NYS Department Drill Teams to Host 11th Annual Joe G. Hunter Memorial Tournament July 3 in Hempstead

July 2, 2013 – Hempstead, New York – The New York State Fire Department Drill Teams association will hold its 11th Annual Joe G. Hunter Memorial Tournament on Wednesday, July 3, at 6:00 p.m. at Hempstead Fireman's Memorial Park.  The tournament will feature drill teams from fire departments from across New York State.  All proceeds will go to the Joseph Hunter Memorial Fund, a fund that provides financial assistance to those in need who demonstrate an outstanding commitment to their community and exhibit some of the heroic qualities that Joe possessed.

Joseph G. Hunter was a firefighter who valiantly gave his life while saving others on 9/11 from the South Tower. Joe wanted to be a firefighter since he was 4-years-old, and he fulfilled his aspiration as a dedicated firefighter for both the New York City and South Hempstead Fire Departments.

The New York State Fire Department Drill Team Association was created with the goal of training firefighters by helping them enhance the skills necessary when battling a fire or dealing with an emergency.   The tournaments consist of a number of different skill tracks including fire hose control and hydrant coordination, truck handling, ladder speed, and other team-building drills.  These types of educational drills improve and secure critical firefighter abilities such as speed, safety, communication, as well as encourage team, trust and relationship building.  Drill teams from fire departments from all over the state train for the tournaments with hopes of success in the State Championship event in August.

New York State has seen competition between volunteer fire departments since the late 1800s.  In 1955, the fire departments in the state came together to create a common set of rules and requirements.  Since that time, teams from Western and Northern New York and across Long Island compete for points and pride every summer.

“The New York State Fire Department Drill Teams association has a rich history rooted in comradery, trust building, physical skill development and fellowship among the fire departments.  The teams that participate in these tournaments regularly practice their skills to make sure that they are more than well prepared for any type of emergency situation that may occur in their communities.  This type of preparedness is both valuable and necessary to ensure the safety of the citizens they help protect,” said Kevin Connell, Second Vice President of the North Lindenhurst Fire Department.

Each event is organized by the New York State Fire Department Drill Team Association, along with a local host. Sponsors for this event are Mobile Fleet, the 2014 Long Island Fire and EMS Mega Show, Nassau Fire Apparatus, Hi Tech Fire and Safety, Coastal Fire Systems and others.

Tickets for the event are $5.00 and can be purchased at the tournament.  Food and refreshments will be available.

Location: Weir Street, between Grand Avenue and Milburn

Date and Time:  Wednesday, July 3 6:00pm

For more information about this event please visit the Facebook event page at https://www.facebook.com/events/420194001421672/  and for more information about the New York State Fire Department Drill Team Association please visit www.nysdrillteams.com