The Coquitlam RCMP invited the public to a physical fitness event to teach them about the requirements of being a first responder.

In a release Tuesday, Mounties said Fitness with a First Responder is a unique opportunity for potential applicants to experience the job in a fun way. It was held on Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. — attendees got to choose between completing the Coquitlam Crunch or

The Coquitlam Crunch is a steep 3.6-mile out-and-back trail that takes an average of 1 hour and 56 minutes to complete. It prepares first responders for physically draining situations they will have to overcome like wearing over 50 pounds of equipment, crawling through confined spaces, and running up stairs.

“It’s exhausting-It’s a good physical workout and by the time you make it to the top you’ll know you’ve made it to the top,” one attendee said.

Tom Lippmann with Coquitlam Fire Rescue says the Coquitlam Crunch helps prepare first responders for a variety of physical hurdles they have to overcome in their careers.

“In Coquitlam specifically there’s a lot of trail networks, we have to follow the trails, we have to carry patients in and out of those situations, climb ladders, crawl in and out of buildings,” he said.

Lippmann says it is extremely important for first responders to keep fit.

“We regularly go to the gym, it’s almost required,” he said.

The event hosted first responders from Coquitlam RCMP, Coquitlam Fire and Rescue, Port Coquitlam Fire Service, BC Explosive Disposal and Chemical/Biological/Radiological/Nuclear Response Unit (EDU/CBRN), Transit Police and British Columbia Emergency Health Services (BC EHS).

The RCMP says if anyone was not able to attend this event, they can learn more about the physical requirements of BC RCMP in future workshops like “Workout with a Recruiter”. Potential applicants can also find future events on the RCMP’s recruiting events calendar.