40th annual Fire Muster set in Monongahela

It will take place Aug. 17 at the Aquatorium.

For the past 40 years, the Tri State Antique Fire Engine Association has worked to preserve and celebrate the deep-rooted history and traditions of the fire service.

The 40th annual Fire Muster will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 17 at the Nobel J. Dick Aquatorium in Monongahela. It will offer an opportunity for firefighters and enthusiasts to directly engage with the community and showcase the rich history and traditions of firefighting.

A muster, or “fire muster,” is an event pertaining to fire/ rescue services. It is held in a central area such as a park and includes activities and competitions for firefighters and community members The Tri State Antique Fire Engine Association was chartered in 1985 as a chapter of The Society for the Preservation and Appreciation of Antique Motor Fire Apparatus in America.

It encompasses parts of Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia.

SPAAMFAA is a diverse organization of firefighting enthusiasts who share a passion for new and antique fire apparatus and the history and traditions of the fire service.

First established in Syracuse New York in 1958, the organization is still based primarily in the United States and Canada. It has grown to encompass 50 local chapters and boasts more than 2,400 members living around the globe.

The SPAAMFAA organization consists of individual local chapters and as an overall national/international organization.

Local chapters can be found in most major metropolitan areas and are the vanguard that provides face-to-face — and often hands-on — support and organizational resources for fire apparatus enthusiasts living and working in a given geographic area.

Most local chapters organize regular meetings and host special events, and their members are also often focused on documenting fire service and fire apparatus history on a local level.

Tom Fronzaglio is president of the local chapter and a firefighter/ engineer with Donora Volunteer Fire Company.

He has served in his role as president of the association for five years and helped to bring the regional event to Monongahela for the first time five years ago.

It’s more than a competition among service members, it’s an important opportunity for firefighters, retired firefighters, never-been firefighters and fire explorers to get together and celebrate something they love — the fire service.

The muster brings together firefighters, friends, family, photographers, collectors, historians and fire buffs for a day of all things fire where old and new fire apparatus are placed on display, so the public can examine them up close.

Anyone who owns an antique fire apparatus can register to compete against others in a dozen categories including best appearing pumper, best ladder truck, best rescue, ladies choice, judges’ choice and best ambulance.

Trophies this year were sponsored by 1st Out Specialty Vehicles & Equipment.

It costs $10 to register an apparatus for members of the association and $20 for those who are not members.

Registration of a truck includes one year of membership to the association.

The muster is open to the public and offers free admission.

It will kick off with the pledge of allegiance, singing of “The Star Spangled Banner” and a memorial service for firefighters who have passed away.

Throughout the day, pumping contests will provide a way for local departments to showcase skills and expertise in managing fluid flow, whether for achieving maximum flow rates (high GPM) or demonstrating precision and efficiency at lower flow rates (low GPM).

A display of beautifully restored antique fire trucks and equipment will showcase the evolution of firefighting technology from both antique and new apparatuses.

Fronzaglio hopes more departments decide to get involved with the competition this year, and he wants to see more people in the crowd as well.

This year there will be games for children, including a duck pond, adopt a puppy and pin the badge on the firefighter sponsored by P&R Animal Control based in Donora, along with a bean bag toss with prizes and face painting sponsored by LD’s House of Shaves in Monongahela.

A kids’ firefighter challenge will give young potential future firefighters an opportunity to put out a fake fire using a fire hose.

“We wanted to do some more things for the kids, and we thought if they were excited about coming their parents might get excited about it, too,” Fronzaglio said.

In addition, Lock 4 VFC will have its rescue dogs on site for a demonstration.

There will be a flea market, along with food provided by local fire companies and other vendors. Donora Fire Company’s Extreme Duty Grill will be cooking “famous” chops and hot sausage.

The Rob “Chief 63” Greenlee Memorial Fund will be selling hot dogs and burgers with proceeds helping fund a scholarship in his honor.

Wood-fired pizza will be served from a fire truck.

Proceeds from food and ticket sales go directly to support the local chapter.

“We have to pay for insurance for the muster, but most of the money goes toward our mission, which is to preserve and maintain the history,” Fronzaglio said. “We are just a nonprofit club that tries to keep the memory and the history of antique fire apparatus alive.

“The muster is just an incredible gathering of collectors, professionals, enthusiasts, firefighters and families to see the history and explore the heritage of the fire service by bringing like-minded individuals together across the tri-state area.

“A lot of older people who were members, or collectors, aren’t with us anymore so it’s important to start getting the younger generation interested and boost this to keep it going.”