City of Ironwood's Daily News Source

Firefighter Tourney Heats UP!

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Florence, WI - July 25, 2009

115th Upper Peninsula Firefighters Tournament

Friday would be the big day for the U.P. Firefighters gathered in Florence, Wisconsin, as this would be the day when the competitive events would take place

While it would be a day of sport and fun, it would be a day that would test the firefighters skills needed to do their job when called upon to do so. Ironically, IronwoodInfo was at last years event and photographed the firefighters going through their paces at the tournament in Houghton. just weeks afterward we would be photography many of those same firefighters exhibiting those very same skills as they fought the conflagration that could have destroyed all of downtown Ontonagon. It was those very same skills and responses displayed in Houghton that saved Ontonagon.

There were five competitive race events

Five Firefighter Ladder Race:

At the signal from the starter all five racers will dress fully before crossing the starting line. Four racers will run to the ladder and advance it to the designated spot. Four racers must have a hand on the ladder before it can be advanced. Four racers will secure the ladder at a safe angle while the fifth racer will climb the ladder, touching every rung with a hand or foot. Time will end when the top rung has been touched.

5 Firefighter ladder race
1. West Iron
2. Crystal Falls
3. Skandia - West Branch
4. Champion
5. Calumet Township

Four Firefighter Hose Relay:

At the signal from the starter two racers will dress fully and each will pick up a 2 1/2" rolled hose from the designated spot and carry the hose 150' to a new designated spot. When the hose is placed in its designated spot the racer must touch his teammate who must then dress fully and carry the hose back to its original designated spot. The time will end when both hoses are returned to their original designated spots.

4 Firefighter Hose Relay
1. Champion
2. Scandia - West Branch
3. Crystal Falls
4. West Iron
5. Calumet Township

Five Firefighter Coupling Race:

At the signal from the starter all five racers will dress fully before crossing the starting line. Three lengths of hose will be laid out. A racer will connect a hose to the hydrant. A racer will connect hose lengths one and two. A racer will connect hose lengths two and three. A racer will connect the nozzle to the end of the third length of hose. A safety man is required to be at the nozzle with the nozzle man before water is coming out the nozzle. Time will end when the target is moved out of the circle.

5 Firefighter Coupling Race
1. West Iron
2. Crystal Falls
3. Skandia - West Branch
4. Champion
5. Calumet Township

Five Firefighter Interchange Race:

At the signal from the starter all five racers will dress fully before crossing the starting line. Three lengths of hose will be laid out with the fourth length of hose lying along side of the third length. A racer will connect the hose to the hydrant. A racer will connect hose lengths one and two. A racer will connect hose lengths two and three. A racer will connect the nozzle to the end of the third length of hose. A racer will be a safety man at the nozzle before water leaves the nozzle. The nozzle man must push the target out of the circle. At that time the hose be clamped off. Then hose lengths two and three must be disconnected, and length two attached to the fourth length of hose lying on the side of length three and the nozzle reattached to the end of length four. The nozzle man must move the second target out of the circle. A safety man is required to be at the nozzle with the nozzle man before water is coming out of the nozzle. Time will end when the second target is moved out of the circle.

Results Were Not Available

Mystery Race. ?????

The U.P. Association at 8 a.m. will approve rules of the Mystery Race. Rules of the Mystery Race will be revealed prior to the start of the Mystery Race.. This year was a bowling pin event.

Mystery Race Results
1. Skandia =- West Branch
2. Caspian -Gastra
3. Breitung Township
4. Crystal Falls
5. Chocolay Twn.

on hand at the races were several vendors. In addition to the usual food and craft vendors, there opportunities to purchased all sorts of fire fighting apperatus. From the smallest glass breaker to Jaws of Life of every description. If you a half million extra bucks in you pocket you could have gone home with a brand new shiney Pierce Fire Engine.

In addition to the races, Friday evening would be the Firefighters Ball. The music was performed by "Next Myle" Following the Ball, there was a raffle and the Awards Ceremony.

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