Airmen combine for Fire Muster

Freedom New Mexico

In its 10th year, the annual Cannon Air Force Base Fire Muster held Oct. 10 attracted seven teams.

The events included:

• a firefighter obstacle course

• a three-person hose relay

• waterball

• filling a bucket as fast as possible in the bucket brigade

• pulling a 16-ton fire truck 50 feet

• raising a ladder and climbing it as fast as possible

• answering five fire prevention questions

The five-member teams received scores for each event and the winner received a traveling trophy.

The Explosive Ordinance Disposal team received first place.

Bruce Ford, assistant chief of fire prevention on base, said the event has been a tradition within the fire department for several years, but ended up having scheduling conflicts with the surrounding fire departments. To resolve the issue, the event was opened to any squadron on base who had a team that wished to participate.

“It’s good exposure to what the fire service does,” Ford said. “It allows them to practice basic skills firemen have to do.”

Ford also said the event is good for moral.

“It’s something they don’t do in their normal day,” he said. “Everyone is in it to have fun.”