By KEVIN BERGER, Local Journalism Initiative
Despite a reduced turnout due to the wildfire situation, a total of 55 firefighters from Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario made it out this June 7-8 weekend for the 2025 FireFit Regional Championships in Martensville.
Levi Schutz, who is a captain with the Martensville Fire Department and president of the Martensville Firefighters Association, said a number of local firefighters who had signed up for the competition had to back out as they were still up north helping to fight fires in northern Saskatchewan. As well, many other out-of-town departments who would have competed had to bow out of the event.
Nevertheless, Schutz said the FireFit Regionals went “really well,” and it was a good opportunity to raise money for the Martensville Firefighters Association.
Schutz said there is a cost to put on the event, but they arrange for sponsors to help float that cost and also hosted a WestJet raffle and silent auction to raise funds.
The money they brought in will go towards the association’s initiatives, such as their bike helmet “ticketing” program during the summer and their food hamper program, which benefits about 40 local families each year.
Schutz noted they were also able to raise money for the Canadian Red Cross, which aids Canadians affected by the 2025 wildfires.
LOCAL RESULTS
In the chiefs category, Martensville deputy fire chief James Taylor earned a gold medal with a time of 02:25:31.
Nathan Balas of Warman earned a gold medal in the rookie category and a bronze in the volunteer category with a time of 01:56:33.
In the women’s category, Danielle Bertoncini of Martensville earned a bronze with a time of 03:40:50.
In the over-40 category, Christopher Peters of Martensville scored a silver medal with a time of 02:13:84, while Rob Riviere of Martensville won bronze with a time of 03:02:97. Brent Dupuis of Martensville also finished fourth with a time of 03:11:06.
Finally, the Warman team of Balas, Chandler Gross and Austin Verishine earned a bronze medal with a collective time of 06:29:07. They also won bronze in the relay.
Warman firefighter Nathan Balas carries a bundle of fire hose up a staircase set up beside the Martensville Athletic Pavilion (MAP) on June 8. Balas earned a gold medal as part of the Warman team competing in the 2025 FireFit Regional Championships in Martensville this weekend.
Warman firefighter Nolan Deck runs along carrying a fire hose to where he had to aim water at a target.