FAIRHOPE -- The Fairhope Volunteer Fire Department Explorers competed in the second Annual Explorer Competition in Helena, Alabama on Sept. 10.

This competition is extremely physical and requires endurance as well knowledge of the fire service.

Eleven of the FVFD Explorers participated in the competition and won a second place trophy in Broken Hose Relay. In that event, there are three sections of hose that are charged. The second section is busted and has to be replaced. They then had to recharge the line and hit two targets.

They also won a first place trophy in Last Resort, where a team of four fire explorers enters an obstacle course through a window, maneuvers through the course to reach a “downed firefighter” at the end and bring him and their four team members back through the course to safety. The time ends when all five have passed through the window.

The FVFD Explorer post is open to students ages 14-18 and they were competing against Explorer posts who run 14-21 year olds.

For information on the FVFD or to learn more about the Explorer program, call 251-545-5946.