Hot time planned for state firefighters’ convention in Presque Isle

PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Visitors and residents of the Star City in town the weekend of Sept. 10-12 shouldn’t be alarmed if they see a multitude of firefighters over the three-day period. It’s actually a time of celebration as members of various departments from Maine and parts of New Brunswick converge on the city to take part in the 47th annual Maine State Federation of Firefighters Convention.
“Most of the firefighters participating statewide will arrive on Friday, registering with us (Presque Isle Fire Department, host of this year’s event). That evening the Federation meeting takes place at the Presque Isle Inn and Convention Center,” said Grant Spinney, event coordinator and member of the PIFD.
Festivities continue across town, with a concert scheduled at the fairgrounds.
“Helping to coordinate will be members of the local C.A.N.C.E.R. group who’ll be putting on the Ed Nickerson Memorial Concert with Debbie Myers in front of the grandstand, in coordination with our event. The Northern Maine Fair Association is donating electricity for the show,” said Spinney, noting Nickerson’s many years of service to the NMFA and the community was cut short when he lost his battle with cancer earlier this year.
Vendors will also have booths set up at the fairgrounds and will be selling food and other merchandise throughout the weekend.
“We’ll have 83 booths set up at the Exhibition Building featuring vendors from all over New England, with about 60 percent fire-related. Vendors will be open throughout the concert,” he said.
On Saturday, line up begins at the University of Maine at Presque Isle at 7 a.m., with the parade starting at 9:30 a.m.
“Randolph Mantooth — Johnny Gage from TV’s “Emergency” — will be our grand marshal. We have 42 fire departments from south of Aroostook County registered,” said Spinney.
Spinney said while the parade will lead off with firefighters, it’s not limited to department members.
“Anyone interested in being in the parade can contact Adam Rider at the PIFD, 769-0881. We welcome civic organizations, politicians, businesses, pageant queens — all are welcome to take part,” he said.
The parade will head north from UMPI, with sirens and other parade noises allowed for the first leg of the route.
“Noise will be allowed until the parade reaches the quiet zone — Chapman Road to the intersection of State and Main streets. At the intersection, the Presque Isle and Limestone fire departments will use their ladder trucks to drape a large flag over the parade route, with participants passing beneath it as they continue north on Main Street,” said Spinney.
Emceeing the event from in front of the Northeastland Hotel will be Sharon Rose, of Channel 2 News in Portland.
Once the parade reaches Park Street, participants will turn left, crossing the bridge and continuing on to Parsons Street.
“They’ll turn left onto Parsons, cross the five-way intersection, then on to Mechanic Street, with the final destination being the Forum parking lot,” said Spinney, adding tickets are being sold for $1 each, with the winner getting to ride in Big Red during the parade. “Big Red is the world’s largest monster truck — rebuilt from an old fire truck.”
Tickets are also being sold for $10 each for rides in Big Red around the fairground racetrack.
“Gorham’s Shaw Brothers Construction owns the truck and uses it to raise funds for Camp Sunshine. NAPA and Gagnon’s Auto are sponsors,” he said.
Following the parade, vendors at the Exhibition Building will perform demonstrations of various products and educational firefighting information will also be available.
“We’ll also have a truck with a mock car with a propane tank to demonstrate how firefighters tackle real car fires,” Spinney said. “There’ll be six fire truck companies bringing demo models. Some of these companies have already worked with communities like Washburn and Mars Hill, with those towns purchasing their new units from them.”
Demonstrations will include cars being cut up by a company that sells hydraulic extrication tools to fire departments across the nation.
“Advantage Gas & Tools will do something similar, only they’ll use conventional tools like a Sawsall to cut up a car,” he said.
Spinney said some demonstrations will be strictly for observation, while others will serve as training for interested firefighters.
Saturday’s activities will take on a bit of a somber note, as the day will mark the 10th anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and Pentagon in Washington, D.C.
“We’re planning a memorial at 2 p.m. on Sept. 11. We’ve been in contact with Governor Baldacci’s office and are hoping he’ll be able to attend. We have also invited Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins and Congressman Mike Michaud. On behalf of the Maine Federation, the Ellsworth Fire Department will be bringing a replica of the Augusta memorial,” said Spinney.
According to Spinney, the Federation president will speak on behalf of board members and a list of Maine firefighters who’ve died over the last year will be read.
“After the parade, Randy (Mantooth) will hold an autograph session in the Forestry Building at the fairgrounds. Memorabilia from the show will also be on sale,” he said.
A social hour and banquet will be held on Saturday at the Presque Isle Inn and Convention Center. This event is restricted to firefighters and their guests.
“That evening, comedian Bob Marley will put on a show at the Forum, beginning at 8:30 p.m. that’s open to the public,” said Spinney.
On Sunday, Sept. 12, vendors will once again be offering their wares from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“At 8 a.m., the Chiefs’ Breakfast with VIP vendors will take place at the Presque Isle Inn. At 9:30 a.m., participants of the muster will gather for a meeting in front of the Exhibition Hall. The muster starts immediately after the meeting,” he said.
Bleachers will be set up for spectators to watch the fun as firefighters compete to see which department takes top honors.
“We’ll have four events: wet- and dry-line hookups; a water ball (which is normally only used for the state firefighter competition) — that’s where we have a ball on a line and each team shoots at the ball, kind of like a tug-of-war that leaves each side soaking wet; and we’ll have a secret event — something the hosting department comes up with for the challenge,” said Spinney.
After the muster, Spinney said a lot of the participants will hit the road, making the journey back to their respective departments. But the fun will continue, with the final event of the weekend hosted by the Presque Isle Kiwanis Club.