Firefighters convention coming to town

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BEACON FALLS — Firefighters from across the state will descend on the Valley this weekend for the 132nd annual Connecticut State Firefighters Association Convention and Parade.

Beacon Hose Company No. 1 of Beacon Falls and Citizens’ Engine Co. No. 2 of Seymour are co-hosting the convention.

“It’s a huge honor to be able to have the state firefighter’s convention and parade in our community,” Beacon Hose Company No. 1 Chief James Trzaski said.

Firefighters will conduct business on Friday and Saturday, including discussing legislation important to firefighting and presenting awards.

On Sunday, the CSFA Parade will make its way through Beacon Falls.

The parade, which steps off at 12 p.m., will head down Lancaster Drive, turn left onto Route 42, head down South Main Street, turn left onto Depot Street, turn left on Railroad Avenue, and end at the Murtha Industrial Park.

“There are close to 60 fire departments participating in the parade and well over 100 pieces of fire apparatus,” Trzaski said.

Trzaski said detours will be set up and some roads will be blocked off. South Main Street and Route 42 will be closed on the southbound side. Traffic will be diverted to the northbound side, which is normally two lanes.

Those who want to come to the parade can park at Woodland Regional High School, 135 Back Rimmon Road, and a shuttle bus will be provided to the parade route.

Aside from showcasing their apparatuses during the parade, departments will be in the running to receive trophies.

Beacon Hose Company No. 1 and Citizens’ Engine Co. No. 2 are ineligible for trophies since they are hosting the event, Trzaski said.

The departments will be judged on factors such as the way they march, cleanliness of apparatus, and how sharp their uniforms looks, Trzaski said. The departments will be awarded points and the department with the most points will receive the Best Appearing Overall Unit trophy.

Other trophies will be awarded in categories such as best appearing apparatus, best appearing color guard and best appearing ambulance, Trzaski said.

Trzaski said the event is more than a parade, it’s a chance for departments to highlight themselves.

“This is the coveted parade. Most departments work their entire year for the chance to show pride and ownership in their department,” Trzaski said.