More than 150 firefighters from Knoxville, Memphis and a host of cities in between will gather Saturday at the Clarence "Pete" Phillips Fire Service and Codes Enforcement Academy on Unionville-Deason Road to test their skills in the third annual Tennessee Ultimate Fire Fighter (TUFF) Challenge.

The event, which begins at 8 a.m., is open to the public. There will be fun and games for all ages, including face painting, a dunking booth and an appearance by the costumed fire-prevention mascot Sparky The Fire Dog.

The firefighters will compete in a timed course of tasks including victim rescue, ventilation, hose hoisting and climbing, which simulate what they might have to do in a real-life emergency. Competitors this year will include 28 teams from more than 24 of the state's fire departments, as well as 26 individual competitors. Unionville Volunteer Fire Department will be among the teams competing.

"This challenge celebrates the athleticism and strength of our state's first responders," said Commissioner Paula Flowers of Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, who serves as the state fire marshal. "I am proud of our competitors and their proven dedication to the fire service."

The TUFF Challenge is a fund-raiser for the Tennessee Fallen Firefighter Memorial, which is planned for the grounds of the academy to honor firefighters killed in the line of duty. The event is sponsored by the Tennessee Fire Chiefs' Association, Tennessee Firemen's Association and the Tennessee Fallen Firefighter Memorial Committee. About $40,000 has been raised so far towards construction of the memorial, which is expected to cost $220,000.

For more information, call the academy at 294-4111.