August 2, 1989

Volunteer firefighters compete in hot, new games at fair rodeo

       County volunteer firefighters were spraying basketballs with their hoses instead of fires at the first annual Fireman’s Rodeo at the Johnson County Fair Tuesday night of fair week. Points were scored by completing various events that, simulated obstacles a firefighter faces, every day in the least amount of time. Some of the events included relays, such as racing up to hook up a series of fire hoses, and knocking a basketball off a pole. Another relay re-created a situation where a firefighter would have to save a baby from a burning house. Firefighters had to carry a carton of eggs over a steep ramp, under a crawl space, over a balance beam, and on a stretcher. Franklin won the rodeo with 36 points. Competition appeared to be fierce as the members of the different fire departments cheered for their teams, but the event also brought firefighters from different departments closer together through competition. “The event is promoting unity between the different departments in the county,” said Mike Beals, Greenwood volunteer fireman. Four other departments competed in the event. White River, which finished in second with 34 points, Greenwood (33), Bargersville (31), and Amity (26). “It went really well for the first year,” said Russell Hardin, member of the Franklin department and on of the coordinators of the event. “Next year we hope to iron out a few of the problems we had and have a few more people.”  (Reprinted with permission from the Daily Journal)
 
 

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