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Three Time Delco Cup Champs

On Saturday, September 9th, Springfield Firefighters had one thing in mind, defend the title of Delco Cup Champions.  Having won the title for the first time in 2004 and successfully defending the title in 2005, Springfield Firefighters were looking forward to competing against some tough competition from the other 10 Delaware County Fire Company teams registered for the event this year.

Springfield Fire Company team members returned the Delco Cup for a second time on Engine 44-3.  This year the team was accompanied by Mrs. Pennsylvania International, Cheryl Cameron.  Mrs. Pennsylvania International is a native of Springfield and her platform for 2006 is Fire Safety and Fire Prevention.

Springfield started off the 2006 Competition events by being the first team in the Hand line Scramble event.  The Springfield Team of Capt. Ed Abel Jr., Eng. Jack Redding, FF Ray Kreszswick, FF Joseph Fraatz, FF Brian Kohl set an impressive time that would give the rest of the field the time to beat.

After a short rest, five members of the team competed in the Iron Man Competition.  Lt. Matthew LeTourneau, FF Marc DiPaulo, FF Pat Gallagher, FF Paul Hurley and FF Brian Kohl completed the course and set some of the fastest times for the event.

With the competition moving into the afternoon, the event switched to the Deck Gun Event.  Springfield was set to go next to last, which provided an opportunity for team members to watch the event and cheer on all the other teams.  When the time came, Springfield firefighters Eng. John Fox, FF Ray Kreszswick, FF Pat Gallagher, FF Joseph Fraatz and FF Brian Kohl set out to beat the top time posted in the event.

The last event of the day was the always tough Bucket Brigade Event.  Members have to gear up in full firefighting gear and work as a team to full up a 55 gallon drum on a platform with buckets of water from a portable pond.  Springfield Deputy Chief Michael Huczko, Lt. Matthew LeTourneau, FF Marc DiPaulo, FF Ray Kreszswick and FF Pat Gallagher went first and set a very tough time for the rest of the field. 

With the events completed and all teams giving everything they had, the results were eagerly awaited.  When all the awards were handed out, Springfield Firefighters brought home first place awards for the Hose Line Scramble, Deck Gun Event and Iron Man Competition.  A second place award was won in the Bucket Brigade Event.  Springfield Firefighters also brought home the top award for individual Iron Man time ( Lt. Matthew LeTourneau - 1 min, 15 seconds) and a Hard Luck Award given to FF Paul Hurley for an injury received during the Iron Man competition that required a trip to the hospital as a precaution.  And the final award of the day, the 2006 Choice Marketing Delco Cup Champions was awarded to Springfield Fire Company.

Congratulations to all the teams that competed.  Competing to honor our fallen firefighters from Delaware County is what makes the Firefighters Competition a great event each year.  Springfield Fire Company looks forward to defending the Cup once again in 2007.