What is Firematic racing?

7/14/2022 (Permalink)

If you’ve lived in Western New York for a little bit, then you’ve probably seen signs or heard advertisements for something called “Firematic” racing.

Many people from out of town, and even many people right here in the Buffalo area, have never heard of this type of competition.

Apparently, it’s vastly more popular in New York state than anywhere else in the world – who knew?

But what actually is Firematic racing? And who can get involved?

Firematic racing (sometimes also referred to as drill team racing) is a competition between firefighters, usually from different fire companies.

The competitions are designed to test the participants’ firefighting acumen by putting them through a series of firefighting drills, usually for time.

Usually, there’s a distinction between two types of competitors: old-fashioned and motorized.

Old-fashioned competitors will complete the drills on foot, and to the extent that they use any specialized equipment at all, it’s all under manual power.

Motorized competitors, on the other hand, take full advantage of modern technology and often use specialized Class-B or Class-C “racer” trucks.

Despite the difference in technologies, both divisions usually compete in similar events that involve running and operating fire hoses, placing ladders, and the “Bucket Brigade,” a race to use buckets to fill a large drum.