Firefighter Jack Baker has retained three of his titles at the British Firefighter Challenge. The competition, which began in 2016, sees firefighters from across the country and further afield compete in a number of challenges, raising money for The Fire Fighters Charity. Challenges at the weekend showdown in Manchester included casualty rescues, hose dragging and container carrying, in a field of entrants from as far as New Zealand, Estonia, Austria, Germany, Norway, Belgium and Ireland. Jack triumphed in the 18-29 male category, overall British male and the British Firefighter Challenge Open Champion. Based at Highgate Fire Station in Birmingham, he said: “It was another brilliant weekend. Naturally, I was delighted to defend my titles from last year, but bringing firefighters together from all over the world is excellent. “It gives us the opportunity to see how each other work. For example, I know the Austrian and Estonian entrants work really hard to prepare for these competitions all-year-round and I imagine that supports their work back home. “Although there is an element of competition, anyone is welcome to enter and everyone is valued. It’s fantastic.” Jack wasn’t the only West Midlands representative at the event. Also competing were Crew Commander Jonathan James, based at Wednesbury Fire Station, and Firefighter Ivan Horbacz from West Bromwich.
