Wisconsin Rapids firefighter competing for ‘World’s Strongest...”

WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wis. (WSAW) - A Wisconsin Rapids man is competing for the title of World’s Strongest Firefigher.

Last month, Dylan West took his training from the Wisconsin Rapids Fire Department basement to the competition in Columbus, Ohio. He’s been training for months-- training he said, is put to use while on the job.

“It applies heavily to our job. I don’t think it’s any secret that a lot of our job involves lifting people up... off the floor... And that’s just, that’s just the way it is. And if you’re used to lifting up 700 lbs. Your back is probably going to be fine when you try to lift up somebody that was 200 lbs,” said West.

The competition is also a fundraiser. West says a lot of the charities they support are for helping families of firefighters who have fallen on hard times.

It’s something the whole department is proud of.

“Dylan’s a very hard worker. If he sets a goal for himself, he’s going to achieve that goal, no matter what it takes on his end, he will achieve it,” said Battalion Chief Dustin Lease.

This year, West took 12th in his weight class. At age 34, he wants to continue competing as long as his body allows.

West is already training for next year’s competition, and he hopes to inspire some other firefighters so they can compete together and represent the Wisconsin Rapids Fire Department on the world stage.

Copyright 2025 WSAW. All rights reserved.