MARINE CORPS AIR STATION YUMA, Ariz. -- Marines with the station Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting will be competing in a fire muster 9 a.m. Oct. 8 at the Cocopah Casino.
A fire muster is an event where area fire departments get together to showcase their fire fighting equipment and to compete in different events that relate to firefighting.
“A fire muster is a way for firefighters from nearby areas to come together for a little friendly competition,” said Robby Rodriguez, public information assistant for the Somerton/Cocopah Fire Department. “It also helps build camaraderie among firefighters that don’t get to see each other often.”
Some of the events taking place at the fire muster Oct. 8 are the hose cart race, the make and break, the bucket brigade, barrel squirt and the truck pull.
“The events aren’t really things the firefighters deal with everyday,” said Rodriguez. “They are over-the-top versions of things that firefighters either, use now of have used in the past.”
“Fire musters are a lot of fun,” said Staff Sgt. Charles T. Dine, ARFF section leader and participant in the fire muster. “It’s all about positive interaction with the community and camaraderie between fellow fire departments.”
Competing firefighters in this year’s muster can enter for free.
“It’s a free entry this year,” said Rodriguez. “If firefighters entering, or anyone else, wishes to, they can make a donation. All donations go to either (Muscular Dystrophy Association) or the Arizona burn camp.”
The Arizona burn camp, called Camp Courage, is a place where children that have been seriously burned by fire can go and be themselves in groups that are non-judgmental, out going and friendly, according to Rodriguez.
“The kids attending the camp go to Prescott Ariz., and get to do many different activities while there,” said Rodriguez. “They go canoeing and repelling. Everyday is something new and exciting.”
“The burn camp is a great cause,” said Lance Cpl. Ronald W. Holder, a turret operator at ARFF, native of Pleasant Valley, N.Y., and participant in the fire muster. “It gives the kids a chance to be around other people with the same problems they are having.”
That sentiment was echoed throughout the ARFF department.
“In our line of work we see a lot of burns, and who wouldn’t want to help a cause as noble as this?” said Dine, a native of Yuma.
The event starts off at 9 a.m. with a Fire Apparatus Parade, followed by the competitions at 10 a.m. There will also be an awards ceremony and fire fighter appreciation night in the Cocopah Casino bar at 7 p.m. There will be trophies and plaques for the winning teams. There will also be drawings and giveaways for spectators to enjoy. With two teams from ARFF entering the muster this year the chances for success are looking pretty good, according to Dine.
“I am expecting victory, nothing less,” said a motivated Dine.
With determination and a little bit of luck Dine and his team hope to out do the other 14 teams competing and take home the trophy.