You don't have to be a fire apparatus buff to enjoy the fourth annual Panhandle Pumpers Society Fire Muster set for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13 at Heritage Port along the scenic Ohio River in Wheeling
But it helps if you enjoy antique fire equipment, water games for kids, a sense of pride in the fire service and some all-around fun. The annual fire muster will bring antique and possibly some newer fire department pumper trucks to Heritage Port for a display of their drafting and pumping capabilities.
The Panhandle Pumpers Society Fire Muster, at 12th and Water streets, is free and open to the public.
Article Photos
A youngster takes aim at a simulated fire during last year’s
Panhandle Pumpers
Society Fire Muster which will be held again this
year on Sept. 13 at Wheeling’s Heritage Port. Fire pumpers are invited to show their
ability to draft water from the Ohio River as shown here. This year’s muster is geared for
all ages, with special
attractions for children.
Organizers of the event, including area fire apparatus buffs Don Baker, Rick Dunlevy and Tony Cook, agree that the muster is gaining popularity among firefighters and the general public. They also said it's a nice family event.
"They are things for the kids to do and they always love watching the trucks drafting from the river," Dunlevy commented.
As in past years, the muster will include a display of fire trucks and equipment and related vendors. The Wheeling Fire Department Honor Guard will begin the event with a flag-raising ceremony at 11 a.m. at the flagpole at Heritage Port.
The fire department's fire safety house will be on site to allow youngsters to learn fire safety firsthand. Also for the children will be some games to test their firefighting skills.
Dunlevy noted that they're never really sure exactly how many trucks will participate in the muster as "some just show up" and that's OK, too.
Last year saw at least three or four trucks from the Columbus, Ohio area in attendance.
Also last year, Jack Selvey, a retired firefighter from Gahanna, Ohio, brought an 1892 horse-drawn Ahren's Third Sized Steamer that once served the Wheeling area. He had it restored, completing the project in 1988. The truck, which weighs 5,000 pounds, could pump 600 gallons per minute. A bell served to warn people the truck was coming. It made a brief appearance in the movie ''Darrow,'' which was filmed in Pittsburgh. Many similar trucks were melted to produce supplies for fighting World War I.
It's fire apparatus like Selvey's that help tell the history of firefighting in this country, members said.
Currently there are 20 members of the Panhandle Pumpers Society who enjoy the art of refurbishing and maintaining antique fire equipment. Some members belong to area paid and volunteer departments while others are retired "collectors" of fire apparatus.
There is a $15 fee for each truck entered into the muster. All apparatus must register and have a current insurance card, UL10BC fire extinquisher and oil absorbent pads. Owners of the vehicles are responsible for any oil discharge cleanup.
West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin sent a letter to the Panhandle Pumpers Society members thanking them for their efforts in preserving the fire vehicles and for sponsoring the muster.
"I commend the Northern Panhandle chapter for their hard work and dedication... Firefighters are heroes and one of the most vital parts of any community, deserving of the utmost respect and appreciation. These trucks are an important part of their history and have aided these courageous men and women in saving many lives."