This Saturday the OFD will hold our Annual Department Inspection. This tradition is as old as some of our company’s. As this is known to many as a deep cleaning to see what rig is the cleanest at judging, it really is much more than just that. It’s a time to ensure other than weekly checks, that every piece of equipment we carry on our apparatus is in 100% working order.

Some equipment is not used on every call. Some are extremely specific to a certain task. Luckily we don’t need to use some of it often as if we did, many more lives would be in danger more often. If it is needed though, it’s there and in working order at a moments notice.

Members of their respective companies have spent the past week or two specifically going over their apparatus and equipment with a fine tooth comb. This is as we’ve already said is done to ensure it’s readiness, but it’s also a sense of pride and tradition. Members before us have done this same thing, it also is a way to show exactly how much we take pride in what the village and taxpayers provide us with to handle the emergencies we face.

Another day and a half of preperation are remaining till Inspection. Which company will take home the “Clint Crawford Trophy” for Best Appearing Department Apparatus….we’ll let you know Sunday.