FireFit and TopCop Competitions a Resounding Success for the Ottawa Valley

Chalk River, 2012 July 17 — Sponsored by Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) and hosted at the Chalk River fire hall on July 7 and 8, the 2012 Eastern Ontario Regional FireFit and TopCop competitions were a resounding success with the local community. With events and activities for the whole family, and over 1,500 spectators cheering on the brave participants who competed through the hot weather, the first-time event for the Ottawa Valley was a clear winner with local businesses and community members.

“From start to finish, the event couldn’t have gone better,” said Brian Mumford, Director of Emergency and Protective Services at AECL. “The competitors came out with a great attitude, as did the 1,500 fans that showed up to cheer them on, and we couldn’t have asked for better weather. Overall, I think the event was a huge success for AECL, fire fighters and security professionals in general, and for the Ottawa Valley community.”

FireFit and TopCop are competitions that simulate the fire fighting and security tasks most often performed in emergency situations. In both competitions, participants are challenged to race through designated courses and perform emergency tasks, all while dressed in the full equipment of a typical fire fighter or police officer at the scene of an emergency.

As part of the event, AECL Fire Fighters raised over $5,600 for the Heart and Stroke Foundation and for the family of the late AECL fire fighter.

With over 100 volunteers over the weekend, there was no shortage of spare hands to help make the event successful. “This event would not have been possible without the dedication of local community members, who volunteered their time and efforts this weekend,” noted Crystal Donak, AECL’s FireFit and TopCop event coordinator. “On top of that, AECL had the pleasure of working alongside dozens of local organizations, and businesses, all of which helped to pull this event together.”

2012 is a milestone year for AECL as it also celebrates 60 years as Canada’s premier nuclear science and technology organization. For more information about AECL, please visit www.aecl.ca.

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Contact:
Patrick Quinn
Director, Corporate Communications
AECL, 1-866-886-2325