FRYEBURG – North Conway NH put together a consistent effort throughout the day to capture the 36th Firemen’s Muster at Fryeburg Fair this week.

The team from just across the border combined a second in the Rescue Drag along with a pair of thirds in the Dry and Wet Hose events to take home the overall championship among 17 teams competing, including a team from Rhode Island. They were presented with the Bob Butters trophy and will have their name engraved along with past winners.

Members of North Conway were Sam Henderson, Ryan Smith, Brandon James, Chief Pat Pierce, John Garcia, Kevin Hickey, Steve Chaputt, Bill Jaquith and Cpt. Mark Ewing.

Brownfield, which won both the Ladder and Rescue Drag events, won the Sportsmanship Award.

Fryeburg Fair began giving out the Butters trophy in 1995 in memory of the longtime Norway chief. Windham won the first trophy followed by North Conway, NH in 1996 and Waterford in 1997. Bowdoinham took overall honors in 1998 and Waterford won it the next five years.

In 2004, Kennebunk came away the winner. In 2005, Sumner won the event when Waterford failed to field a team but Waterford returned to victory in 2006 to earn its seventh win in nine years. Lovell captured the top prize in a close contest in 2007 and the hometown Fryeburg team won last year.

The muster leadership spans three generations. Corliss Watson shares the chairmanship with his son, Clyde, who is assisted by his grandson, Gabe.

FIREMEN'S MUSTER - FIRST SUNDAY OF THE FAIR

Fryeburg Fair Saco Valley Field Day Rules
Sponsored by the West Oxford Agricultural Society
EVENTS START AT 9 a.m. sharp
Registration must be completed by 8:30 a.m. Captains meeting at 8:45am

Point system
Points will be awarded to teams based on number of teams that attend.
Example: If 24 teams attend, first place would get 24 points, second place 23 points, etc., to last place would get one point.
Disqualification would be zero points.
No runoff for ties in individual events.
In case of an overall tie, the event will be determined by a draw.

NOTE - NO SPIKES OR CLEATS WILL BE ALLOWED

Judging
Judges will time each event and award penalties as they see fit. Judges will arbitrate any disagreement over interpretation of the rules. In such cases, the judges will check to see that the rules are obeyed and violators will be disqualified if judges determine such action is warranted. Spectator interference or a break in the hose will allow that team a second chance. Running order of the teams will be decided by a drawing. Each team will be allowed one false start.
Turn-Out Gear
Full turn-out gear is required for the Ball Squirt. This consists of COAT, PANTS, BOOTS, HELMET, EYE PROTECTION with SHIELD DOWN (gloves are optional).
Team Captains
Captains will meet with judges prior to 9 a.m. to go over rules and procedures. Captains are the only ones allowed to protest acts by another team and choose the starting position.

Fire Muster Event Rules

DRY HOSE will consist of all six (6) men starting 50 feet behind hydrant and ending when 10 feet ahead of nozzle. Three standard lengths of 2.5" hose. Coupling at truck should start on the ground. Couplings will be checked immediately after each turn by judge with tolerance of no more than ¼-turn from tight.
WET HOSE will consist of six (6) men starting 50 feet behind hydrant and ending when target is knocked down. Target to be 20 feet from END of nozzle. Three standard lengths of 2.5" hose charged 6lbs. before contest. All men must have ONE HAND on the hose until water is stopped or team will be disqualified. Water must pass through nozzle. Lay nozzle flat on the ground after the target is knocked over. Talking is allowed.
BALL SQUIRT will consist of six (6) men 10 feet apart ending when ball is pushed to one end or two minutes has elapsed. 1.5" hose to be charged to 70 lbs. PSI. Men to have full gear with eye protection required, shields down and gloves optional. Judges will determine distance of winning team after two minutes. Both lines fed from common supply. Team who directs hose water at opponents, not ball, will be disqualified. Hoses and nozzles to be provided. Nozzle not to be above shoulder.

MYSTERY EVENT OR EVENTS AS TIME ALLOWS

LADDER EVENT will consist of four (4) team members, will start 50' from pole, no gear, gloves optional, one team member must foot ladder and two team members will throw the ladder. The fourth man must hit the bottom rung or will be disqualified. Once at the top of the ladder, team member must ring bell and time will stop.

RESCUE DRAG will consist of five (5) team members wearing bunker pants, boots and helmet with gloves optional. Two members will drag the victim to the window, pass the victim through to two other members on the other side. They will drag the victim to one member standing at line marker who will take it across the finish line. All five team members must cross finish line.