Ross was also the women’s individual champion at regional events in Port Elgin and Windsor.

Brampton has a rich history of firefighting competitions, including historic victories in the Firefighter Combat Challenge in 1996, 1998 and 1999. Several BFES members have been inducted into the FireFit Championship Hall of Fame.

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