MOUNT CARMEL - In demonstrations of skill and speed, members of the Mount Carmel Borough Fire Department showed off their talents in a pumping contest Saturday afternoon.
As part of the annual Picnic in the Park celebration in the Town Park, crews from the Anthracite Steam Fire Company No. 1, Clover Hose Fire Company and American Hose Fire Company put on gear, got in their trucks and engaged in some friendly competition.
"There's some bragging rights here, but it's all in fun," said Jim Williams, contest organizer and competitor. "It's good practice to keep the guys sharp."
The contest was simple. Three members of a crew - engine driver, nozzle man and pumper - sit in three chairs. When the timer starts, the contestants put on their full safety gear and ride inside their fire engine, lights and sirens blaring.
After driving a short distance, the firefighters must disembark, roll out a hose, attach it to their engine and release the water, knocking off a bucket about 50 feet away from them.
"It's a timed event, but they have to be perfect because there are penalties," said contest judge Francis Sherman. "When they get into the truck, their seat belts must be put on and all safety equipment fastened. They have to have the wheels of the fire truck in the box, and the firefighter has to stand in the box completely, or it's a five-second penalty. If all three firefighters forget to put their seat belts on, that's 15 seconds."
In the end, it was the crew from the Anthracite Steam Fire Company that brought home the trophy, winning with a time of 2:04, despite a five-second penalty when the driver forgot to put down his face shield.
After the pumping contest, it was time for the water battle tug-of-war. Crews of two teams steady their fully-charged hoses on the opposite side of a metal barrel hanging in the air.
The water pushes the barrel to one side as the teams try to put the barrel behind the opposing team.
Rules are not as important in this water battle. Some teams turned the hose on their opponents in a desperation maneuver before being defeated.
It was an event that kicked off the third and final day of the annual Picnic in the Park, a block party held to raise funds for the Mount Carmel Volunteer Emergency Services Association.
Attendees enjoyed great entertainment, good food and a fireworks show at 10 p.m. The fireworks were sponsored by the Clover Hose Fire Company and supported by donations from the public.