The day started overcast and turned to rain ~2:15 PM. The rain let up by 2:45 but remained overcast. While this kept people away, or made them leave, we had a good turnout of over 200 people!! Everyone enjoyed themselves and learned something. We received a lot of comments on the "museum" set up in the Blue Room. Aside from the usual "checking out" the trucks, police cars, ambulances, trying on real fire gear, watching a car get cut up, and spraying hoses, we also had an obstacle course. This was set up to be a, down sized, version of what we would set up to test our firefighter skills. The people doing the course had to get on bunker gear (firefighter gear), crawl through a tunnel (as if they we going into a house with fallen walls, etc.), hammer a large block of wood across a platform (as if they were swinging an axe), drag a 20-25lb dummy (we do the same, just use a 185lb dummy), crawl through a wall (just as we would have to do if someone was trapped. some of the kids wore an airpack, same as we would, and had trouble, as as we do, with the airpack getting caught), then they had to grab a hose pack (we use bigger hose packs that aren't taped together but the same idea), run across to a "charged" hose line, drop the hose pack, pick up the "charged" hose line, operate the nozzle, and spray the burning house! This was a BIG hit with the kids!!

  We also did side by side "house" burns. One was put out by a bucket brigade and the other by a water/foam truck. We made the mistake of letting the bucket brigade have their buckets filled and start putting on the fire before the water/foam truck arrived. This gave the bucket brigade an advantage of less fire spread and starting sooner. Once the water/foam truck charged their lines and "hit" the fire, it went out REAL fast. If you were paying attention you could see that the water/foam truck did put it out faster. We will make the bucket brigade arrive and start filling same as the truck next time!! In "olden days" it took time for the bucket brigade arrive and they didn't have a water supply ready and buckets filled!

  In addition to the Ridge Fire Company we also had Goodwill and West End Ambulances, police from E. Vincent and E. Coventry, trucks from Kimberton and NORCO Fire Companies. These two fire companies are mutual assist companies. NORCO Fire Company was there on "stand by" to take care of any emergencies that might occur, freeing us to continue our event. During our 4th Annual Community Day we had a call for a Barn Fire that lasted about 12 hours!! Fire Police from Kimberton, NORCO and Linfield Fire Companies came and assisted with traffic control and parking.

  There was food donated by Belfor USA Property Restoration and drinks by WAWA of Spring City, Store No 258, 3380 Schuykill Road.

  As always "Sparky the Fire Dog" was a big hit with the kids!!