The City of Huntsville made a major move toward modernization in 1925, providing for a better funded and more professional fire department. This past weekend, the City of Huntsville celebrated that progress, with a community-wide birthday party for the Huntsville Fire Department.
The all-day event, which lasted from 10am-4pm, opened with a prayer…
…posting of colors…
…and the playing of bagpipes.
Following this solemn opening was a day of community camaraderie, exploration, some fun, some eye-raising demonstrations, and a trip back in time.
Fire Departments and emergency services departments from surrounding communities were on hand to add to the educational breadth of the event, while also offering a type of “community policing” from the fire departments.
The Trinity Fire Department brought out trucks from 1949, 1939, and 1915–the earliest of the fire vehicles on display.
The Huntsville Fire Department offered a number of hands-on activities for children. There was a three-man hose relay…
…which rarely resulted in the successful conveyance of water.
There was also an obstacle course, which involved climbing, hauling. and running.
What child wouldn’t have fun? There were even trophies for the winners.
There was a surplus of SWAT-like trucks; and the Montgomery County Bomb Squad brought two robots, one of which almost attacked Macey–briefly getting our hopes up of a Macey-free Huntsville.
Car-entry techniques were also on display, with firemen illuminating the process for entering a vehicle and extricating trapped passengers.
And the Huntsville Fire Department also did burn demonstrations, illuminating the manner in which fire personnel approach fire suppression.
Topping off the event, at least for us, was the sense of history and community. Chief Mathis was there, as was Chief Grisham and former assistant Chief John Hobbs, highlighting a line of service dating back to the 1970s.
Mac and Leanne Woodward were there; as were John and (County Clerk) Kari French, County Judge Colt Christian, and Councilmembers McKenzie, Lyle, Denman, and Antwine.
Tracy Rikard was there as part of the planning committee, helping things run smoothly.
And we were there to soak in the event, learning more about the community, its history, and having an enjoyable day with the people who make Huntsville such a pleasant community in which to live.
Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics 