38th Annual Fire Fighters Freedom Competition & Apparatus Expo

The Southport Fire Department will present the 38 th Annual
Firefighter’s Freedom Competition on Saturday, July 1st, from 3 p.m. at the Southport
Fire Substation at 115 E. Nash Street.
This event has drawn firefighters from area fire departments to compete since 1984.
What looks like fun games to the spectators is really an event to test the teamwork of a
department, as it pays homage to the training and firefighting methods of our past. Take
for example, the bucket brigade. It was the method of extinguishing fires until the invention of the hand-
pumped fire engine.   A tremendous amount of teamwork and physical endurance, the key to an
effective fire department, is needed to complete this duty.

The competitive events include Tanker Tug, Command Post, Bucket Brigade, Benjamin Franklin Impersonator,
Extrication Demonstration, Mystery Event, Fire Extinguisher Demonstration, and Barrel Push, as well as this
year’s newest activity, a pie-eating contest. Appearances
by Sparky, Smokey and Marshal from Paw Patrol®; A
helicopter landing will take place at 2 p.m. Fire engines,
ladder trucks, and equipment will be displayed, and
firefighters will be available to answer any questions.
The public is invited to view the competition, see fire
apparatus displays, take tours, visit fire vendors, and enjoy
water sprinklers and activities for children.
The Southport Fire Department is also sponsoring the
return of the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation presentation of the 9/11 Never Forget Memorial
Mobile Exhibit to the Fourth of July Festival. The exhibit will be displayed at 115 E. Nash Street, July 1-4 from
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 2-4 and 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. on July 1st. See the motorcade into Southport on June 30th; the
procession of vehicles with the 911 Memorial Exhibit is expected to turn onto 211 from Highway 17 around
3:30 p.m.