Local Firefighters Taking To “Cold Water Challenge 2014”

You might have seen a video on social media: mostly young firefighters throwing down a gauntlet of sorts against other volunteers in a “Cold Water Challenge, 2014.” They then take a short bath of presumably cold water, or they get sprayed with assuredly cold water from a fire or garden hose.

Firefighters are “nominated” to take the challenge. If they accept, they get squirted or plunge with the promise of donating $10 or $20 to a charity of their choice. It’s often the Wounded Warrior Project or similar needy cause. If those nominated don’t get wet within 24 of the nomination, they must donate a sum—sometimes $100—to charity.

In Pittsburgh, firefighters can be seen showered upon from above by the Castle Shannon Volunteer Fire Department’s 119 Truck 1 - 2013 Pierce "The Green Giant.” In other video, a Mt. Oliver volunteer is sprayed with a hose in what appears to be his side yard.

All of the videos are interesting and it’s fun to see the camaraderie among the firefighting brotherhood. In one sampling a firefighter from the Delray Beach Fire Department in Florida, an unidentified member who looks remarkably like action star Jason Stathem in a shower cap, sits in a bath tub sprinkled with two bags of ice. With beer and cigar nearby, the firefighter calmly issues the “Cold Water Challenge” to a handful of comrades. At the end of his gentlemanly wager, the naked firefighter then submerges himself into the tub of water and ice.

Another video shows three emergency responders getting drilled with a fire hose at short range. They eagerly take the dare. After they get blasted, another firefighter arrives to challenge all to donate to their favorite charity, for them it’s the National Fallen Firefighters Fund.

Most videos last less than two minutes.

The emergency responder’s videos are not to be confused with a mostly-teen led “Cold Water Challenge” that reports unsupervised teens jumping into sketchy water. In the Midwest, one 16-year-old teen took the pledge and never surfaced from a dive into Minnesota’s Eagle Lake, where temperatures were estimated to be 37 degrees.

Somewhere in the middle of the social phenomenon are “Cold Water Challenges” created by whole communities. In Chattanooga, Tennessee, the community-at-large is leveling dares in an attempt to raise money for a family in need of a service dog for a toddler with juvenile diabetes. Some $4,000 has already been raised for the young girl.

Authorities are urging anyone accepting a “Cold Water Challenge” to consent only with proper supervision and not do anything dangerous.

Or simply donate to the charity of your choice.