Firefighting Olympians Feel the Burn

Most days, running up a flight of stairs or dragging an injured person to safety would be just another day at work for Bill Lawson.

But on Monday, the 36-year-old firefighter and paramedic in Orange, Calif., ran three miles, swam 100 meters and carried a dummy from a simulated danger zone, all in the name of fun.

Lawson is among more than 2,000 men and women from across the state who have come to town for the 1997 Firefighters’ Olympics. The annual event, which has been held since 1970, began on Sunday, giving firefighters a chance to flex their muscles on the fields and in the pools of athletic endeavor, and meet others who spend their lives saving others.

“Being a firefighter entails being in good physical condition,” said a winded Lawson, of Encinitas, near San Diego, after completing 12 laps around the Ventura High School track in 18:45. That’s three miles in under 19 minutes.

Earlier in the day, Lawson completed a 100-meter swim, numerous sit-ups and a 100-yard dash, all part of the six-event physical fitness portion of the competition.

Jack Nosco, a captain with the Ventura County Fire Department and executive director of the Firefighters’ Olympics, came in a close second in the 35- to 40-year-old division.

“This is the result of our day-in-and-day-out routine,” said Nosco, 35, of Newbury Park. “This is a good way for the firefighters to express their abilities.”

The games are open to retired and full-time firefighters, and encompass 23 events, including tennis, triathlon, power lifting and ice hockey. Other events are pingpong, horseshoes and golf.

“We have everything for the serious athlete, and for the guys who just want to have fun,” said Nosco, who has been with the County Fire Department since 1984.

A serious athlete, Nosco can often be found in so-called “ultra” competitions, including 24- and 53-hour runs, and long-distance bike events in such challenging places as Death Valley.

As a way to emphasize family participation, today’s events include a kids Olympics at San Buenaventura State Beach. Golfers will tee off at 8:30 a.m. at the Ojai Valley Inn, and the surfing competition will run from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Marina Cove in Ventura.

“We have 126 participants in the surfing competition,” Nosco said. “Softball has more participants than any other event, 700 in all. They’re playing all over.”

The games continue through Friday.