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MUNISING -- Firefighters use strength, endurance, and skill when responding to emergency situations.  But for volunteer firefighters across the U.P., the Annual Volunteer Firefighter’s Tournament is game day.

"This is the big one, this is the Super Bowl," says Brett Baubla of the Marquette Township Fire Department.

It’s the 116th annual Volunteer Firefighter’s Tournament, a three-day celebration with 1,100 U.P. firefighters attending.  They'll be busy with plenty of activities this weekend in the "Battle by the Bay" in Munising.

This morning, it was the timed ladder race.

"It’s a lot of fun.  It gives U.P. firefighters a chance to get together and have friendly competition,” says Dan Malone, Munising Fire Chief. 

While the competition is friendly, that doesn't mean it’s not serious.

Last year's champions--the Skandia West Branch Fire Department--have been practicing since it started warming up outside this spring.  Lately, they’ve been working at it every week.

"We're pretty competitive; we won last year, we have support from our whole township,” says Kevin Downs, Skandia Fire Department.
 
“You don't come to lose, you come to win,” Baubla said.  “I mean it's fun, but you want to win."

While they are having fun, they're also practicing the skills they need to use in emergency situations.