Two on-call firefighters are stepping up their preparations for the British Firefighter Challenge 2026 after securing a specialist 70kg training dummy to help them tackle one of the competition’s toughest events.
Lauren Addis and Lisa Norgate-Barnes, both serving on-call firefighters based in Oxfordshire, are currently training for the internationally recognised challenge, which pushes firefighters to their physical and mental limits while raising funds for charities that support emergency services.
One of the most demanding parts of the competition is the casualty drag, which requires competitors to pull a 70kg dummy while wearing the full fire kit, weighing three and a half stone.
During training, the pair realised they had a problem: their regular training partner, a 55kg dummy affectionately nicknamed “Tom” (after Tom Hardy), simply wasn’t heavy enough to replicate the full competition conditions. Without access to a heavier dummy, preparing properly for the challenge would be difficult.
Their situation changed after Agility EOR stepped in to fund the purchase of a specialist training dummy so the pair could train at full competition weight.
Lisa, who is married to Agility EOR Sales Director Sam Barnes, approached the company founders to explore whether support might be possible. Recognising both the demands of the competition and the wider charitable impact of the event, the company agreed to purchase the equipment.
Sam Barnes, Sales Director at Agility EOR, said, “I have seen first-hand the incredible dedication that goes into preparing for the British Firefighter Challenge. The physical demands are intense, with competitors wearing a full three-and-a-half-stone fire kit.
“When we realised there was a practical way we could support Lisa and Lauren, it was something we were genuinely proud to do. Backing those who serve their communities, while also supporting the charities that stand behind our emergency services, reflects exactly what we stand for as a business.”
Lisa Norgate-Barnes added, “We’re incredibly grateful for the support from Agility EOR. The British Firefighter Challenge is one of the toughest events we take part in, and being able to train properly makes a huge difference, not just for competition day, but for our confidence and capability on the job.
“Our old training dummy, ‘Tom’, has served us well, but now we can finally train at full competition weight. All we’re missing now is a name for the new dummy.”
The pair will continue training in the lead-up to the 2026 event while also supporting fundraising efforts for emergency service charities connected to the challenge.
For more information about Agility EOR, please visit www.agilityeor.com
