The Owego Fire Dept. Hose Teams placed first and second at the Central New York Firematic Hose Races Sunday in New York Mills, NY at the 113th Annual Central New York Firemen's convention. Teams presented their trophies and prize money, including the retired Overall Points Traveling Trophy, to past hose team member Mayor John Loftus at the Village's regularly scheduled board meeting Monday night.
Owego's Susquehanna Hose Company #1 won the overall points title winning first places in the ladder and straight lay hose competitions and a second in the wye. The team successfully defended its title from last year winning its third and final leg on the Overall Points Traveling Trophy. Three legs are required to retire the trophy. Since the inception of firematic hose races in the 1940's, this is second traveling trophy retired by Owego. Owego has won a total of twelve Central NY championships. Team members included J.T. Fisher, Patrick Gavin, Tim Gavin, Danny Gavin, and Lou Striley.
Firematic hose races are timed events where firefighters test their skills. Five member teams must connect nozzles to hoses, hoses to hoses, and hoses to the fire hydrant and knock down targets in the quickest time. Hose races improve basic firefighting skills. Teams have been practicing for the competition over the past month.
Owego's Croton Hose #3 recorded a first in the wye, second in the ladder, and third in straight lay competitions to finish second overall. Both teams have donated their prize money totaling $350 to the Owego Fire Department Training Tower Fund in memory of Fallen Owego Firefighter Steve Gavin. Gavin hose raced for Owego teams for 34 years prior to his passing at a lumber yard fire in the fall of 2003. The Susquehanna Hose Team #1 is expected to defend the overall point's trophy again next year at the Central races which are to be held in Oneida County next July.
