close

Hose-laying contest draws large crowd

By Patty Yauger 3 min read

CONNELLSVILLE – Anytime there is a fire call, getting the hose to the water source and then to the blaze in a short period of time is critical. While there was no fire to respond to Tuesday, time was of the essence as several county fire companies battled to complete the task and take the top trophy back to their community as the Fayette County Firemen’s Association convention continued at the South 7th Street fire station of New Haven Hose Volunteer Fire Co.

“It’s a fun event,” said Woody Nicholson, Hiller fire chief of the hose-laying contest. “It draws a lot of people.”

The Hiller firefighters took third place in Monday’s battle of the barrel competition with two Dunbar Volunteer Fire Department teams securing the first and second place titles.

The Hiller firefighters were also successful Tuesday in the hose-laying contest for light duty trucks, taking first place.

The competition begins with the blowing of a whistle, signaling the driver of the fire truck to begin moving toward the first stop where a member of the team jumps to the ground and attaches one hose to the fire hydrant.

The driver proceeds to the second destination, where another team member secures a second hose to the truck while the fourth member carries the hose to its full-length and waits while the water courses from the hydrant to the truck and then into the extended hose.

His goal is to have the nozzle pointed directly at the basketball target so that when the water begins to flow, it causes the target to fall from its base.

The team, dressed in full firefighter gear, race against the clock.

The Hiller foursome took 32.9 seconds to complete the course, with North Union VFD needing 41 seconds and Fayette City VFD taking 47.8 seconds.

In the heavy-duty truck category, McClellandtown VFD edged South Connellsville VFD by 18.49 seconds for the top spot.

Five teams competed in the super heavy-duty competition, with Hiller again beating out the competition finishing in 41.34 seconds. Other teams and scores included South Brownsville VFD, 50.22 seconds; Fairchance VFD, 50.25 seconds; North Union 1, 51.23 seconds and North Union 2, 61.75 seconds.

While the skills competition drew hundreds to watch the event, young conventiongoers sought out the amusement rides, game booths and other activities being offered at the event.

The cake wheel saw a few attempts to test their skill at determining what number would allow them to take home a baked good donated by a member of the community.

Mike Napolillo, event chairman, said New Haven representatives would be at Shop ‘n Save today from 3 to 4 p.m. to collect baked good donations from area residents.

Donated baked goods will be received at the New Haven fire station on Thursday.

“It can be cookies or fudge or any baked good,” he said.

The schedule of convention events for the upcoming week include:

Wednesday – 6 p.m., bucket brigade competition. 7 p.m., musical entertainment by Girlz in Black Hats.

Thursday – 6 p.m., tug of war and truck pull competition. 6:30 p.m., Mon-Valley Cloggers. 8 p.m., musical entertainment by the Crazy Cowboys.

Friday – 6 p.m., cruise night with displays of antique cars and motorcycles. 7 p.m., musical entertainment by the Brass Knuckles.

Saturday – 9 a.m., firemen’s bike ride. 4 p.m., firemen’s parade. 7 p.m., musical entertainment by Punch. 10:30 p.m., fireworks display.

Fayette Amusements will provide carnival rides each night. All events, entertainment and fireworks will take place on South 7th Street.

CUSTOMER LOGIN

If you have an account and are registered for online access, sign in with your email address and password below.

NEW CUSTOMERS/UNREGISTERED ACCOUNTS

Never been a subscriber and want to subscribe, click the Subscribe button below.

Starting at $4.79/week.

Subscribe Today