| August 20, 2005: The LOFS Fire Force opened the doors of the new fire house #3500, today. Several supporters enjoyed a fire truck parade, cookout, and firefighter challenge.
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The day started out with firefighters from several local departments cleaning up their trucks for the fire truck parade.
Trucks from Union Township, Porter Township, Morgan Township, Hebron, St. John, South Haven, Valparaiso, Kouts, Lake County Hazmat, Crown Point, Ogden Dunes, and more displayed their best apparatus. |
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The Fire Truck Parade started at Station #3600 on Randolph street, continued through the Lakes of the Four Seasons, and ended at the new LOFS Fire Station #3500. Over 30 trucks and nearly 100 firefighters from around the region were in attendance.
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Following the Parade all the fire trucks were parked at Station #3500 for every to see. Departments displayed their finest apparatus and offered information and tours of their vehicles to all the spectators.
Winners of the Fire Truck Competition were:
Brush Truck: 1st place-Union Township-#1273 / 2nd place-Porter Township-#1370
Aerial Truck: 1st place-Union Township-#1121 |
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Engine: 1st place >10 years-Porter Township #3111 / 2nd place-Hebron-#1711 |
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Engine: 1st place <10 years-St. John #7 / 2nd place-South Haven
Antique Truck: 1st place-Porter Township #116 / 2nd place-Valpo #1
Rescue Truck: 1st place-Kouts #731 / 2nd place-Fire Services
Spec. Truck: 1st place-L.C. Hazmat #751 / 2nd place-P.C. Twsp Asst Chief #1302
Other Categories:
Better Late Than Never: Lake County Hazmat #751
Early Bird: Union Brush #1273 |
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Most Distance Traveled: Lowell #6611
Chief's Award: Porter Township Brush #1370
Committee Chair Award: Crown Point Fire #1512
One-of-a-Kind: Ogden Dunes Fire Brush/Waverunner
Best Overall Grand Champion: Morgan Township #3111 |
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Following the Parade the dedication began with the singing of our National Anthem by Amanda Fricke, Grand Daughter of our own Capt. Tony Waitkus.
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Lakes of the Four Seasons Fire Chief Michael Parks began by introducing and thanking those who made our new station possible.
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West Porter Township Trustee Bo Wichlinski speaks.
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State Representative Ralph Ayres (District 4 Indiana House of Representatives) addresses the crowd of supporters at the dedication. |
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IVFA District 2 Chairman Paul Watland and IVFA President Jack Kerney presented Chief Parks with a clock for the new fire house.
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The department thanked Gary Radtke for his hard work and dedication in making the idea of a new station a reality. |
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Here Chief Michael Parks and Assistant Chief's David Semplinski and Kevin Radtke cut the ceremonial ribbon officially opening the new fire station.
Several Trucks will operate out of the new station including an engine, tanker, brush truck, off-road fire suppression unit, special operations unit, dive rescue trailer, ambulance, rescue unit, rescue and recovery boat, water rescue units, and educational fire house.
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The day was filled with fun for the kids. Here, several kids compete to fill their buckets with water.
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Kids were allowed to get an up close look at the fire trucks. Future Firefighter AJ Pingel felt right at home with engine #3511, the same truck his daddy runs on. |
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The firefighter challenge began with an exercise in strength and endurance. A firefighter, dressed in full turnout gear and SCBA, is timed on how long it will take him or her to move a railroad tie 12" with a ten lb. sledgehammer.
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After successfully driving the tie 12 inches he then must drag a 160 lb. dummy 50 ft.
Event Winners:
1st Place Male: LOFS Firefighter Kurt Altpeter
2nd Place Male: LOFS Firefighter Lt. Jeremy Campbell
1st Place Female: Union Township Firefighter Jennifer Covington |
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The second challenge was the Firefighter Square event. A team of four firefighters must roll 4 - 50 foot sections of 2 1/2" hose in succession. Rolled hoses were judged on speed and quality of the roll.
Event Winner: LOFS Fire Force. |
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Challenge three included a contest of speed, knowledge, and accuracy. A team of four firefighters race against the clock to connect 3 sections of hose to an engine and TFT nozzle. Once connected the team must knock down a target 75' away with a straight stream. After knocking down the target the team must shut down the pump and add another section to the hose. Once connected a second target must be knocked down. After the second target is down the team must race back to the starting line.
Event Winner: Union Township Fire Department |
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The grand finale was the water ball challenge. Teams of four competed to push the water ball with a nozzle stream past their challengers, much like a game of tug-a-war.
Event Winners:
1st Place: LOFS Fire Force
2nd Place: Union Township Fire Department |
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The Ladies Auxiliary prepared hot dogs and corn-on-the-cob for everyone in attendance.
Special Thanks from Event Chairman Lt. Pat Savell to all the committee members, participants, the Auxiliary, and the public for making our day a great success. |
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