SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PA – The Schuylkill Historical Fire Society held its annual muster at the Schuylkill County Fire Academy on Sunday, September 9. Participating apparatus started off the day with a parade from the Schuylkill Mall through Frackville and onto the training grounds. The parade entered the Academy by passing under an arch made by retired ladders from Tamaqua and Shenandoah.
Multiple engines then set up around the large pond that is on the training campus to begin their drafting operations. Over a dozen engines began to flow water and show off their apparatus to children and fire buffs alike. A group of judges meandered through the pieces and graded them on a variety of attributes such as best equipped, best appearing and fastest time to flow water.
The engines and other apparatus that weren’t showing off their pumping skills parked across from their counterparts and were displayed to all attendees. Those in attendance enjoyed looking at all of the apparatus and meeting old friends. Multiple organizations also had tables set up to sell memorabilia while the Historical Society had a garage set up as a small cafeteria on the East end of the campus.
After two hours of displaying the apparatus, those in attendance gathered at the Fallen Firefighters’ Monument for a memorial service. The service was conducted by the Reverend Fred Crawford. Thirty six firefighters who had died in the line of duty in Schuylkill County were honored during the service. Prayers were also said for all other firefighters who have passed away.
The festivities were concluded with the presentation of trophies to the best pieces of apparatus at the event. After trophies, a group picture was taken of all Hahn fire apparatus that was in attendance.
