Travis firefighters become four-time world champions

Published Nov. 9, 2007
By Staff Sgt. Matt McGovern
60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

LAS VEGAS -- Under the lights of the original Las Vegas strip, Travis firefighters captured a fourth consecutive Scott World Firefighter Combat Challenge here.

In a time of 4 minutes, 37.89 seconds, the Travis team earned the right to keep their trophy another year. "It was amazing to win the most coveted, sought after portion of the event [the team event] and do this after losing Harry Meyers, a key member of our team, and gaining two new members this year," said David Chiodo, Travis team member.

Firefighters from around the world performed five tasks during the event. These included climbing a five-story tower, hoisting and chopping, dragging hoses and rescuing a life-sized 175-pound "victim" -- while racing against themselves, their opponent and the clock. To make the event even more challenging, participants wore their "full bunker gear," including an air-breathing apparatus throughout the competition.

"We train nine months out of the year, three times a week on course-specific techniques," said Al Caragan, Travis team member. "This was the first full year we had a tower at Travis to practice ascending and descending six flights of stairs and hoisting equipment to the top," said Caragan.

Although it's Caragan's second time assisting his team to the world championship, he said the sense of brotherhood is never lost amongst the team.
"It's an honor to be able to be a part of this team - we would do anything for each other -- we are a family," said Caragan.

The nine-year team captain, Mike Melton, shares this concept. He has assisted his team to eight world championships.

"This event was unforgettable; we were the underdogs with one of our top competitors breaking his hand two months ago and our loss of a key team member, it was asking a lot for our team to take it again - it was awesome," said Melton.

John Speakman, Travis Fire Chief, said Melton has demonstrated military leadership time and again by molding a competitive and prize winning team regardless of personnel changes and outside factors.

"They are truly amazing; teamwork is the key to their success. They're all working for a common goal and nobody on the team wants to let their teammate down," said Chief Speakman. "This team exemplifies the military concept of training hard and executing effectively," he added.

The Travis team includes: Mike Melton, Joseph Almony, David Chiodo, Al Caragan, Ken Setty and Eric Munson.