Center Point Fire District’s Ana Ruzevic places 2nd in US Firefighter Combat Challenge

By Joshua Huff, sports editor

UPDATE: Ana Ruzevic placed second in the Co-ed Division with Lance Conroy of the Norfolk Fire Department, Nebraska. In addition, Ruzevic and her female relay team of Sarah Frazie, of Sasol ERT; Melissa Forte, of Martin County, Florida; Irena Elkstrom of Boca Raton, Florida; and Brittany Hoffman, of Wheeling, West Virginia, took home first place.

FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA — Center Point Fire District firefighter/paramedic Ana Ruzevic placed second in the Firefighter Combat Challenge U.S. Nationals Female Individual this weekend at the 3M Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge U.S. Nationals in Fort Pierce, Florida.

Photo courtesy of Chief Gene Coleman

Ruzevic, who became the first female firefighter in Vestavia Hills Fire Department history in 2018, bested her personal best by two seconds in the three-day competition.

The 3M Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge U.S. Nationals event brings in firefighters from more than 45 cities across the country to compete in events where they wear full bunker gear along with a breathing apparatus. Pairs of competitors race head-to-head as they simulate the physical demands of real-life firefighting by performing a linked series of five tasks including climbing the 5-story tower, hoisting, chopping, dragging hoses and rescuing a life-sized, 175 lb. “victim” as they race against themselves, their opponent and the clock.

An estimated 150 women and men earned the right to compete in the event after qualifying from 14 different regional sites across the country.

Ruzevic is the 2019 GNC National champion. She leads the field by 25 points over Wheeling Fire Department’s Hoffman.

Female Category