Fire Services

Participants will navigate a structured NIST Open Lane course. The NIST Level 1 course is a standardized drone-pilot skills test that challenges students to complete precise takeoff, navigation, and camera-based tasks used in real law-enforcement missions. This course provides a safe, controlled way for high school competitors to demonstrate foundational flight skills, follow safety procedures, and be scored on consistent, repeatable performance.

The Drone Competition Event challenges teams to demonstrate proficiency in precision drone operations and Search & Rescue (SAR) tactics. The Search and Rescue Drone Event is designed to provide students with a structured, law-enforcement–based application of drone technology for locating missing persons and assessing emergency situations. This event emphasizes professionalism, accurate decision-making, and safe drone operation within realistic search-and-rescue scenarios.

The Fire House Design event challenges competitors to conceptualize and present a modern fire facility. Participants will showcase their designs through 3D models and tri-fold poster boards, articulating their vision to a panel of judges.

The First Responder event places competitors in a simulated emergency scene. Participants will assess the situation, administer first aid, and demonstrate CPR/AED skills in a scenario designed to test their medical response acumen.

The Job Exhibit event encourages competitors to research various roles within TPSA's specific career clusters. Competitors will research salary and benefits, education and training requirements, natural abilities and required skills, availability of jobs, opportunities for advancement and any additional benefits or perks that would attract potential applicants. Participants will present their findings through a tri-fold visual display, offering insights into job requirements, salary, and advancement opportunities. Participants can choose any career cluster, however, chapters are limited to 5 entries across all clusters. This is one event which will be judged together across all career clusters.

The Press Conference event casts competitors as Public Information Officers for a fire department. Participants will prepare and deliver a press release, addressing a simulated audience in a press conference setting.

Competitors will create a 30 to 60-second video PSA focused on a fire safety theme, demonstrating accurate public safety information, creativity, and effective messaging.

The Search and Rescue event simulates a two-stage fire rescue scenario. Competitors will don fire bunker gear and navigate through a zero-visibility area to rescue a simulated victim.

The Fire Skill Challenge is a demanding assessment of a Competitor’s physical capabilities and firefighting skills. Participants will complete four sequential challenges—dragging a fire hose over a set distance, transporting heavy fire equipment, simulating forcible entry with a sledgehammer, and performing a victim rescue by dragging a mannequin. Once the course begins, the event does not stop. Competitors must advance through each challenge in one continuous effort without pausing, resting, or breaking rhythm until the final task is complete. The course is designed to test strength, endurance, and technique under sustained physical exertion, reflecting the nonstop demands of real-world firefighting.