Dictionary.com defines the word "sport" as: "An activity involving physical exertion and skill that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often undertaken competitively." Any firefighter will tell you that firefighting definitely involves physical exertion. Firefighting is one of the most physically demanding jobs in the world. Skill is also a critical factor of the job. The inherent dangers of firefighting require sharp skills to maintain safety. The training process for firefighters never stops. There are rules and customs that govern firefighting operations. Most firefighters know them as "Standard Operating Procedures", or SOP's. These rules and guidelines help ensure that firefighting operations are done safely and effectively.

Is firefighting competitive? Absolutely! Firefighters compete with flames in an effort to save houses, cars, woodlands, and many other things. Firefighters compete with wrecked cars that are trapping people inside them. If the car doors won't open, we tear them off! Most importantly firefighters compete against the clock. When they're called to a fire they know that with every second that fire grows larger. Every minute the chances of survival decrease for anyone who may be tapped inside. When firefighters respond to medical emergencies, the sooner they begin treatment and get the patient to a hospital, the more likely that patient will survive. Firefighters engage in the most serious competitions there are.

Firefighting epitomizes the phrase "Team Sport". Firefighters don't just work together they live together. They put their lives in each other's hands on a daily basis. In any emergency each firefighter has a job to do. When a firefighter fails to do his job right, the consequences can be deadly serious. Whether it's a fire, a car crash, a medical emergency, or anything else, firefighters must work together in order to get the job done. They do just that, and they do it better than anyone in the world.