June 3, 1994

White River unit wins competition

       The White River Fire Department was best with a hose, but Greenwood firefighters were faster on the obstacle course and auto extrication.  The two fire departments competed Saturday and Sunday at the White River Fire Department Strawberry Festival at Pleasant Grove Elementary School. Besides booths with games and refreshments, the departments faced off in firefighting competitions.  White River Township firefighter Josh Roberts led his team to victory in the water competition, angling a 150-foot hose to knock off a volleyball 50 feet away. Greenwood had held the traveling trophy since 1986. The Greenwood firefighters won the Firefighters Combat Challenge. Firefighters were timed on an obstacle course designed to simulate the physical requirements of an actual fire.  Firefighters individually carried a 50-foot section of hose up a 30-foot ladder, then hoisted another 50-foot hose onto the roof. They climbed down another ladder, then had to move a tractor tire lying sideways on the ground four feet with a sledgehammer.  The firefighters moved on to a 100-foot section of hose filled with water, which they had to drag 100 feet and then knock a tennis ball off a cone 50- feet away.  In the last part of the course, firefighters had to pick up a 160-pound person and carry them 50 feet.  Greenwood firefighter Patrick Krish posted the best time of 1 minute and 58 seconds.  Greenwood firefighters also were victorious on Sunday during the auto extrication contest.  Greenwood extricated victims from a wrecked car and administered first aid in 29 minutes and 33 seconds.  White River Township Chief Scott Cassin gave special recognition to the department’s Ladies Auxiliary and Greenwood Capt. Don Fouts for their work in planning and staging the weekend event. Assistant Chief Carey Slauter estimated that 3,000 people came to the two-day event.  (Reprinted with permission from the Daily Journal)

 

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