Plumas News
Inside The Fire House
By Tom Forster
July 28, 2016
Firefighter’s Muster Coming to the Fair
The first Plumas Sierra County Fair Firefighter’s Muster will be held on Saturday, August 13 at the Fairgrounds in Quincy. Teams from both counties have been invited to compete in what is hoped will become an annual event.
The word “Muster” dates back into the 1400’s in the military, referring to a “gathering of the troops.” Firefighting musters in America date back to 1849, when the first one recorded was held in Bath, Maine. Five hand powered pumpers competed to see who could pump water the farthest. Hand pumpers were also known as hand tubs, and usually included both a small tank and piston pump. Large numbers of people were required to operate them, and many could pump a stream of water over 200 feet.
Following that event, the gatherings expanded throughout the New England area. The fire ‘companies’, as they were known, enjoyed getting together to compete to prove that their group was the best of all who had come together. Firemen, or ‘fire laddies’, as they were commonly called back then, took great pride in their equipment and team, and long-running rivalries often developed with their neighbors.
One of the typical events was the “bucket brigade”, where teams of firemen would pass leather buckets full of water from a tank to fill barrels or an empty tank in the fastest time. Another was hose cart racing, where teams ran with their hose cart, laying a hose line that was then hooked up to a water supply and charged with water. At the other end of the hose line, a fireman with the nozzle knocked down a target with the water stream, and the fastest time winning.
When motorized apparatus came on the scene in the early 1900’s, events were developed that included racing with the engines in the same manner as the hose carts – laying a hose line and knocking down a target. As time went on, musters expanded through the United States and Canada, in addition to overseas. Today there are even firefighter “combat” challenges, where physical fitness is at a premium in the events. Obstacle courses, ladder raises, water fights, hose line ‘make and break’s’, and charged hose line extensions are some of the many events where teams don’t need antique equipment to compete.
This years Plumas Sierra Muster will have four events, none of which require antique equipment, since most of our FD’s do not have any. While we may joke that some of our front line apparatus is “antique”, in reality there are few hose carts or restored antique apparatus over 50 years old in our area. However, some of the antique apparatus that do exist here will be on display, such as a 1928 Dodge fire engine from Quincy FD, and there will be a demonstration of a hose cart race. Co-ed teams are encouraged - there will not be separate men’s and women’s events.
Our four events this year are 1) the bucket brigade, 2) a charged hose line extension called “The Human Hose Clamp”, 3) a water fight or “water polo” event, and 4) a protective clothing and self-contained breathing apparatus donning race. Teams of five will compete for both individual and team awards, and the best overall team score will be awarded the perpetual team championship trophy.
Come cheer on your local team! The competition will start tentatively at 4 pm, and will end by 7 pm. Retired California State Fire Marshal Chief Ronny J. Coleman will serve as the Master of Ceremonies. Ronny is a recognized expert on fire history, and serves as the volunteer President of the National Fire Heritage Center. He’ll elaborate on the history of fire musters for the crowd.
Inside The Fire House
By Tom Forster
July 28, 2016
Firefighter’s Muster Coming to the Fair
The first Plumas Sierra County Fair Firefighter’s Muster will be held on Saturday, August 13 at the Fairgrounds in Quincy. Teams from both counties have been invited to compete in what is hoped will become an annual event.
The word “Muster” dates back into the 1400’s in the military, referring to a “gathering of the troops.” Firefighting musters in America date back to 1849, when the first one recorded was held in Bath, Maine. Five hand powered pumpers competed to see who could pump water the farthest. Hand pumpers were also known as hand tubs, and usually included both a small tank and piston pump. Large numbers of people were required to operate them, and many could pump a stream of water over 200 feet.
Following that event, the gatherings expanded throughout the New England area. The fire ‘companies’, as they were known, enjoyed getting together to compete to prove that their group was the best of all who had come together. Firemen, or ‘fire laddies’, as they were commonly called back then, took great pride in their equipment and team, and long-running rivalries often developed with their neighbors.
One of the typical events was the “bucket brigade”, where teams of firemen would pass leather buckets full of water from a tank to fill barrels or an empty tank in the fastest time. Another was hose cart racing, where teams ran with their hose cart, laying a hose line that was then hooked up to a water supply and charged with water. At the other end of the hose line, a fireman with the nozzle knocked down a target with the water stream, and the fastest time winning.
When motorized apparatus came on the scene in the early 1900’s, events were developed that included racing with the engines in the same manner as the hose carts – laying a hose line and knocking down a target. As time went on, musters expanded through the United States and Canada, in addition to overseas. Today there are even firefighter “combat” challenges, where physical fitness is at a premium in the events. Obstacle courses, ladder raises, water fights, hose line ‘make and break’s’, and charged hose line extensions are some of the many events where teams don’t need antique equipment to compete.
This years Plumas Sierra Muster will have four events, none of which require antique equipment, since most of our FD’s do not have any. While we may joke that some of our front line apparatus is “antique”, in reality there are few hose carts or restored antique apparatus over 50 years old in our area. However, some of the antique apparatus that do exist here will be on display, such as a 1928 Dodge fire engine from Quincy FD, and there will be a demonstration of a hose cart race. Co-ed teams are encouraged - there will not be separate men’s and women’s events.
Our four events this year are 1) the bucket brigade, 2) a charged hose line extension called “The Human Hose Clamp”, 3) a water fight or “water polo” event, and 4) a protective clothing and self-contained breathing apparatus donning race. Teams of five will compete for both individual and team awards, and the best overall team score will be awarded the perpetual team championship trophy.
Come cheer on your local team! The competition will start tentatively at 4 pm, and will end by 7 pm. Retired California State Fire Marshal Chief Ronny J. Coleman will serve as the Master of Ceremonies. Ronny is a recognized expert on fire history, and serves as the volunteer President of the National Fire Heritage Center. He’ll elaborate on the history of fire musters for the crowd.