Teddy’s Boys places in fireman’s drill

Nearly 40 fire departments and more than 50 trucks gathered for the Nassau County Fireman’s Drill and Parade, a 120-year tradition steeped in history, camaraderie and, of course, competition.

The two-day festivities began on July 14 in Rockville Centre at Firemen’s Field with the annual Old Fashioned Drill tournament — a series of timed races and contests designed to test firefighters’ skills. Teams demonstrated their strength and agility, including Oyster Bay Fire Department’s Teddy’s Boys.

The next morning, the competitors returned to the track for the motorized drill. The sounds of engines roaring and tires screeching could be heard over the cheers of the crowd. Thirteen teams competed in the fast-paced event, as firefighters leapt from the back of vehicles and trucks in a race against the clock.

In the hose competition, teams raced down the track, hooked a hose up to a hydrant and hit a target with water. Then in the ladder event, competitors raced down the track and raised a ladder to a tower overhead while one member was climbing; the clock stopped when the climber reached the top. Next was the bucket competition, which had groups of five pass buckets of water in a race to fill the bucket at the top of a ladder.

At the end of the competition

Teddy’s Boys Drill Team with 19 points took third place overall in Nassau County Motorized Drill.

–Dan Offner