Oklahoma State University’s campus in Oklahoma City welcomed the 2025 United States National Championship in the TFT Firefighter Challenge Championship Series this week, drawing elite firefighters from both the United States and abroad.
The competition focuses on simulating real-life saving tasks such as climbing stairs, hauling hoses, and rescuing victims. Over time, it has developed into a display not just of athleticism, but also of the camaraderie that unites those within the fire service.
A total of 197 athletes participated this year, representing 31 states across the nation. Lt. James Herman, a six-year OSU Fire Science Instructor and member of the Oklahoma City Fire Department, highlighted the significance of hosting the event for OSU-OKC’s fire program.
“This is our second time to host this event, the first one being a regional event. This kind of puts us on the map,” Herman mentioned.
He reminisced about the effort involved in fulfilling a vision that OSU-OKC’s director, Joe Bennett, had for the program, stating, “The first time was a dream of our director, Joe Bennett, and being able to fulfill that dream was amazing.”
The opportunity to host the national championship, following an earlier regional event, has propelled OSU-OKC into a more prominent position within the firefighting community.
Herman also shared that competition is an inherent aspect of the firefighter culture. “Firefighters make competition out of everything. The competition, the camaraderie, is huge for us,” he pointed out.
He added that despite the competitive nature of the event, the firefighters maintain a family-first philosophy, often celebrating together regardless of the outcomes. “At the end of the day, it may be a competition, it may be heated, but they’re going to slap high fives and take their families out to dinner together afterwards,” Herman emphasized.
Joe Bennett, the director of OSU-OKC’s Fire Science Program, remarked on the event’s importance in connecting students with the broader fire service community.
He noted, “It’s a worldwide recognized event, and this is the national championship in our backyard.” With competitors from throughout the U.S. and internationally participating, the event serves to inspire the next generation of firefighting professionals.
Bennett recounted last year’s success, where a student team excelled in multiple events, sparking excitement among current students.
For the athletes competing, the event blends fitness with fun. Christopher Brinkley from Akron, Ohio, described it as “a fun hobby.” He noted its relevance to their job and embraced it as a sport.
Teammate Nate Keen from Dearborn Heights, Michigan, highlighted the enjoyment of teamwork. “Just have fun. It’s a great fitness event. It shows, ‘Hey, it’s a good thing to be active and it’s what we do for a living,’” Keen explained.
Participating in relays and tandem events brings a unique thrill for him, making it one of the highlights of the competition.
Herman concluded by expressing that the benefits of such events extend well beyond the competition itself.
“It really showcases that the community is on board with us and what we want to give back to the firefighter community as a whole,” he said.
For students, witnessing such events serves as a powerful motivator, encouraging them to pursue meaningful careers in firefighting.
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