PHOTOS: Oklahoma State Universityโs campus in Oklahoma City hosted the 2025 United States National Championship in the TFT Firefighter Challenge Championship Series this week, bringing top firefighters from across the country and abroad to campus. The competition simulates real life saving tasks such as climbing stairs, hauling hoses and rescuing victims. It has become a showcase of both athleticism and camaraderie in the fire service. This year, 31 states were recognized in the competition, with 197 athletes competing.
Lt. James Herman, a six-year OSU Fire Science Instructor and Oklahoma City Fire Department member, said hosting the championship underscores the strength of OSU-OKCโs fire program. โThis is our second time to host this event, the first one being a regional event. This kind of puts us on the map,โ Herman said. โThe first time was a dream of our director, Joe Bennett, and being able to fulfill that dream was amazing. And then being asked to host the Nationals, outside of hosting a regional event, puts us on the map even more.โ
Herman said competition comes naturally to firefighters. โFirefighters make competition out of everything. The competition, the camaraderie, is huge for us,โ Herman said. โWeโre a family first organization. At the end of the day, it may be a competition, it may be heated, but theyโre going to slap high fives and take their families out to dinner together afterwards. It really drives home the family side.โ
