Team Andersen firefighters earned a share of first place after a strong finish during the annual Guam Fire Muster competition in Hagatna, Guam, March 28-29.

The annual event brought together members from the Guam Airport Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting division, Guam Fire Department and the Navy Fire Department for a friendly competition. The Naval Base Guam Fire Department won the first day, but Team Andersen came back strong winning day two.,

This year's event included the truck pull, bucket brigade and a firefighter challenge obstacle course, and an extra event was added to decide the overall winner between Andersen and Navy Fire Departments when they were tied after the final event.

"The competition has been very competitive in the recent years," said Stanley Torres, 36th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire and Emergency Services Flight chief of training. "Every firefighter that competed gave it their all and made it a great event."

The Naval Base Guam Fire Department won the first day, but Team Andersen came back strong winning day two.,

The fire chief of training credited the victory to the Air Force Fitness Program.

"All of the competitors were talented at their jobs, but it was the year-round physical fitness the Air Force requires and the youth that pushed Team Andersen to another victory," Torres said.

Officials from the Andersen Fire Department stressed the importance of building camaraderie between the firefighters and how winning the competition is an afterthought.  

"Throughout the two-day competition, our main focus is to improve working relationships and share knowledge between the different organizations," said Master Sgt. Crispin Pacificar, 36th CES Fire and Emergency Services chief of safety. "We want to build familiarity between us so when we show up on scene there's no confusion and we will be able to work well with each other."