Mayor ready for challenge

By Dan Hilborn
Published Oct. 5, 2005


Mayor Derek Corrigan is set to face off against Burnaby fire chief John Stewart, but it's all in good fun as the second instalment of the Burnaby Firefighters Challenge will see the pair lead two teams of firefighters in a head-to-head competition at Lougheed Town Centre on Sunday afternoon.

Thankfully, there's nothing more serious at stake than the egos of the two city officials, as they compete for bragging rights over who does the best job of leading their teams to victory.

"I think they're trying to set me up again," said Corrigan, who lost the first Firefighters Challenge to chief Stewart exactly two years ago.

Corrigan, of course, is referring to his embarrassing loss on a 'rocket racer' - little red Radio Flyer wagons, powered by a large silver fire extinguisher - in the inaugural 2003 challenge. Stewart won that race handily after Corrigan's little red wagon came to a spurting halt a few metres away from the starting line.

So this time, instead of actually competing against each other, Corrigan and Stewart will each lead a team of firefighters in a three-part challenge.

The two teams of professional firefighters will face off in a Rescue Carry Relay, a Bucket Brigade and a Tug-of-War at centre court of Lougheed Town Centre starting at 1 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 9.

"We take on all comers," Stewart said in issuing his challenge to the mayor. "I understand Mr. Corrigan wants a rematch for our little scooter race. We'll give him the chance to redeem himself."

Corrigan believes he may have the advantage this time, because he's the guy who actually signs the firefighters' pay cheques.

"Those firefighters are so competitive, they'd work for the devil himself," joked Corrigan. "I'm absolutely certain I'll have no trouble getting them motivated."

The races begin at 1 p.m. with the Rescue Relay Carry, a competition where the two teams drag a 22-kg dummy up and down the centre court aisles several times.

At 1:30 p.m., things get a little dicier as the teams take part in an old-fashioned Bucket Brigade, where they carry pails of water up a ladder to be the first to fill a 200-litre bucket. The public is advised to stand well back of the action, because this event could get damp.

The final event of the afternoon is the Tug-O-War taking place at 2 p.m., when the teams take part in this traditional test of strength. The public is also advised to stand well back from the tug- o-war, especially after the winning team is declared, because rumour has it that the victorious squad of firefighters is likely to become quite boisterous as they give congratulations to the winning coach.

Bonnie Rempel, director of marketing at Lougheed Town Centre, said Fire Prevention Weekend is just one aspect of the centre's ongoing relationship with local firefighters, which resulted in more than $125,000 being raised for the Burnaby Firefighters' Charitable Association last year.

"We do a lot of work with the Burnaby firefighters because there is nothing more devastating to a family than to have to survive a fire," Rempel said.

During Fire Prevention Weekend at Lougheed Town Centre, families can learn about the Vital Information Program (VIP), have their face painted and play the Hazard House interactive computer game.

Other special events include the firefighters reading storybooks as part of the monthly children's storytime featuring Marya and Max at 10:30 a.m., Oct. 8 in front of the Michael Hill Jeweller store.

Children who sign up early can also participate in the Arthur 'Meet and Greet' magic show taking place at noon and 3 p.m., Oct. 8. Only 200 tickets are available to this show, and they are available on a first-come, first-served basis for a $2 donation.

But the big event will be when Mayor Derek Corrigan and fire chief Stewart go head-to-head in the Burnaby Firefighters Challenge taking place from 1 to 2 p.m. in centre court of Lougheed Town Centre on Sunday, Oct. 9.