2018 Driving Contest Winners

1st Place     Alvin Fail               Cameron FD           2:20.03
2nd Place    Jason January       Huntsville FD           2:20.13
3rd Place    Cody Neutzler        Brenham FD            2:24.47

Driving Contest

Guidelines

1. Contestants must be registered for convention.
2. Contestants must have a valid driver’s license.
3. No contestant will be allowed in the truck before the contest begins.
4. Contestants must be present at the driving course by 7:15 a.m.; entrance to the truck driving contest will end at 7:30 a.m.
5. Contestants will be disqualified when any three wheels of the apparatus leave the course at the same time (duals count as two).
6. Contestants will be penalized five seconds for each time a pylon or barrel is touched. This will be added to the overall time.
7. In case of a tie, a rerun will only be done in the first three places.
8. Decision of the judges is final.
9. This is an equal opportunity contest.
10. At the time that you register for the contest, you will draw for the position in which you will drive in the contest.
11. This will be a timed event.
12. Only one driver per town or industry.
13. No one will be permitted to enter the contest after 7:30 a.m. on the date of the contest.
14. Only one occupant per vehicle.
15. Failure to complete course will result in disqualification.
16. Sliding or squealing the truck tires anywhere on the course will result in disqualification.

Rules

1. Contestants will not be allowed to consume alcoholic beverages before or during the contest.
2. The contestant will be required to wear the seat belts at all times.
3. The contestant is required to handle his/her vehicle in a safe manner and to maintain a normal driving position on the field test course.
4. At the starting line, each contestant shall be given a reasonable amount of time and such assistance as he/she may require to satisfactorily adjust his/her seat and mirrors and get comfortable.
5. The rules and the field course may be subject to change due to the host city facility.

Field Course

1. Offset Alley

Objective: To test the driver's abilities to steer, judge distances at all points on the vehicle, and to properly control speed while maneuvering in a continuous forward motion through the confined space simulating the avoidance of parked vehicles or maneuvering through narrow alleys.

Standard Operating Procedure: Driver is required to move through one set of traffic cones, turn right or left, and proceed through a second set of traffic cones without touching any of the cones comprising the problem.

Problem Dimension: width between traffic cones in each set is 11 feet, distance between each set is 24 feet

2. Loading Dock

Objective: To test the driver's ability to back his/her vehicle into a narrow space and stop with the rear of the vehicle within a specific distance of the back limits of the space.

Standard Operating Procedure: The driver is required to drive forward past the opening of the simulated dock, position the vehicle and then back into the dock, stopping with the rear of the unit within 24 inches of the door. After completing the stop, proceed to the next object (serpentine).

You must stop within the line of 0 to 24 inches for a valid score. Anything out of the 24-inch line will count as a five-second penalty on your overall time.

3. Controlled Cornering (New 2003 Driving Contest)

Objective: To test the driver’s ability to maneuver the vehicle in a controlled manner through a sharp corner.

Standard Operating Procedure: Driver is required to move through a set of traffic cones placed in a continuous corner without touching any of the cones comprising the problem.

Problem Dimension: 14 cones, width between cones is 11 feet

4. The Serpentine

Objective: To test the driver’s ability to maneuver the vehicle in and out of tight places in both forward and backward movement.

Standard Operating Procedure: The driver is required to drive in a figure 8 pattern around a line of obstacles. He/she is required to maintain a continuous movement forward and backward with the only authorized stops being those required to change direction to complete negotiation of the problem.

Problem Dimension: three barrels in a straight line, 32 feet apart (from center to center)

5. The Stop Line

Objective: To test the driver’s ability to judge the position of his/her front bumper with respect to a fixed line.

Standard Operating Procedure: The driver is required to approach the line moving forward and maintaining a normal driving position. Only one stop is allowed, and once stopped, a measurement will be taken. The front bumper of the unit shall be within 24 inches of the required stopping line. There will be no score if the contestant moves his/her vehicle forward or backward after making a stop at approach or at the stop line.

Stop Line: You must stop within the line of 0 to 24 inches for a valid score. Anything out of the 24-inch line will count as a five-second penalty on your overall time.

2018 Firefighter of the Year
Chief Steven Loving, Ingleside VFD

2018 EMS Responder of the Year
Terry Hanks, Friberg-Cooper VFD

Submission deadline - May  2019

Firefighter of the Year and EMS Provider of the Year Guidelines

2019 Photo Contest Entry Form

2018 Photo Contest Winners 

Photo Contest

Anyone may enter the contest with the exception of professional photographers; there is no minimum age requirement. If you were in the right place in time to capture that special moment, we encourage you to enter the contest.

All photos submitted will be exhibited at the SFFMA Annual Training Conference and Convention. Some of the winning photographs will also be published in the Texas Firemen magazine and InfoFire newsletter throughout the year.

Contest Rules

1. Department membership is not required. (Professional photographers are not allowed to submit entries.)
2. Photos must be 8” X 10”, color or black and white, unmatted, ALL OTHERS WILL BE DISQUALIFIED. Prints should be mailed directly to the SFFMA office.
3. A digital file of each print in JPG format must also be submitted. These files may be written to disk, or sent as attachments to email. The digital files should be of sufficient size to allow for reproduction without noticeable loss in resolution.
4. You must fill out the photo contest entry form and attach it to the back of EACH photo submitted. Make as many copies of the entry form as needed.
5. ONLY three photos PER CATEGORY may be entered. (If more than three per category are submitted, the first three will be considered, all others will be disqualified.)
6. Entries (printed copies) become the property of Texas Firemen magazine and the State Firefighters’ & Fire Marshals’ Association of Texas, and may be displayed by SFFMA at fire service events.
7. A "Best of Show" plaque will be awarded to the highest scoring photograph. Additionally, first and second place plaques will be given in each category based on creative composition, visual appeal, originality, and good firefighting or EMS practices and techniques.

** Entries MUST be received by SFFMA staff by close of business on the published deadline date. A “complete” entry includes the 8”X10” print, digital file, Photo Contest entry form and a brief description of the photo.

Categories

1. Fire-Related Acts, any variety; must be real-life incident
2. Lifesaving Acts, any variety; must be real-life incident
3. Education and Public Safety; any staged fires such as at fire training schools and anything relating to public safety (presentations at schools, staged disaster drills, etc.)

2018 Fire Prevention Poster Contest

The poster contest had 9 districts entered.

1. Kindergarten Division: grades Pre-K, K - 21 posters
2. Primary Division: grades 1, 2 - 21 posters
3. Intermediate Division: grades 3, 4 - 24 posters
4. Middle Division: grades 5, 6 - 22 posters
5. Junior High Division: grades 7, 8 - 17 posters
6. High School Division: grades 9, 10, 11, 12 - 16 posters

For a total of 121 posters.

2018 Poster contest winners

As revised by committee, February 2018

Rules and Instructions

This contest is open to all students in grades Pre-K through 12, enrolled in any school (public, private, parochial, etc.) or homeschoolers.

The following grades will fall into six divisions:

1. Kindergarten Division: grades Pre-K, K
2. Primary Division: grades 1, 2
3. Intermediate Division: grades 3, 4
4. Middle Division: grades 5, 6
5. Junior High Division: grades 7, 8
6. High School Division: grades 9, 10, 11, 12

The poster must be original and may be on any phase of fire prevention and/or fire safety. Only individual work by the student and one entry per student will be accepted. Posters must conform to the following description, size of poster: 14" x 22"

Kind: Any art medium including paintings, cut-outs, pen and ink, crayons, chalks, pencils, computer graphics, but limited to these requirements:

No objects over one-half inch in height are to be placed on the poster.

No live matches may be used on the poster.

No glass may be used in the poster.

The following information must be placed in a sealed envelope attached to the back of the poster. Inside the envelope on a card or piece of paper, please insert:

1. Name of student
2. Name of school
3. Address of school
4. Grade of student
5. Name of fire department
6. Name of district association
7. On front of envelope: division only

All posters must contain full information and conform to size to avoid disqualification.

General Information

All fire departments and/or fire marshal’s offices that are active in the Fire Prevention Poster Contest and are members of the different district associations and the state association may send their winning posters with their fire marshal or representative to the district contest.

Each district may select three posters only from each division and send them to the state contest. (District representative: it is your responsibility to see that all posters entered from your district conform to all of the state rules.)

Posters must be submitted to the State Firefighters' and Fire Marshals’ Association Fire Prevention Poster committee at the host city before 4 p.m., Saturday of convention week.

Poster committee will have a booth at the exhibit hall for all posters to be submitted.

First, second and third place trophies will be given in each division. Three, five or seven judges will be selected by the State Firefighters' and Fire Marshals’ Association Fire Prevention Poster committee.

The decision of the judges will be announced at the convention. The decision of the judges is final.

All posters will become the property of the State Firefighters' and Fire Marshals’ Association to be exhibited at the state contest. Winning posters will displayed for one year at the State Firemen's and Fire Marshals' Association of Texas - PO Box 1709 Manchaca, Texas 78652-1709.

It is the district’s responsibility to pick up the last year’s winners from the chairman or his representative.

It shall be the responsibility of the chairman to:

Secure trophies for first, second and third place in each division. Trophies will be presented to the district representative for presentation to the winner. Ribbons will be provided for each place and attached to the posters.

The cost of the trophies and the ribbons shall be paid for by the State Firefighters' and Fire Marshals’ Association.

Any prize money that is awarded to any poster contestant will be awarded by that company and/or group and will not involve the State Firefighters' and Fire Marshals’ Association.

All departments and/or districts who have posters in the state contest must pick them up Tuesday after the awards banquet. Any poster not picked up at awards banquet will be disposed of that night.

2018 Pumper Race Winners

3-Men Race

1st Place        Central Texas - 14.39
2nd Place      Rockdale - 14.81
3rd Place       Brenham - 15.19

Total 5 teams

6-Men Race

1st Place        Panhandle District - 24.9
2nd Place      Central Texas District - 25.62
3rd Place     Gulf Coast - NT

Contest Rules for Six-Man Pumper Drill

The president shall appoint the chairman and co-chairman, judges, timekeepers, and starter. There shall be three judges, three timekeepers and one starter. The chairman shall have charge of the drawing for places, getting of equipment, and spotting of truck at the hydrant. The chairman of the contest shall not keep time, but must accept the time given him by the timekeepers. All judges and timekeepers shall be entitled to a vote on any questions that may arise. The chairman shall not vote except in the case of a tie. The racing chairman shall be empowered to replace any committeeman incompetent to perform his duties. The judges shall be three in number: one at the rear of the pumper and one on each side of the pumper. The three timekeepers shall position themselves as near as possible to the 100-foot line painted on the street. Any team trying to win by fraud, deception or foul play, or in any dishonorable or ungentlemanly way, or any team that shall disobey, infringe upon, or evade any of the requirements of these rules and regulations before or during the contest shall be barred from competing in that race, leaving the judges to decide on the matter.

The chairman shall take up all complaints of the contest with the judges, and their findings shall be final. All complaints must be made immediately following a team’s run. At the state convention, the racing team chairman shall be in charge.

Any team captain or team member who violates these rules automatically disqualifies the team for that particular meet. Sufficient room for the competing teams to operate in during their race shall be maintained by the judge during the race. At the end of the races, the data shall be assembled by the secretary and after the results have been announced, the official copy shall be filed as part of the regular minutes of the meeting.

Firemen's Pumper Drill

The working order of the drill shall be as follows: pumper to be set at hydrant, motor silent, hydrant wrench in the seat on the floorboard, wrench will be allowed to extend out of the cab as each team sees fit as it will not fall off (in cab-forward design trucks, judges may designate wrench in a more appropriate position), doors open, hard suction in its regular position if at all possible, unlocked with swivel at either end as team captain desires. After drill has started, position of pumper cannot be changed. After truck is set, a white line 6 inches wide and 10 feet long shall be painted on the street 100 feet from the tailboard of the truck.

The same nozzle and nonadjustable hydrant wrench shall be used by all teams, and these shall be furnished by the host city or the state association. Enough 2 1/2-inch hoses shall be provided so that no sections shall have to be used more than five times during the race. It shall be the duty of the judges to check all couplings to see that they shall be the same for all teams. The judges shall see that all hoses have water run through immediately prior to the start of the race. All connections shall be checked by the judges to see that all are the same for all teams before each team runs, and all caps shall be on the plug, the hard suction intake, and the discharge, and shall be set by the judges prior to each run. No team member of any competing team shall make any connection at any position before their team runs. If any doubt arises regarding any coupling or threads, the judges shall try that coupling to the team’s satisfaction and to see that it will operate efficiently.

The number of men in the drill team shall not exceed six, or more than one at any position on the truck. Position of men at starting signal shall be as follows: two men on seat of pumper, sitting in natural position, facing forward; one man on each side of truck, on running board forward of the hard suction intake, facing truck; and two men on rear platform, body erect, toes forward and, if possible, feet entirely on the running boards. Both men on the side running boards and men on the rear platform may have their heels hanging off of the running board in case of the running board being too narrow for the feet to be accommodated, provided the toes shall touch the body of the truck. Men must remain in this position, hands extended overhead, until starting signal is given. After signal is given, the men may work as they choose to accomplish the following: connect hard suction hose to hydrant and to pump. Pull continuously 100 feet of 2 1/2-inch hose from the hose bed and in an approximate straight line to a point where the coupling at end of said 100-foot hose clears the hose bed (not the rear platform), take play pipe nozzle from rear platform of truck and connect to end of hose. Connect other end of hose to pumper, open valve on hydrant and truck, and allow water to flow until a stream emerges from the nozzle. Hose may be extended to its full length as long as the nozzle is behind the 100-foot marker on the street when the water comes through it. Hose may be loaded as the team desires, but must come out of the hose bed in an approximately straight line. No skid, twist or other loads on the third section of the hose that will permit hose to come out in any other manner than a straight line shall be allowed.

After all of the hose has been loaded into the hose bed, the judge shall ask the team captain of the team on the truck if his hose is loaded and ready for inspection. The judge shall set the coupling to be broken in the race after the competing team completes its loading, immediately before the team runs. This coupling shall be set the same for each team. Nobody, except those pulling the hose, shall grab the hose until the coupling at the 100-foot section clears the hose bed (not rear platform). Teams do not have to touch the 100-foot mark on the street, but must pull off 100 feet of the hose. The first pullman off the rear platform shall be the only man to reach into the hose bed.

The time of the contest shall be judged from the time that the starting signal is given until a continuous flow (not a surge or spurt) of water passes from the nozzle over the line 100 feet from the rear of the truck. Timekeepers shall clock the time when a continuous stream of water passes over the 100-foot mark. Any team that has a blow-off of the nozzle or at any connection before time is clocked at the 100-foot line shall be given a “no-time” by the judge. All connections must be screwed on in such a manner that they will remain in place without being held on until time is clocked by the timekeepers. Only the team member at the nozzle may be touching the hose with his hands, and only the person at the hydrant may still be turning the hydrant on.

Any team deliberately aiming or tossing hard suction in the eyes of the judge shall be disqualified.

After a team has established a valid time (or received a valid no-time) it shall not be permitted to rerun in the event if the equipment shall become inoperative, replaced or relocated. All teams with valid time or valid no-time shall retain their established times and shall be eligible for all prizes. No team shall be given a second chance to run unless a defect in equipment occurs while said team is running. In such an event, this team shall be allowed to rerun.

Any conditions that may arise that are not covered by these rules shall be governed by the Racing Committee and one representative of each competing team before races start. After races start, any conditions that arise shall be governed by a ruling of the judges only.

The chairman of the subcommittee may be authorized to employ four men to assist in handling hose and equipment during races. The host city shall not be allowed to enter the contest for prize money. Host team at the state convention will be allowed to compete for a trophy. Also, the host city shall run first. Only one team from each city can enter the contest at the state convention. Each district may enter one team at the state convention. No racing team or city shall use the host city’s pumper to practice or drill on within a period of three months prior to the convention date. If pumper races are held at night, all positions shall be well lit (both sides of truck, plug, rear of truck, and hose running area).

The same starting cadence shall be used for every contest - timekeepers ready, judges ready, team ready, hands in air, get set, go (or shoot gun). A set of racing rules shall be given to each judge prior to the races and shall remain in his possession until after completion of the races. He shall study and fully familiarize himself with these rules before the races start. After the races, he shall return the rules to the pumper races chairman.

To be eligible, all team members of competing teams must be active or retired members of an organized fire department that has paid its state dues, and is in good standing with the state association. All team members must be registered and can participate on only one six-man team at any convention. Departments may combine members to make one team, but the name of the team must be designated at the time of registration. Combination teams will only represent one department or district. The cost of all convention badges, trophies given, or prizes, including pumper races awards, shall be deducted from the total convention entertainment fee derived from convention registration fees paid by delegates and visitors, and shall never be paid out of funds collected for annual dues.

Contest Rules for Three-Man Pumper Drill

The president shall appoint the chairman and co-chairman, judges, timekeepers, and starter. There shall be three judges, three timekeepers and one starter. The chairman shall have charge of the drawing for places, getting of equipment, and spotting of truck at hydrant. The chairman of the contest shall not keep time, but must accept the time given by the timekeepers. All judges and timekeepers shall be entitled to a vote on any questions that may arise. The chairman shall not vote except in the case of a tie. The racing chairman shall be empowered to replace any committeeman incompetent to perform his duties.

The judges shall be three in number: one at the discharge of the pumper, one at the center coupling set, and one at the nozzle. Three timekeepers shall position themselves as near as possible to the 100-foot line painted on the street. Any team trying to win by fraud, deception, foul play or in any dishonorable or ungentlemanly way, or that shall disobey, infringe upon, or evade any of the requirements of these rules and regulations before or during the contest shall be barred from competing in that race; the judges are to decide on the matter.

The chairman shall take up all complaints of the contest with the judges and their findings shall be final. All complaints must be made immediately following a team’s run, by a racing team captain. Any team captain or team member who violates these rules automatically disqualifies the team for that particular meet.

Sufficient room for the competing teams to operate in shall be maintained by the judges during the race. At the end of the races, the data shall be assembled by the chairman, and after the results have been announced, the official copy shall be filed as part of the regular minutes of the meeting.

Working Order of Three-Man Pumper Drill

A fire truck will be selected by the chairman. The fire truck will be fitted with a quarter-turn, 2 1/2-inch gated valve (if necessary). The fire hydrant will be turned to the “full on” position allowing full water flow to be controlled by the 2 1/2-inch valve. The 2 1/2-inch valve will include a 2 1/2-inch cap. One hundred feet of 2 1/2-inch hose will be laid on the ground in a straight line from the discharge side of the fire truck with all couplings unattached. A straight bore 2 1/2-inch nozzle shall be provided and the same nozzle used throughout the contest by all teams. The location in which the nozzle will be placed is at least one nozzle length from either side of the end of the hose.

The number of persons in the drill team shall not exceed three. The team members shall stand perpendicular to the hose, with hands extended overhead and knees locked. Starting positions will be at the truck connection, center connection or nozzle connection. Team members will remain in their starting positions until the starting signal is given.

After the starting signal is given, each person must run no less than 50 feet to accomplish the following:

• Connect 2 1/2-inch hose to 2 1/2-inch valve on the fire truck

• Connect center coupling set

• Attach nozzle to end of hose

• Charge hose line with water using the 2 1/2-inch valve on the fire truck, producing a full water stream from the nozzle.

It shall be the duty of the judges to check all couplings, the nozzle and the 2 1/2-inch valve connections to assure that all threads are compatible and will make up easily. The judges shall see that water has been run through the entire hose immediately prior to the start of the race. The hose will be drained of water following the run of each team. The threads at each female connection can be set by team members. This shall be done in a timely manner. No connection shall be made by the team members before their run of the race. If any doubt arises regarding any coupling or threads, the judges shall try that coupling to the team’s satisfaction that it will operate properly.

The judges shall see that the cap placed on the fire truck is set to the proper position prior to the start of each run and also see that all hose couplings are disconnected and that the ends of the hose are folded back not more than five feet. It will be the duty of the judge to set all connections with sufficient slack to make each connection without having to drag the hose from its original position. Team members may approve the amount of slack at each connection. Participants will be allowed to utilize their feet to kick couplings in position if they so desire, and if (by the judgement of the judges) this does not damage any hose couplings or subject anyone to bodily injury.

The same starting cadence shall be used for each contest: timekeepers ready, judges ready, team ready, hands in the air, get set, go (or shoot gun). The time of the contest shall be judged from the time the starting signal is given until a continuous flow (not a surge or spurt) of water passes from the nozzle over the line 100 feet from the rear of the truck. Timekeepers shall clock the time when a continuous stream of water passes over the 100-foot mark. Any team that has a blow-off at any connection or nozzle before time is clocked shall be given a “no-time” by the judge. All connections must be screwed on in such a manner that they will remain in place without being held until time is clocked by the timekeepers. Only the team member making the nozzle connection may be touching the hose with his hands.

After a team has established a valid time (or received a valid no-time) it shall not be permitted to rerun if the equipment shall become inoperative, replaced or relocated. All teams with valid time or valid no-time shall retain their established times and shall be eligible for all prizes. No team shall be given a second chance to run unless a defect in the equipment occurs while said team is running. In such an event, this team shall be allowed a rerun.

The host city shall not be allowed to enter contests for money. Host team at the state convention will be allowed to compete for a trophy. Also, the host city shall run first.

Only one team from each city can enter the contest at the state convention. No racing team or city shall use the host city’s pumper to practice or drill on within a period of three months prior to the convention date.

If races are held at night, all positions shall be well lit.

A set of racing rules shall be given to each judge prior to the races and shall remain in his possession until after completion of the races. He shall study and fully familiarize himself with these rules before the races start. After the races, he shall return the rules to the pumper race chairman.

To be eligible, each racing team member who runs must be registered at the state convention, and be a member of an organized fire department which has paid its state dues and is in good standing with the state association. Any conditions that may arise that are not covered by these rules shall be governed by the racing committee and one representative of each competing team before races start. After races start, any conditions that arise shall be governed by a ruling of the judges.

Texas Firemen's Auxiliary Racing Contest Rules for Six-Lady Pumper Drill

First vice president shall be the racing chairwoman and she shall appoint a racing committee. The association’s general chairman shall appoint the judges, timekeepers and starter, and be in charge of getting the necessary equipment and spotting of truck at hydrant. The auxiliary racing committee shall have charge of the drawing of places and verifying eligibility of each team entering. The general chairman and auxiliary racing committee shall not keep time, but must accept the time given them by the timekeepers. All judges and timekeepers shall be entitled to a vote on any questions that may arise. The general chairman shall not vote except in the event of a tie.

Members of the racing team shall not be members of any organized fire department. However, they must be an immediate relative (wife, widow, mother, daughter, sister, or a ward of a legal guardian) of an active or retired member of a regularly organized fire department that pays dues to the State Firefighters’ and Fire Marshals’ Association of Texas. Only teams whose fire departments have paid state dues and are in good standing with the state association shall be eligible, and all racing team members who run must be registered at the convention. Teams representing districts must meet these same requirements in addition to their district paying state dues. Only teams who have paid the state auxiliary dues shall be eligible. Each team must have at least one racing team member or female representative present at the business meeting and draw for places at the end of the business meeting. (Drawing for places may be held prior to business meeting when races are held prior to business meeting - See Section 2 of Article II, TFA By-laws.)

Only one team from each city can enter the contest at the state convention. Each district may have only one district team enter the contest at the state convention. Members of a district racing team must be from the same district and not participate on any local auxiliary or city team at the state convention. No racing team shall use the host city’s pumper to practice or drill on within a period of three months prior to the convention date.

Any team trying to win by fraud, deception, foul play or in any dishonorable or unladylike manner, or that shall disobey, infringe upon or evade any of the requirements of these rules and regulations before or during the contest, shall be barred from competing in that race; leaving the judges to decide on the matter. The chairman shall take up all complaints of the contest with the judges, and their findings shall be final. All complaints must be made immediately following a team’s run.

At the state convention, the racing team captains shall be in charge. Any team captain or member of her team who violates these rules automatically disqualifies that team for that particular meet. The judges shall be three in number: one at the rear of the pumper and one on each side of the pumper. The timekeepers shall position themselves as near as possible to the 100-foot line painted on the street. Sufficient room for the competing teams to operate in during their race shall be maintained by the judges during the race. If pumper races are held at night, all positions shall be well-lit (both sides of truck, plug, rear of truck, and hose running area).

The host city shall not be allowed to enter contests for prize money. Host team at the state convention will not be allowed to compete for a trophy. The host city shall run first. At the end of the races, the data shall be assembled by the secretary and after the results have been announced, the official copy shall be filed as part of the regular minutes of the meeting.

Auxiliary Pumper Drill

The working order of the drill shall be as follows: pumper to be set at hydrant, motor silent, hydrant wrench in front of seat on the floorboard; wrench will be allowed to extend out of the cab as each team sees fit as long as it will not fall off, (in cab-forward design trucks, judges may designate wrench area in a more appropriate position), doors open, suction hose will be laid from truck to plug with ends folded back about six inches or one foot. The suction hose will be 2 1/2-inch soft cushion. After the drill has started, the position of the pumper cannot be changed. After the truck is set, a white line 6 inches wide and 10 feet long shall be painted on the street 100 feet from the tailboard of truck.

The same nozzle and nonadjustable hydrant wrench shall be used by all teams, the nozzle being furnished by the auxiliary and the wrench being furnished by the host city. Enough 1 1/2-inch or 1 3/4-inch hose shall be provided so that no section shall have to be used more than five times during the race. It shall be the duty of the judges to check all couplings to see that they shall be the same for all teams. The judges shall see that all hose must have water run through it immediately prior to the start of the race. All connections shall be checked by the judges to see that all are the same for all teams before each team runs, and all caps shall be on the plug, the suction intake, and the discharge, and shall be set by the judges prior to the run.

No team member of any of the competing teams shall make any connection at any position before their team runs. If any doubt arises regarding any coupling or threads, the judges shall try that coupling to the team’s satisfaction that it will operate efficiently. The number of ladies in the drill team shall not be less than four and shall not exceed six, or more than one at any position on the truck. Position of ladies at starting signal shall be as follows: two ladies on seat on pumper, sitting in natural position, facing forward; one lady on each side of truck on running boards forward of the suction intake, facing truck; and two ladies on the rear platform, body erect, toes forward and, if possible, feet entirely on running boards. Both ladies on the side running board and ladies on the rear platform may have their heels hanging off of the running boards in case of the running boards being too narrow for the feet to be accommodated provided the toes shall touch the body of the truck. Ladies must remain in this position, hands extended over the head, until starting signal is given.

Note: Should there be less than six (four or five only) members running on the team, position of ladies at starting signal shall be as stated above with the option to drop any two positions.

Nobody, except those pulling the hose, shall grab the hose until the coupling at the 100-foot section clears the hose bed (not rear platform). Teams do not have to touch the 100-foot mark on the street, but must pull off 100 feet of hose.

The first pullman off the rear platform shall be the only lady to reach into the hose bed. The time of the contest shall be judged from the time the starting signal is given until a continuous flow (not a surge or spurt) of water passes from the nozzle over the line 100 feet from the rear of the truck. Timekeepers shall clock the time when a continuous stream of water passes over the 100-foot mark. Any team that has a blow-off of the nozzle or at any connection before the time is clocked at the 100-foot line shall be given a “no-time” by the judges. All connections must be screwed on in such a manner that they will remain in place without being held on until time is clocked by the timekeepers.

After a team has established a valid time (or received a valid no-time), it shall not be permitted to rerun in the event the equipment shall become inoperative, replaced or relocated. All teams with valid times or valid no-times shall retain their established time and shall be eligible for all prizes. No team shall be given a second chance to run unless a defect in equipment occurs while said team is running, in such event this team shall be allowed a rerun. Any conditions that may arise that are not covered by these rules shall be governed by the racing committee and one representative of each competing team before the races start. After races start any conditions that arise shall be governed by a ruling of the judges only.

The same starting cadence shall be used for every contest - timekeepers ready, judges ready, team ready, hands in the air, get set, go (or shoot gun).

A set of racing rules shall be given each judge prior to races and shall remain in his or her possession until after completion of the races. He or she shall study and fully familiarize himself or herself with these rules before the races start. After the races, he or she shall return the rules to the pumper races chairwoman.

Texas Firemen's Auxiliary Three-Lady Racing Rules

First vice president shall be the racing chairwoman and she shall appoint a racing committee. The association’s general chairman shall appoint the judges, timekeepers, and starter, and be in charge of getting the necessary equipment and setting it up. The auxiliary racing chairwoman shall have charge of receiving the convention racing entry form, drawing of places and verifying eligibility of each team entering.

The general chairman and auxiliary racing chairwoman and committee shall not keep time, but must accept the time given them by the timekeepers. All judges and timekeepers shall be entitled to a vote on any question that may arise. The general chairman shall not vote except in case of a tie. Members of the racing team shall not be members of any organized fire department, however, they must be an immediate relative (wife, widow, mother, daughter, sister, or a ward of a legal guardian) of an active or retired member of a regularly organized fire department who pays dues to the State Firemen’s and Fire Marshals’ Association of Texas. Only teams whose fire departments have paid state dues and are in good standing with the state association shall be eligible, and all racing team members who run must be registered at the convention.

Only teams who have paid the State Auxiliary dues shall be eligible. Each team must have at least one auxiliary member present at the business meeting of the Texas Firemen’s Auxiliary. Any team trying to win by fraud, deception, foul play or in any dishonorable or unladylike manner, or that shall disobey, infringe upon or evade any of the requirements of these rules and regulations before or during the contest, shall be barred from competing in that race; leaving the judges to decide on the matter. The chairman shall take up all complaints of the contest with the judges and their finds shall be final. All complaints must be made immediately following a team’s run.

At the state convention, the racing team captains shall be in charge. Working order of the drill shall be as follows: a line at hydrant, runner must be behind and parallel to hose, or runner may run from nozzle; two runners in center facing each other; two sections of 1 1/2-inch or 1 3/4-inch hose and 1 1/2-inch play-pipe nozzle and one adjustable hydrant wrench. Each runner must run 50 feet before doing anything. Each end of the hose will be folded back 18 inches. The same nozzle and adjustable hydrant wrench shall be used by all teams and these shall be furnished by the host city. Enough 1 1/2-inch or 1 3/4-inch hose shall be provided so that no section shall have to be used more than five times during the race. It shall be the duty of the judges to check all couplings to see that they are the same for all teams. The judges shall see that all hose must have enough water run through it immediately prior to the start of the race.

All connections shall be checked by the judges to see that all are the same for all teams before each team runs, and all caps shall be on the plug or truck. The fire plug’s or the truck’s 2 1/2-inch discharge shall be reduced from a 2 1/2-inch to a 1 1/2-inch gated valve. The plug will be opened and gated valve blocked and capped. No team member of any competing team shall make any connection at any position before their run. The judges can start the coupling, then team member may undo coupling in front of the judge.

All team members can participate on only one three-lady team at any convention. The time of the contest shall be judged from the time the starting signal is given until a continuous flow of water passes from the nozzle. Any team that has a blow-off of the nozzle or at any connection before time is clocked, shall be given a “no-time” by the judge. All connections must be screwed on in such a manner that they will remain in place without being held on until time is clocked by the timekeepers. After a team has established a valid time or received a valid no-time, it shall not be permitted to rerun in the event that the equipment shall become inoperable, replaced or relocated. All teams with valid times or valid no-times shall retain their established times and shall be eligible for all prizes. No team shall be given a second chance to run unless a defect in equipment occurs while said team is running; in such an event, this team shall be allowed a rerun.

Any conditions that may arise that are not covered by these rules shall be governed by the racing committee and one representative of each competing team before races start. After races start, any conditions that arise shall be governed by a ruling of the judge only.

No racing team or city shall use the host city’s equipment or hydrant used in the races within a period of three months prior to convention date. The same starting cadence shall be used for every contest: Timekeepers ready, judges ready, team ready hand in the air, get set, go (or shoot gun).

A set of racing rules shall be given to each judge prior to races and shall remain in his or her possession until after completion of the races. He or she shall study and fully familiarize himself or herself with these rules before the races start. After the races, he or she shall return the rules to the pumper racing chairman.

Pumper Races

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