Firematic Racing

Firematic racing is a fun competition for firefighter teams. In these races, teams work together to complete tasks that copy real firefighting jobs. They are timed, and the fastest team wins.

This sport is very popular on Long Island and in other parts of New York State. But similar competitions exist all over the world, even if they have different names. It’s a great way for firefighters to practice their skills and work as a team.

History

Ever since firefighters began using tools like ladders and hoses to put out fires, they have competed to see who could act the fastest. This spirit of competition started a special kind of racing among firefighter teams. Though these races happen in a few places in the United States, they are most popular in the Long Island area of New York State.

What began as simple footraces has grown into full seasons of competition with many teams, different classes, and modern equipment. Today, digital scoreboards like the Joe Hunter Memorial Scoreboard show the standings during events. Fans can also listen to live broadcasts called Drill Team Radio, which are available online for people everywhere to enjoy.

Regulation and organization

In New York State, the sport is managed by the New York State Volunteer Firemen's Parade and Drill Team Captains Association, Inc. (NYSVFP&DTCA). This group provides officials and makes and updates the rules for the competitions each year.

The NYSVFP&DTCA has four divisions that teams can join. Two divisions are for Long Island: Nassau and Suffolk. The other two divisions are for northern New York: Western and Northern.

Old-Fashioned vs. Motorized Drill Teams

There are two types of Firematic racing: Old-Fashioned teams and Motorized teams. In Old-Fashioned racing, competitors run on foot and carry hoses and ladders on small hand-pulled carts.

Motorized teams race in two classes: Class-B racers use modified older pickup trucks with pumps, and Class-C racers are like modified dragsters. Both classes have special beds to store lightweight racing hoses and ladders, plus steps and handles for racers to hold onto. Both classes use modified racing engines, and Class-C racers also use special racing tires.

About the tracks

The tracks used in Firematic Racing events are built and cared for by different fire departments. They follow strict rules set by an official group to make sure every track is the same. The racing season runs from June to early September, with different fire departments hosting races each weekend.

A typical track is less than half a mile long. One end has a staging area where teams wait for their turn. There are different starting lines for various events. On the right side, there is a hydrant used for water events, kept at just the right pressure. At the far end of the track is an arch made of wood, steel, or brick, used for special events and built to exact standards.

About the racing events

In these racing events, teams try to finish tasks as fast as they can to beat the clock. They aim to have the quickest time not just for their own team but also compared to all other teams. Records are kept for the fastest times, and if someone thinks they might have broken a record, officials check the equipment and timing devices to make sure everything was done fairly. Teams earn points for coming in first, second, and so on, and the team with the most points at the end of the day wins that event. At the end of the season, there are big competitions for counties and states that teams really want to win or do well in.

Hose competitions

Hose competitions are split into two types: Old-Fashioned and Motorized. In the Old-Fashioned style, team members run down the track carrying hoses or pulling them on small carts. At the end, one person connects the hose to a water source and opens it at just the right moment so that when the last person reaches the end, water comes out and hits a target, stopping the timer.

In the Motorized style, teams start in trucks and race down the track. Some stop to connect to a water source and pump water, while others lay down hose as they go and then stop to connect the end of the hose so they can hit the target with water.

Ladder competitions

Ladder competitions also have Old-Fashioned and Motorized types. In the Old-Fashioned style, teams use a special cart to carry a ladder down the track. They race to a point, pull off the ladder, and raise it quickly so that the top reaches a specific spot on an arch. Team members then climb to the top as fast as they can to grab a ring, and that stops the timer.

There are strict rules for this event. If the ladder is not placed correctly, the team is disqualified because raising a ladder at speed can be dangerous.

Bucket Brigade competitions

The last event of the day is the Bucket Brigade. Each team member gets a five-gallon bucket and runs down the track to fill it with water. The first few members climb a ladder and stand ready. The others hand up buckets of water one by one. The top member pours each bucket into a big drum on the arch until it is full, and then the timer stops.

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Determining Champions

The winners of each season are chosen in three ways: County, Area, and State champions. The State Championship is the biggest and most wanted.

County champions are found by adding up the points a team earns in their County. At the end of the year, points are counted and awards given at a dinner for captains in that County. This happens in Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

Area champions are found by adding up the points a team earns in their Area. At the end of the year, points are counted and awards given at a dinner for captains in that Area. This happens for the Western and Northern Areas.

At the end of August each year, the state championship happens in one of the four divisions of the New York State Drill Team Captain's Association. Over 30 teams race all day. At the end, the points from winning events are added up to find the year's State Champion. The State Champion does not need to also be an Area Champion.