Lost Luggage Leaves Fleming Fire Combat Member With No Equipment At National Championships

Liam Cole, a Fleming College graduate and member of the Fleming Fire Combat Team, arrived in Calgary on Wednesday for the National FireFit Championships, only to find that his luggage - with all of his equipment - had gone missing.

Photo courtesy of Linda Langlois.

“He has worked so hard to be in this,” said Linda Langlois, Cole’s grandmother. “This is his first time travelling by himself, he’s 19, it’s 2:30 in the morning in the airport, he’s scrambling.”

The competition began on Wednesday and will run until Sunday.

Cole qualified to compete in Calgary after crushing his personal best at the Oshawa Regionals in August.

To compete in these competitions competitors must wear full bunker gear which they supply themselves.

“He’s been borrowing gear from anyone who isn’t competing, which will cause issues when group races begin,” said Adam Cole, Liam’s father.

In addition to not having equipment for his competition, Cole is also missing all of his personal items and is now dealing with the stress of potentially losing thousands of dollars of equipment.

“Liam went into that first day of competition with five hours of sleep, no gear and no clothes.”

Adam says he has been back and fourth with Lynx Airlines since Liam landed in Calgary, trying to locate his luggage. He waited on hold for over an hour, spoke with a representative for two hours and has still received little to no help.

He has also has been in contact with the Calgary Airport, who he says has been helpful but unsuccessful in getting answers and has spoken with Toronto Pearson Airport with no success.

“It’s hard to understand that they can’t even give us an idea of where it was forgotten or the last time it was seen,” said Adam. “Luggage is tagged, it gets scanned, how does no one know where it is?”

Liam flew from Toronto Pearson to Calgary International Airport via Lynx Airlines.

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Fleming Fire Combat Team Takes FireFit Nationals By Storm

Congrats to the Fleming Fire Combat Team, which took the Canadian 2018 National FireFit Championships in Calgary by storm. They brought home a National bronze medal in the co-ed relay and a silver medal in the co-ed X3 division.

The team has gained much momentum since its inception in 2014, and over the last three years brought home National medals competing against the fastest and fittest firefighters from across Canada.  

Photo courtesy Fleming College

Seven national qualifying students and two coaches travelled to Calgary to compete against the best at the Canadian National FireFit Championships, which was televised by TSN. This year, the team upped their game by not only competing against other schools but also competing in the Open category as a way to be considered equals in the sport.

The 2018 Fleming Fire Combat Team was comprised of two volunteer coaches: full-time firefighter Shawna Coulter and 2015 team Alumni Trevor Russell. The team included Kendal Freshwater, Gaelen Palleske, Drew Goble, Kaylea Brunatti, Eric Fregonas, Mak Hope and Logan Cornelius. (Team member Janell Stonehouse was unable to attend this year’s competition.)

“I am very proud of the team’s outstanding effort and dedication,” says Shawna Coulter. “It is a huge commitment for these young people and often a juggling act between academic, work and training schedules. The team took on the challenge with enthusiasm. Their drive and genuine love for the sport is demonstrated at every practice and at every competition.”

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