The Westminster Firefighter Ski and Snowboard Team took to the slopes last month to raise thousands of dollars for burn-care organizations and have some fun in the process.
On Feb. 21, the city’s team competed against 25 other teams in a fire hose race at Arapahoe Basin and raised more than $12,000 to benefit the Children’s Hospital Burn Camps.
The team showed its best performance in the event’s 14 years and took third place, just 0.44 seconds behind the first-place team—Red, White and Blue Fire from Breckenridge, Colorado
Thanks to Firefighter Phil Tahmindjis, Fire Engineer Dave Weiss, Firefighter Micheal Hilderbrand and his brother Jeff, and Fire Paramedic Quint Friesell for their participation and helping to raise thousands of dollars for the Burn Camp Program!
The city’s team also joined nearly 100 other firefighters from around the country on Feb. 24 for the National Firefighter Ski Week and Races in Steamboat Springs. They raised approximately $12,000 for the International Association of Firefighters Burn Foundation and the Denver Firefighters Burn Foundation. Several competed in individual giant slalom races and a team of five entered the hose team race.
“The hose race is great training for those events where we have to respond to non-traditional fires that may occur in wilderness areas that are only accessible by skis or snowboard,” said Friesell.
The Steamboat Hose Team race encountered challenges on the last gate. One of the snowboarders had some trouble going uphill and got tangled in the gate and the hose!
“This may have contributed to why we took 4th place,” said Friesell.
Individual Race Results:
(Medals are awarded by levels of age and experience to the first three places having the fastest time from one run in each race).
- Fire Engineer Chris Dinges — Gold medal
- Firefighter Micael Hilderbrand — Gold medal
- Fire Paramedic Quint Friesell — Silver Medal
- Fire Paramedic Anthony Baldi — Silver Medal
The hose team consisted of Weiss, Firefighter Shawn Caswell, Firefighter Jennifer Trask, Fire Paramedic Anthony Baldi and Friesell.
Congratulations to all participants and thanks for helping to raise thousands of dollars for these wonderful organizations!