Saturday’s event highlight’s will draw
dozens of area fire companies
By:Audrey Levine
Firefighters are trained to protect their communities and the people around
them, and they spend their days ensuring the safety of others. But
sometimes, they like to show off a bit.
Hillsborough Fire Co. No. 1 will get this chance when it hosts Wet Down
2007, a competition for firefighters, at 10 a.m. Saturday at the fire
station in Flagtown.
Wet Down will feature fire companies from all over New Jersey, and some
from surrounding states, vying for prizes to prove their fire trucks are
better than others. From best appearing engine to furthest distance
traveled, the firefighters will enter their trucks in different categories
to be judged by the Somerset Fire Chiefs Association.
"We spend a good two weeks before cleaning the inside and out (for these
competitions), said Hillsborough fireman David Martinez.
According to Chief Sean Taylor, this is the first Wet Down Hillsborough has
hosted in about 20 years. He said the event usually coincides with a fire
station receiving a new truck.
"When you get a truck that someone else doesn’t have, they can get ideas,"
he said.
The competition is only the beginning of the day for Hillsborough Fire
Co. No. 1, which will then unveil its newest truck at the firehouse at
about 11 am.
"With the new construction of condos and (other high-rise buildings) in
Hillsborough, we had to adapt," Mr. Martinez said. "We have a committee to
figure out the needs of the community. That dictates what type of fire
trucks we need."
He said the station put in a request for a Quint, which is both an engine
and ladder truck. The apparatus provides five different functions, namely
pump, water tank, fire hose, aerial device and ground ladders. The truck
will also feature a compressed air foam system, which, according to Chief
Taylor, allows the water to travel farther and causes the hoses to weigh
less.
"Every 20 years, we have to change the oldest apparatus," Mr. Martinez
said. "It was time to move up."
Saturday’s unveiling ceremony for the Quint will also feature live music,
games for kids and a possible water fight after the other firefighters in
attendance hose down the new truck.
Chief Taylor said the competition will be dedicated to Capt. Frank A.
Fortuna Sr., a 96-year-old retired firefighter from Elizabeth, who was
supposed to be master of ceremonies, but passed away June 1.
"The best appearing overall apparatus award is dedicated to him," he said.
Although Hillsborough will not be entering the actual competition since it
will have just received its newest truck, it is no stranger to
participating, having recently won two awards for brush truck 36-152, an old
World War II design. According to Mr. Martinez, the truck won second place
for best appearing brush truck, and first place for the truck with the most
character in a Wet Down in Cassville in May.
"It is an old-time truck," he said. "It outperforms anyone in its class."
Overall, Chief Taylor said the event will be a great way to meet with other
firefighters and show off their own equipment.
"I think this new truck is the nicest we’ve had," he said. "But we will get
to see what equipment everyone works with all the time. It’s brotherhood."

