It was that time of the year again when we have to perform our annual pump tests on all our wagons. This has been spearheaded for many, many years by our water supply officer Keith Fairfax along with the assistance of Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute instructor Steve Wurtz. Now these two guys know their stuff so I would not want to compare one against the other. I do know that when you are working under their direction the job will be done right.

We took two Saturdays to do the test and our usual place was at Sanner's Sportsmen's Club located off of Great Mills Road. We certainly thank them for allowing us to come down and flow some water and disturb their fishing. I know that there will be some point in time where the old timers won't be able to do the pump tests and I assume that the department will have to contract that out to someone as we now do the hose and ladder testing but as long as Keith is able to walk and write the rest of us will help him out. It was so great this year to see plenty of young firefighters come down to lend a hand and it was also a good learning lesson for them as they move up in the department and want to try their hand at becoming a pump operator.

With all the help that we had we were able to do two wagons each day and while doing the test the instructors, Keith and Steve, learned a few things themselves. They were able to pass this on to all that were there. Now most of the time doing the testing it's hurry up and wait but our young members were very creative in finding something to pass the time such as fishing of course (caught nothing), climbing on the playground equipment, throwing pine cones into the spray of water to see who's would go the furthest. I had to laugh but it kept them from being bored for most of the day. Now the first Saturday was hot as h--- and we tried to stay in the shade and drink plenty of Gatorade. The last Saturday was nice and cloudy with rain throughout the morning. But we sure need the rain so no one seemed to mind too much. The whole operation takes about 4 hours and then it another hour to wrap up all the hose and stuff.

A big thanks go out to the following members: Deputy Chief 9 Mark Warren, Lieut. 3 Andy Waikart, Sgt. Ticson, Sgt. Yount, Sgt. White, and the following firefighters Rand, Culbert, Hunt, Johnston, Steen, Pense, McHone, Bush and for drivers we had Travis Bowes, Jimmy Barnes and Les Hansen. Now if I missed anybody on either of the days please let me know so I can add your name to the story. You deserve that much.
Now I took plenty of pictures because I was bored to so enjoy.