A team of local firefighters is heading to Texas this weekend to participate in the Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge.

McNeill Volunteer Fire Department Chief Donny Leonard Sr. and his son along with Pine Grove Volunteer Fire Department Chief Steve Seal, Carriere Volunteer Fire Department Chief Chris Brown, Tony Scharenbrock with Southeast Volunteer Fire Department and Ronnie Reynolds will compete in the 40 and older relay race. 

The relay race involves a number of tasks that firefighters conduct when responding to fires, including chopping, carrying a rolled fire hose, pulling a charged fire hose to a destination before shooting water at a target and dragging an adult sized dummy a certain distance.

Leonard said he plans to compete in the solo race, which will be held Saturday. In the solo race one person completes all the tasks of the relay race as fast as they can.

Leonard and his son will also compete in the father son tandem run.

On Sunday, the team will compete in the relay race, where one person of the team completes one part of the course at a time. They have named their team “On Fire for God” and will also hold devotionals before each day’s competitions. Leonard said as part of that effort they will be handing out Bibles to those who want them.

Last year the team participated in the competition, coming in third place nationally in the 40 and older relay category.

“We will try to do better this time,” Leonard said.

In October the team plans to compete in two more of the competitions, to be held in Texas and Alabama. 

The team is looking for donations to help with travel and food costs associated with the competition.