Fire Muster, Fire Muster Where? New Haven, In.

[solo1]

When? This Saturday, Aug. 26th, all day.  First event of its kind in this area.

Regional Event.  Over 100 fire trucks, new and old on display, EMS helicopters,  Parade, Fire Event competition, events for the kids, Friendly town. Easy parking. Easy to get to.  Just off 469 East Of Ft. Wayne.  Main motel close to the action: Holiday Inn Express, New Haven.

C'mon guys, lots of work went into this plus look me up, Ill be around. No, I don't get a cut of the action, I just like my town.

Wayne, solo1

[J.Mencalice]

Seventy percent of all firefighters in America are volunteers.  Musters are a way to blow off steam, get physical with contests of technical abilities on display, and just plain old muscling and humping carts, hose, and water.  My maternal grandfather and uncles were firefighters in the 30's 40's and 50's when equipment was rudimentary and courage was evident because fire science had not yet been invented.
My grandfather harnessed horses, fired up a steam powered pumper, and drove the team to the fire. Leather lungs and burly men in small towns throughout Massachusetts answered the rally horns around town that blasted long and short to tell them where the fire was located.  No pagers, no sophisticated radio systems, no cell phones, no computers, no GPS.

I'm proud to have served our community in that capacity for ten years.
We considered ourselves as professional as any paid department because of our training, education, and devotion to our town.  The money really didn't matter (we got paid an average of $5 per call/meeting/training) when it was the best of fun and camaraderie.  The job will test your mettle.
Put that in my obit when it's all done.

Likened it to going to war without the expectation of being shot at...ya'know...fun!
It's a Zen type of thing if you think about it.

Have a ball out there in Indiana.

[Hooter]

Thanks Wayne for the information and doing your part.  These events are special and eye opening. I was in the business for 35 years and loved every minute of it. Retired a year ago. Spent 21 years as chief of an excellent full service "paid on call" department. Wasn't all pretty, but very rewarding!  I don't think most people know what it takes to be a paid on call fire fighter.  When the tones drop  we're dealing with lives and or property, maybe both at the same time?  Training is extensive / involved and continual.

It takes a special person to be dedicated to this profession! I applaud and say "thank you " to anyone doing or have done the job of protecting the public in this capacity!!  

[old2soon]

Have been awakened many times over the years at around oh dark thirty by the pager in my bedroom with first wife while living in Texas. No pay involved at all-well I did eat for free at the Volunteer Firemen fund raisers couple times a year. My turn out gear was near the front door as I was only a block and a half from the fire house. When we bought our jaws of life for Garrison Texas we were-at that time-on a par with Dallas Texas-we had one jaws of life and Dallas had one jaws of life. I've overhauled a couple fires with a Scott air pak and a pike pole. Guy with me with a Scott and a 1 inch red line. Wish I could attend Wayne! Post some pictures after the event please. I have no idea what mind set it takes to run into a fire but at times I do miss it. I remember the Fire Chief and Doc asking me could I git a local job. Response times were a bit longer when I was away driving truck for my living. To all those in turn out gear and manning the ambulances-THANKS. RIDE SAFE.