Member Gabriel Robison Scores 5th Place in NATIONAL Firefighter Skills Competition

This past week, Firefighter Gabriel Robison traveled to Kansas City, Missouri for the National Vo-Tech "Skills USA" competition. Months ago, it became evident that in the entire Southern MD region (Calvert, Charles, St. Mary's), Gabriel was well above average compared to the majority of the other students. He competed in the Tri-County Southern MD competition in March and scored 2nd place. In April, he was invited to attend a state-wide competition in Anne Arundel County and ranked 1st out of all the other competitors. They were tested on time it took don their gear and SCBA, ladder deployment, replace a burst hoseline, ropes and knots, and finally an intensive written test.

During the National Competition, Gabriel competed with other firefighters across the country; not just in written tests, but an entire hands-on physical challenge that was timed. At the end, Gabriel scored 5th place. Gabriel has been a junior member of the department for the past year and is currently a student in the Calvert County High School cadet program. Students in this curriculum leave school early every day their junior or senior year (whichever year they are in the program) and take the pertinent training they will need in the fire service (FFI, FFII, EMT-B, Rescue-Tech, Haz-Mat Ops, NIMS, Engine Company Ops, Bldg Construction, etc.).

In 2013, member Matthew Montgomery competed in the state competition and scored 1st place. In 2012, member Haley Morgal competed in the Tri-County competition. In 2010, members Matt Fisher, Hunter Stewart & Mike Gaylor were selected and competed in the state competition. Matt Fisher won first place and went on to the National competition in Kanas City, finishing in 10th place. In 2009, member, Ben Jeffrey finished in 1st place and his twin brother, Mike Jeffrey finished in 3rd place in the state competition. In 2008, member Josh Buckler was selected to the competition. In 2007, members, Ty Lester & Rick Grierson competed in the Tri-County competition, state competition, and national competition in Kansas City, Missouri. Huntingtown VFD takes pride in the development, education and future of our young members.

Congratulations to Gabriel!!!

For previous stories regarding our members competing in the Skills USA competition, visit:

1) http://www.hvfd6.org/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=362

2) http://www.hvfd6.org/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=421

3) http://www.hvfd6.org/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=709

4) http://www.hvfd6.org/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=837

5) http://www.hvfd6.org/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=867

6) http://www.hvfd6.org/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=1033

7) http://www.hvfd6.org/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=1146

8) http://www.hvfd6.org/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=1161

9) http://www.hvfd6.org/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=1240

For more information on the Skills USA competition: http://www.skillsusa.org/events/nlsc.shtml