Continuing a spirit of competition

Firematic Hose Racing carries on a tradition as old as firefighting itself. Ever since the beginning, when ladders, hoses – and even buckets – were invented as a way to extinguish fires, there was always a spirit of competition among firefighters as to who could be the first “team” to extinguish the fire. Even today, there is a healthy competition to get “first water” on a fire between engine companies within a department. In the early days, a monetary reward was paid to those who were able to extinguish a fire. Out of this spirit of competition grew a unique form of racing called hose racing.

What began long ago as simple, unsophisticated footraces have evolved into season-long competitions in some areas of the country between numerous rival racing teams, with several different classes of competition, along with officiating and modern equipment.

In Central New York the primary hose racing event is the Central New York Races held each summer at the Central New York Fireman’s Convention. The Central New York Association is comprised of 20 counties to include Broome; Cayuga; Chemung; Chenango; Cortland; Delaware; Herkimer; Madison; Oneida; Onondaga; Ontario; Otsego; Schoharie; Schuyler; Seneca; Steuben; Tioga; Tompkins; Wayne; and Yates. Three races are held at this event including the ladder, wye, and 5 man straight lay races. The five man straight lay recently replaced the motor hose race.