WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — The Houston County Fire Department held its 3rd annual Central Georgia Firefighter Combat Challenge on Saturday, and things were fired up!
There were 15 teams of over 50 local and regional firefighters who came to Warner Robins to compete in the high-rise pack carry, hose hoist, victim rescue and more.
However, this year was more meaningful.
They are donating the proceeds to the family of Matt Cirullo, a former firefighter who passed away from prostate cancer.
Shane Shifflett is the organizer of the combat challenge and says this year's dedication to Cirullo carries on his legacy of giving back.
He says the combat challenge is all about timing, teamwork, and winning but this year it's really about community.
"They want to do what we do on a daily basis, to honor us, to see what we go through," Shifflett said. "This year, we're doing it for a Houston County firefighter, one of our brothers passed away from stage 4 cancer so I was like let's do all the proceeds to his family."
Matt Cirullo worked at the Albany Fire Department for 27 years before working for the Houston County Fire Department.
During the six months he was there, he impacted his team and the community for life.
Kendell Marzoll is a lieutenant for the Houston County Fire Department.
Last weekend, he was on duty when he got the call of his friend's passing.
Marzoll says the fight that Cirullo had is inspirational.
"Matt was wanting to get back on the truck," Marzoll said. "He wanted to get back out to do what he was put here for which was helping people."
With the teams striving to work together and giving these challenges their all, Marzoll says he sees a lot of that same determination in these firefighters that Cirullo had.
"Whenever you lose veterans like that, they did so much in their life that you know that they were here for the right reasons," Marzoll said. "He didn't leave, God didn't take him for no reason. He took him and He has another plan for him, and if it's to watch over us and protect us from up there then that's what it is."
Brianna Murphy is with the Douglas County Fire Department.
She says working closely with Cirullo's department, she heard his story and instantly signed up to show support.
"Seeing all of them out here and like cheering everyone on and it's like different departments, people you don't know each other, and you're still there hyping everyone up and pushing them and it is just wonderful to watch," Murphy said. "The support you can get from the people in the field, the support we have for each other is insane like the firefighter brother stuff they talk about is true. It's great to actually feel the camaraderie."
The results are in!
Hinesville Fire Department took 1st place, Houston County Fire Department came in 2nd place, and Centerville Fire Department came in 3rd place.
According to Shifflett, they raised at least $1,000 on Saturday.
On Sunday, they have The Stair Climb competition by the Best Western at Rigby's on SR-96 which will be open to the public.
Cirullo's family could not make it this weekend, but 13WMAZ extends our support.