Springfield Fire Company attended the annual Philly Fire Muster at the Philadelphia Fire Academy on Sunday, October 19th. With the event starting at 10am, Springfield Firefighters made the journey up I-95 to the Northeast section of Philadelphia where the Academy is located just off of State Road on Pennypack Street.
Tower 44 and Utility 44 were on display on the grounds of the Academy throughout the day. There were also three competition events that Springfield firefighters participated in during the Muster. The first event was a Quick Dress, where 4 firefighters had to don all their structural firefighting gear in the fastest time. This included: boots, pants, coat, protective hood, helmet and gloves. Springfield's Team finished with the fastest time for a First Place award.
The next event was a Quick Draft competition. Three firefighters competed in the event using Tower 44. The Team had to hook up a hard suction hose to the pump on Tower 44 to draft water from a portable pond and supply water thru a 2 1/2" hose line to a master stream device. The Team finished with a second place award.
The last event was a Bucket Brigade. Four of the five firefighters making up the team had to don all structural firefighting gear before they could start filling up buckets of water from a portable pond to fill up a 55 gallon drum to the top. The fifth firefighter was already geared up and was on top of a platform where the 55 gallon was located to assist with filling up the drum. Springfield was awarded another First Place award for this event.
The Springfield Fire Company Competition Team was also given the top prize of Best Overall Drill Team. Springfield's apparatus also caught the eye of Judges and many attendees throughout the day. Tower 44 was awarded Best Appearing Tower / Snorkel and Utility 44 was awarded a Judges Award.
Springfield Fire Company would like to thank the Philadelphia Fire Department, the Philadelphia Fire Museum, the Philadelphia Fire Department Historical Corporation and all the individuals and organizations who donated time and money to run such a great event. Springfield Fire Company looks forward to returning and competing again in 2009.
Springfield Fire Company members with Philadelphia Fire Department Commissioner Lloyd Ayers
Tower 44 in front of the Drill Tower at Philadelphia's Fire Academy
Members competing with Tower 44 in the Quickest Draft Competition
Philadelphia Fire Department Fire Boat Independence
