Clayton firefighters capture world titles

Clayton County firefighters won three first-place awards at the Firefighter Combat Challenge World Championships in Las Vegas last weekend.

The firefighters placed first in the open relay competition, along with challenges for women and men over the age of 40. This was the first year Clayton’s female firefighters participated, said Battalion Chief Landry Merkison.

Clayton is the only fire department in the history of the event to sweep three first-place titles, Merkison said.

The men’s over-40 team, composed of firefighters Jeff Hood, Jerry Russell, Jay Fordham, Ernest Donaldson and David Odum, also captured the world title in 2006 and 2007. They hold the world record as the fastest team among firefighters over 40, according to the Firefighter Combat Challenge Web site.

The competition requires firefighters to carry 42-pound hose packs as they climb a 6-foot tower, move a 160-pound steel beam and drag a 175-pound dummy 100 feet. The firefighters must wear full protective gear, which weighs almost 50 pounds, when they complete the obstacle course, Merkison said.

— Megan Matteucci