(Le Mars) — Ten different fire departments from ten communities competed Sunday
afternoon for bragging rights in the Le Mars annual Fire Department water fights.
The competition is friendly, and everyone has fun, but the water fights also serve
the purpose to help better the skills of the fire departments. The water fights
consisted of two major events. The first, is what is known as a Leader Line
competition. Two teams consisting of three individuals on each team must start
behind a line. When the whistle sounds, both teams race against each other
carrying a hose that needs to be attached. While one team member is attaching the
hose and turns on the water, the other two are weaving the hose and manevuering
through some obstacles, the second fire fighter makes certain the hose doesn’t
have any kinks that may prevent the water from flowing. The third fire fighter is
at the end of the hose with the nozzle and tries to shoot at a football that is
placed on a standard approximately two feet off the ground. The entire course is
about 50 yards in length. The team that is successful at attaching the hose and
winding through the obstacle course and knocks off the football first with the
stream of water is the declared winner. The teams compete against each other, and
against time.
The second event has a cable holding an empty keg barrel attached to some pullies,
and is above the ground by a distance of approximately 15 feet. The barrell is in
the middle as two teams of fire fighters attack from opposite ends. The team able
to shoot the water accurately at the barrel and have the barrell move to the
opponent’s end is the winner.
Storm Lake was able to capture the top honors in the Leader Line competition,
while in the water fights, Sioux Center finished first in the men’s category with
Milford having won second place honors. The Le Mars Fire Department finished in
4th position.
In the women’s category, Le Mars was able to finish in first and second place.
Nita Dreckman, Sandra Vanderloo and Lexi Dreckman were the women that brought home
the top trophies.
The fire departments that competed included: Le Mars, Orange City, Sioux Center,
Sheldon, Alta, Storm Lake, Early, Milford, Hull and Akron.
Sioux Center Fire Department won top honors in the Le Mars Annual Fire Department Water Fights and Milford placed second.
Le Mars Women Teams placed 1st and 2nd in the Women’s Category for the Le Mars Annual Fire Fighters Water Fight Competition. Featured from left to right: Sandra Vanderloo, Nita Dreckman, and Lexi Dreckman.
