Ingersoll Celebrating 150th Anniversary of Fire and Emergency Services

Saturday, 10 August 2013 10:56

Over 100 local firefighters are suiting up as part of the Ingersoll Fire and Emergency Services 150th Anniversary Celebrations. The three day celebration, which got underway with a banquet last night will include an antique fire truck parade, fireworks and a breakfast. Presidents of the Firefighters Association Phil Atkinson says one of the highlights of the weekend is the firefit competition which is a free event for spectators. "Right now registration is around 100. There's team competitions where we will do relays of 4 guys, there will be ones where they're split up in to two and of course their are individual ones as well." "Firefit is basically the ultimate test of endurance for what we do on a fire scene. Competitiors will be dressed in their full gear, that's pants, boots, jacket, mask, air tank, ends up being about another 75 pounds added on to your regular weight. They call it the toughest two minutes in sport because if you can get under 2 minutes you're running a fantastic time." Atkinson says the competition consists of carrying a highrise hose pack up 5 flights of stairs, pull another roll of hose up the tower, run back down touching every stair, pick up a sledge hammer and pound a block 10 inches, do a jog around some fire hydrants and drag a 165 pound dummy 100 feet. Ingersoll Fire Chief John Holmes tells Heart FM today's festivities kick off with an antique firetruck parade at 10am starting at McBeth Dynes Funeral Home. "It starts at the corner of Anne and Thames Street and goes down Thames, down Charles and down past the arena." All of the remaining events are free except for a breakfast Sunday morning which is $8 for adults and $5 for children. The full list of remaining events include: Saturday, August 10th, 2013: ? Fire Truck parade and show starts at 10:00 am. ? ?FireFit Competition? 10:00 am - 5:00 pm at the Ingersoll District Memorial Arena (97 Mutual Street). ? Fireworks (viewing area in front of the Fire Station) starts at dusk. ? Pub Night 8:00 pm to 1:00 am at the Ingersoll District Memorial Arena (97 Mutual Street) featuring band: "Moovin' Groovin' & Verhoeven". Sunday, August 11th, 2013: ? Fireman's Brunch at Fire Station 9:00 am - 1:00 pm (Price: Kids $5, Adults $8). ? ?FireFit Competition? from 10:00 am ? 5:00 pm at the Ingersoll District Memorial Arena (97 Mutual Street).