The central Iowa town of Perry is hosting the annual Iowa Firemen’s Association state convention this weekend. The event is drawing some 2,500 firefighters from all across Iowa. Cliff Renslow of Stuart is the group’s president and says today will be focused on training.
“We have a full day of firefighter drills,” Renslow says, which include testing a host of skills, from handling hoses and axes to rescue techniques. There are ten drills and trophies will be awarded to the winners. One of the highlights of the convention is tonight’s fire truck parade through Perry, scheduled to begin at 6 o’clock.
Renslow says the parade will feature some of the oldest hand-drawn fire carts all the way to the newest, most sophisticated fire trucks. Fire departments from across Iowa bring their restored antique trucks to show off, in addition to their latest equipment. After more than a century in existence, he notes this will be the last convention for the agency as it’s now known.
The Iowa Firemen’s Association is changing its name to the Iowa Firefighters Association, which he says is more “politically-correct” and will make clear that it includes people of both sexes. The group’s convention is scheduled for tomorrow (Sunday).
Learn more at “www.iafireassn.org“.
By Pat Powers, KQWC, Webster City