Firefighters will douse each other, not flames

Bristol firefighters will be dousing each other instead of flames this weekend as the annual Firemen’s Field Day is scheduled Sunday.

The annual firemen’s muster — scheduled for 10 a.m. Sunday, July 16, in Independence Park — brings firefighters and their families together for friendly competition among the town's four fire companies — Defiance Hose Company, Ever-Ready Engine & Hose Company, Hydraulion Engine & Hose Company, and Dreadnaught Hook, Ladder & Hose Company. The firefighters will gather at muster and compete against each other in a series of skills challenges, including a tug of war and fire hose accuracy challenges.

After the muster, the real fun begins for spectators. At 1 p.m., the four fire companies will face off in a duel for supremacy. But instead of pistols, the firefighters will use their hoses, shooting each other with water at full blast from the fire hoses. The objective is simple … blast the other team from 50 feet away with the violent torrent until they all hit the ground. Last team standing wins.

Defiance will be looking to retain the Vollaro-Van Voast traveling trophy, awarded to the top team every year. Defiance is a traditionally strong team, winning the muster and battle each of the last two years.