Perth volunteer firefighter Jeff Dean is heading back to the world stage after another strong performance at the National FireFit Championships.
Dean recently competed in Fredericton, where firefighters tackled six demanding tasks based on real emergency situations while wearing full bunker gear and breathing apparatus.
The course includes climbing six flights of stairs carrying hose, hoisting equipment, a forcible-entry station, advancing a hose line and finishing with a 175-pound rescue dummy drag.
Dean says a year of consistent training paid off.
Dean finished second among volunteer firefighters over 40, fifth in the 45-to-49 age group and 44th overall among firefighters of all ages.
The local showing went beyond Perth. Cole Dowles of Smiths Falls and Laura Wisner of Rideau Lakes trained with Dean, qualified for nationals and also recorded personal bests.
Dean says Perth’s training facility has increasingly become a place where firefighters from around the area can push one another and prepare for the physical demands of the job.
Next comes his fourth trip to the world championships.
Dean will compete individually and with the Canadian Nor’easters relay team.
He says one of the things that keeps bringing him back is the camaraderie. Competitors may be chasing world titles, but they also trade advice and encourage each other to improve.
Dean says that spirit reflects firefighting itself — preparing together so everyone is ready when the next call comes.
The 2026 Firefighter Challenge World Championships kicked off Monday and runs through Saturday at the Plaza Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Individual championship finals are Friday and tandem and relay finals Saturday.
