Enterprise firefighters hope to hose the competition

By Kelly Tabor

Published: October 1, 2008

Four teams comprised of local fire department members will challenge each other this Saturday in the third annual Firefighter Competition.

The event takes place at 9 a.m. at Henderson Park off Highway 167. Chief Byron Herring of the Enterprise Fire Department said the Battens Volunteer Fire Dept., Goodman Volunteer Fire Dept., Ozark Fire Dept. and the EFD have all confirmed their attendance.

“A little competition never hurt anybody,“ said Herring. “I see it as an opportunity for networking and for the public to see the hard work they do.“

The event kicks off Fire Safety Week which runs from Oct. 5 through 11.

“We have Fire Safety Month,“ said Herring. “We don’t do a week. Our Fire Prevention Program reaches every kindergartener and first-grader in Enterprise.“

Teams of at least five people will don their fire helmets, bunker pants, bunker coats and fire boots as they compete in six different timed events. The Bucket Brigade will have team members carrying buckets of water to fill a pool, and contestants in the Barrel Push will use the fierce stream of a fire hose to move a barrel keg across a finish line without pushing it with their hands.

Other events include the Running Hose in which participants work on hose and nozzle assembly and knock down targets with a water stream, and the Dry Hose tests hose and nozzle disconnecting and rolling skills. The 1 Into 2 event asks firefighters to connect hoses of different sizes and the Busted Hose will have team members clamping hoses and knocking down targets.

“We’ll be giving out trophies for first, second and third place,“ said Herring, whose department currently holds the top spot. Refreshments and door prizes will be available to participants.

Herring said bleachers will be set up, but recommends spectators bring lawn chairs to the free show. He added that onlookers should beware of one possible side effect.

“People on the sidelines will probably get a little wet,“ he said. “Just a heads up.“

Herring said he hoped for more contestants as in past years, but finding a date that doesn’t conflict with football and hunting season poses a challenge.

“Next year we’ll probably set it up in the Spring,“ he said.