Everson fire department’s history honored
CONNELLSVILLE – The year was 1909. William Howard Taft would succeed Theodore Roosevelt as the 27th president of the United States. That year, construction began on the RMS Titanic and the Pittsburgh Pirates would defeat the Detroit Tigers in the World Series. Also that same year, the Everson Volunteer Fire Co. was founded and on Tuesday the community and several area fire departments celebrated the centennial anniversary of the organization during the 71st Fayette County Fireman’s Convention.
“So far so good,” said Everson fire Chief Chuck Leighty as he watched residents and visitors find a picnic table to eat some of the homemade food offered by local churches, clubs and organizations. “The weather has really cooperated and we’ve had a good turnout.”
Games for all ages, slides for the youngsters and a train display drew the attention of both the young and old.
“And there will be a disc jockey later on,” said Leighty.
The competition on this particular night was the stationary and moving hose-laying contest.
The event 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.
Five teams competed in the heavy-duty truck category with Hiller completing the course in 60.55 seconds.
Although a five second penalty was tacked on to its score because a firefighter lost his helmet as the truck sped from one spot to another, the Fairchance VFD team took second place with a time of 71.38 seconds.
Other teams and scores included Smock VFD, 77.22 seconds, a second Fairchance VFD team, 92.72 seconds and Isabella VFD, 123.63 seconds.
The Hiller department had no competition in the light-duty division and completed the drill in 58.62 seconds.
Longtime South Brownsville fire chief and chairman of the convention’s nightly events Woody Nicholson tracked the times and offered judgment when questions arose.
“We have rules for everything,” he said as he looked through the orange notebook. “It is a friendly competition.”
Nicholson recalls a county convention held in Fayette City several years ago and his fire company completing the firefighting drill in 29 seconds.
“Now that was pretty quick,” he said.
The county convention and Everson departments’ 100th anniversary celebration continues tonight with a gear scramble competition beginning at 6:30 and entertainment by Fay-West D.J.
Other activities include:
Thursday, scaffold and house bucket brigade and the Molly Jo Alley band.
Friday, tug of war and fire truck pull with entertainment by Abandoned.
Saturday, parade beginning at 5 p.m. and Rare Form performing on stage at 8 p.m. A fireworks display will close the convention. A Smock volunteer firefighter takes aim during Tuesday?s hose-laying competition in Everson. Christine Pocratsky/Herald-Standard