From bucket brigades to now….

On the Fourth, the Friday Harbor Fire Department wants to celebrate! Here’s more from Nancy Tiederman:

Friday Harbor Fire Department Celebrates 100 Years of Service on July 4th

In July of 1909, the Friday Harbor Town Council approved the organization of a Fire Department and began service with the purchase of a hose cart and 600 feet of hose.  Buckets to hold 2-1/2 gallons of water were ordered for a bucket brigade.  Volunteer “boys” responded to a bell and lined up to pass buckets of water from the harbor up to ten brave souls to pour on flames.

On Monday evenings in 2009, volunteer firefighters train with aerial pumper apparatus that puts 1000 gallons of water per minute on a fire.  Today’s fire fighters wear special bunker gear and breathing apparatus and are trained to find the source, do interior attacks and learn when and how to use either water or fire suppressant foam.

During the July 4th Weekend, the town fire department will celebrate their 100 years of service to the community with several events.  On Friday, July 3, a dozen antique fire trucks will arrive (by ferry!) from Canada and the U.S.  Visitors and residents are invited to meet their crews at a spaghetti supper at the fire station.

These trucks will participate in the 4th of July Parade down Spring Street.  After the parade, everyone is invited to lunch at the fire station.  After lunch, come inspect the vehicles at the Antique Fire Apparatus-Car Show and watch fire fighter teams compete in such games as bucket brigades and hose lays.  Saturday evening a delicious Tri-Tip Barbeque Dinner will be served at the town’s Fire Station on West Street.  That evening volunteer crews for both the engines and the fire boat will stand ready to protect the town and the citizens during the usual spectacular fireworks.

On Sunday, the volunteers will host their traditional Pancake Breakfast with firefighters from District 3.  The final event will be Sunday afternoon at the Port with the Ceremony of Recognition of Fallen Firefighters, a cannon salute and official recognition of the Friday Harbor Volunteer Fire Department’s 100th Birthday.

Income from the meals and the sale of Centennial Memorabilia (hats, shirts, mugs, books, photos) will go to the Fire Fighters Association.

The volunteer fire fighters are your neighbors.  They are men and women.  They are boat captains, carpenters, port staff, city and county employees, EMT’s, administrators, dispatchers, and clerks.  Some are self-employed; some are retired.  They meet every Monday evening all year long to train and be prepared to keep our town safe.  Come support their celebration of 100 years of volunteer service with your presence and a thank-you.

For add’l information:     Chief Vern Long at 378-4183 or 622-6190
Ass’t. Chief Tom Eades at 317-8391
Support: Nancy Tiederman 370-5502

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