Annual Pumper Races

Klein Fire Department held its Annual Pumper Race on September 23, 2006 with this year’s motto being “When Seconds Count”. The Annual Iron Man Competition drew twentyfive members from the department that competed and put their skills to the test. The Iron Man Competition is an individual timed event that challenges each competitor to an obstacle course utilizing their fire fighting skills and determination. The 2006 competition was changed from previous years and included some new challenges for each participant to complete, which included pulling a 100 lb weighted box, dragging 200’ of 2 ½ fire hose, crawling across an attic simulator, driving a 10" nail into a railroad tie, relocating four 20" tires and ended with a 60’ drag of the 145 lb Rescue Rich. Robert Mitchell was awarded the Iron Man T-Shirt as the winner of the competition. Keith Fitzpatrick completed second place with a tie for 3rd place between Mike O'Hara and Joey Delaney. Each competitor in the Iron Man competition will be presented with a T-Shirt imprinted with “I survived Iron Man 2006” or “ I almost survived Iron Man 2006”. Congratulations to all that participated.

Team events were held next and each of the seven Klein stations had a chance to compete in six events, which included the shoot the chief, blindfold shoot, shoot out, fast attack, patient package and a bucket brigade. We kept the twist to the bucket brigade this year having one of the station members ride a Tricycle down the course and cross the finish line to complete the event. Boy we got some good photos at this part of the day ?? All of the events focus on safety, teamwork, having fun and even getting a little wet. Events are timed and points were awarded at the end of the day. Run off events are held for tied events when needed.

The weather was great in the morning - cloudy not to hot but the sun came out and heated the event up for the after noon. Lunch was provided during a break between events and allowed members to chill out and rest up for the afternoon team events. Thanks Linda for setting up the barbeque lunch.

The results of the event are not provided to the stations during the pumper races. The results and awards will be presented to the department during the Departments General Business Meeting on October 10, 2006. Awards are given for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in each event. The station with the most points overall is presented with the Chiefs award and 1st and 2nd place overall runners will be presented with a plaque.

This event allows our members, their families and friends to take a break and have some good clean fun!! The station members get to have some fun, team work and good clean competition between each other. You never know what might happen, a station might be doing well and then drop the hose, forget to make the connection or just can't knock down the cones. All seven stations had fun during the event and we only had one station that had to leave for a quick call. They returned in time to complete their turn of the event running. Several of the new Klein members “Recruits” did get dunked at the end of the day in the portable tank of water along with one of the timers. “Welcome To The Fire Department”

Special thanks to The Fellowship of Champions Church and Kids R Kids for allowing us to you their parking lots to hold the events. A “Thank You” goes out to all that work hard to plan the event and insured it went off without a hitch. We all look forward to the 2007 event.