Hughson firefighters’ muster stays mostly dry while celebrating milestone

The Hughson fire department celebrated 100 years of protecting its community through rain, shine and drought this weekend.

The town’s volunteer Fire Protection District hosted the Hughson Firemen’s Muster, bringing teams from across the state to compete. But because of the continued drought, most of the events were done without water, making for a day of dry runs under the Central Valley sun Saturday.

The competition is part of the California Firemen’s Muster Association annual schedule. Since the early 1970s, the association has hosted three to four events each year, culminating in a state championship. Musters bring teams of firefighters and community members together to run obstacle courses using antique fire equipment and methods. In normal conditions, the competition provides a welcome wet respite from the warm weather. But because of the drought, all of the events except for the bucket brigade were done without water in Hughson.

“Since it’s a drought year the association decided to do a dry muster. But we pretty much do the same process, except we won’t throw water,” said event chairman Tony Douds, a Hughson fire captain. “What water we do use will go to water the grass in the nearby area. So we will try to waste as little water as possible and do our part.”

This is the first year since the 1977 drought that the association has run its muster schedule dry. Still the conditions didn’t throw cold water on the celebration. This is the first time Hughson has hosted a muster within the city limits. It was selected in conjunction with its centennial celebration. The department of about two dozen mostly volunteers (only the chief and training officer are paid positions) has a long history of service.

“Our people do it because it’s a service to the community that goes back to the old days,” said Hughson fire Capt. Jeff Serpa, who also serves on the fire protection district board. “It’s a good feeling to be part of an agency that has been here for so long.”

The muster and centennial celebration also included a parade, fire station open house and fundraising dinner. Close to 40 teams took part in the muster from across the state, including competitors from Hughson, Ceres and Westport. Several antique fire engines, from the 1920s to the 1950s, took part in the motorized event. The festivities also saw the ceremonial christening of the department’s newest modern fire engine.

Ray Camagna, a retired assistant chief of Hughson Fire, said it was an honor to have the city host the muster. The association’s state finals will be in King City in August, and some of the Hughson winners will be eligible to compete. Teams took part in hose cart races, motorized apparatus races and the bucket brigade. Events had originally been planned to run both days, but competition was able to wrap up Saturday.

To add to the small-town touch, Hughson muster organizers gave the winners some very special “trophies.” First place was a pie, second was candied walnuts and third was a box of cookies. The centennial celebration will continue Sunday with a breakfast by the Hughson Fire Explorer Post starting at 7 a.m. in the Hughson High cafeteria.

“Not too many departments last this long,” Camagna said. “We’re the oldest established fire district in Stanislaus County, and we’re proud of that.”

This story was originally published June 20, 2015 at 4:36 PM with the headline "Hughson firefighters’ muster stays mostly dry while celebrating milestone."