The right stuff

GOSHEN — Local fire departments got to show off their skills at a hose-laying contest hosted by the Goshen Fire Department Sunday to kick off its triennial “Parade Week” festivities. Both Warwick and Florida emerged victorious in a contest that included departments from Campbell Hall, Bloomingburg, Chester and New Hampton. Goshen ran the contest but did not compete. The departments who succeeded in their set tasks in the least amount of time won the day. Before the start of the dry hose contest, three lengths of hose were rolled out and hooked together. After a running start, the firefighters had to unhook the three sections, roll them up neatly, run back to a wooden ribbed box, and insert the rolls into the box. The details of the wet hose contest were kept a secret until just before the contest started. Firefighters started by throwing on all their gear in a hurry, including boots, hat, and gloves. They then had to lay out three lengths of hose, hook one end to a fire hydrant, and turn on the water, directing the stream so that it knocked off cans placed on two drums placed at a distance.