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The Maine State Federation of Fire Fighters (MSFFF) will be holding its 37th Annual
Convention this weekend. Over 1,000 firefighters and their families will be
converging on Saco and Old Orchard Beach to take part in festivities.
The federation consists of call, volunteer, and career fire fighters from all over the
state of Maine.
The MSFFF was founded in
March of 1949 and is considered a legislative body that lobbies for safety issues and
concerns of the fire fighters in the State of Maine. The first convention was held
in Bangor/Brewer in 1964. Each year since then the convention has been held in
a different location from York Beach to Madawaska.
 The
convention will begin on Friday with the Annual Meeting and Block Party. The Block
Party will be held at the Ball Park and is sponsored by the GOOD TIME people of the Acton Fire Department.
Convention 2000 fireworks are planned for 9:30 pm.
Over 45 departments are expected
to participate in this y ear's convention parade. Two trucks from the Riverview Fire &
Rescue of New Brunswick Canada will also participate. This is the showcase event for these
departments and will draw many spectators, both young and old. The parade is
scheduled for Saturday morning at 10:00am and will start at Pepperell Square in Saco. The
parade route will lead the participants along Main Street to Elm Street to Ocean Park
Road. The parade apparatus will then be on display at Loranger School for the
afternoon.
On Saturday evening Tim Sample, renowned Maine Humorist,
will be the special guest speaker at the convention banquet. The banquet, held at
the Rochambeau Club, will also include presentation of parade awards. A dance will be held after the banquet with Roger
Grenier as the DJ.
Arthur Guerin, co-chair of the
convention and Lieutenant with the Old Orchard Fire Department says this year's convention
will be very exciting. It's being held in conjunction with the Old Orchard Beach
Chamber of Commerce's Classic Car Show on Friday. Fire fighters with classic cars
and trucks, and who are registered with the convention, can participate in the Classic Car
Parade on Friday evening.
On Sunday, the convention wraps up
with the exciting Firemen's Muster.  This year 24 teams will participate in several events that showcase the
skills of the departments. It gives the departments the chance to see what they are
made of, going against some stiff competition from around the state. The muster,
held in the parking lot of the Loranger School, will start at 9:00am. The awards
will be handed out at the completion of the muster.
Schedule of Convention 2000
events
~A. Provencher,
On-Line Editor
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