Fire-Dex announces “Take the Fire-Dex Challenge” & “Heat of the Battle” custom Orange County Chopper winner

Lt. Gene Marcheschi, winner of the Fire-Dex’s Orange County Chopper Photo Courtesy Fire-Dex

The “Heat of the Battle,” Fire-Dex’s firefighter-inspired custom built Orange County Chopper, was the grand prize of the “Take the Fire-Dex Challenge” event at the Fire Department Instructors’ Conference (FDIC) in Indianapolis in April. To be entered into a random drawing to win the “Heat of the Battle,” firefighters tried on Fire-Dex turnout gear and challenged an opponent in a one-of-a-kind firefighter-inspired obstacle course.

In total, nearly 1,000 participants took the Fire-Dex Challenge to become eligible for the “Heat of the Battle,” or one of three sets of turnout gear autographed by Paul Teutul Sr, owner of Orange County Chopper.

“At FDIC, I came across the Fire-Dex Challenge while I was waiting for a friend, and decided to try it,” says Gene Marcheschi. “The gear felt really good and I had great movement in it because it wasn’t bulky, cumbersome or restrictive.

“When my chief asked me if I entered any contests at FDIC and said Fire-Dex called, I thought he was pulling my leg,” Marcheschi says. “I mean, there are thousands of firefighters at an event like this and I still can’t believe I won it.”

Lt. Marcheschi has been an active duty firefighter for 24 years and has worked for the Blue Island Fire Department since 1979. He is also a fan of “American Chopper,” the reality television show about Orange County Choppers. The three lucky winners of the autographed turnout gear were Donald Haynes, Tony DeCap and Shannon Tanner.

“To celebrate 25 years of growth and success,” says Bill Burke, president of Fire-Dex, “we commissioned Orange County Choppers to build the firefighter-inspired ‘Heat of the Battle,’ so we could give it away to a firefighter at FDIC.”

 “It’s a privilege to be able to give this custom chopper to a deserving individual like Gene Marcheschi who has donated his life to protecting others and saving lives,” Burke adds.

“Anytime we get to build a bike that pays tribute to the brave men and women of our country it is always such an honor,” Teutul Sr said. “Building the Fire-Dex ‘Heat of Battle’ bike was no exception.”

“The obstacle course let firefighters actively maneuver in our gear to gain firsthand experience of its lightweight and flexibility by competing for this one-of-a-kind prize,” says Burke.