The Owego Fire Department Hose Teams placed first, second, and third at the Central New York Firematic Hose Races at the 116th Annual Central New York Firemen's convention held in Old Forge, New York on June 27.

Owego's Susquehanna Hose Company #1 won the overall points title winning first places in the wye, and straight lay hose competitions and a third in the ladder race with a total of 13 points. The Company #1 team survived a scare from the Owego Croton Hose #3A Flat Rats Team. Company #1 was behind in points to the Company #3A team 9-8 heading into the third and final race. The #1's team rallied and recorded a first place finish to hold off the Flat Rats. The #3A team finished with 11 overall points placing second overall.  A second #3's team came in third overall with 6 overall points.  

     Company #1 defended its title from last year winning its third and final leg of Overall Points Trophy donated in memory of fallen Owego Firefighter Steve Gavin. Three legs are required to retire the trophy. Owego has won a total of 17 Central New York Hose Racing Championships, first winning the title in 1955.championship years included 1959, 1972, 1983, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1994, 1995, 1999, 2003-2009.  Owego has now retired three Central New York traveling trophies. Croton Hose #3 retired the department's first traveling trophy in 1990 and the current champions, Susquehanna Hose #1, retired the department's second traveling trophy in 2006 prior to its latest victory.   
  
  "This was a special win for my family as we retired my Dad's trophy," said Team Captain Patrick Gavin. "My brothers and I grew up hose racing. To retire the trophy with my Dad's long time hose racing teammates Louie Striley and Rick Hinchcliffe is something we'll always cherish."  Bill Herwerth also competed on the Company #1 Team with the three Gavin Boys, Striley and Hinchcliffe.
   
Firematic hose races are timed events where firefighters test their skills. Teams of five members must connect nozzles to hoses, hoses to hoses, and hoses to the fire hydrant, and knock down targets in the quickest time in the ladder, wye, and straight lay competitions. Hose races improve basic firefighting skills. The Central New York Firemen's Association is comprised of 19 Counties representing area volunteer fire departments.   

     A ceremony to officially retire the trophy and celebrate the hose teams is being planned for this fall. A date has been set for Saturday, September 12, in conjunction with Croton Hose #3's open house and hose race on Talcott Street. Hose races will take place at 10 am. The Central New York Firemen's Convention will be held in Owego next year July 15-18, 2010, with several events planned including hose races, a parade, and golf tournament.