Sharps Chapel Volunteer Fire Department Explorer Post #510 Attends 8th Annual Fire & Rescue Challenge Saturday, August 5, 2006

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Explorers from across the Region participated in this year's 8th Annual Goodwill Fire & Rescue Challenge at Chilhowee Park in Knoxville.  Several Fire Departments and Rescue Squads from across the area were present with teams participating in Firefighter and Rescue Challenges and the Explorer Events as well.

The day kicked off with a parade, then the opening ceremony with a proclamation from the Knoxville Mayor.

Union County participants in this year's event were Explorers from both the Union County Rescue Squad, with two teams, and the Sharps Chapel Volunteer Fire Department, with one team.  A total of 12 teams participated in this year's Explorer events.

The teams competed in five events:  (1)Team Rapid Dress (2)Individual Rapid Dress from each group (3)Hose Relay (4)Physical Fitness Relay (5)Mystery Event

All of the Explorers and Advisors had a great time and look forward to next year.  Northeast Union VFD had a few members present, and they are in the process of starting a new Explorer Post for their Department.  We hope to see them next year, as well.

At the end of the day, everyone was fed at the Jacobs Building and a small awards program was conducted.  Union County brought home two trophies this year.  The Rescue Squad Explorers took First Place in the Mystery Event and Sharps Chapel Explorers took Second Place in the Individual Rapid Dress.

Sharps Chapel Explorer Post members and advisors present were: Chief Chris Upton, Asst. Chief Kevin Brantley, Kevin Wenger, Jacob Wenger, Cody Collins, Brandon Collins and Justin Bailey.

Union County Rescue Squad members and advisors present:  Tony and Sarah Bailey, Travis Maxwell, Jacob Bailey, Joshua "Tater" Bailey, Chelsey Warwick, Jessie Warwick, Dustin Williams, Amanda Savage, Davis "Bubby" Braden, Tami Bailey, Logan Norton, hank Bailey, Brent Painter and Cody Nicely.

Anyone age 14 to 20 can be an Explorer.  For more information, contact your local Volunteer Fire Department of Rescue Squad.

Sharps Chapel Volunteer Fire Department Explorer Post #510 Participates At  The 7th Annual Fire & Rescue Challenge, Chilhowee Park, Knoxville, Saturday, August 6th, 2005.

The 7th Annual Fire & Rescue Challenge was held at Chilhowee Park in Knoxville on Saturday, August 6th, 2005.  Sharps Chapel Volunteer Fire Department Explorer Post #510 participated with several other posts from the region in the competition. Events included hose relay, ladder relay, rapid dress and other competitions throughout the day. The Sharps Chapel team placed first in single rapid dress non-velcro division, 2nd place in team rapid dress, and 3rd place in the mystery event. Sharps Chapel Fire Chief Chris Upton said he was proud of the group, they worked hard and did a great job.  Upton also stated that he believes this young group will continue doing well in competitions in the near future and are a great asset to the fire department. The firefighter Explorers train throughout the year for competitions such as the Goodwill Challenge and Winterfest, which is held in Gatlinburg, where teams from all over the Southeastern United States attend.  Congratulations Explorers!