Published: June 06, 2008 11:31 pm      

Spangler firefighters muster old-time equipment, photos

NORTHERN CAMBRIA — Spangler volunteer firefighters are crediting their youth members for gathering and sprucing up company antiques and memorabilia that will be featured in , “muster” later this month.

The second Spangler Fire Company Antique Muster and chicken barbecue will be held June 22 at Contres-Greer Social Hall.

The event will feature a display of antique fire equipment, trucks, photos and other memorabilia.

The company is urging owners of vintage fire trucks and other old fire equipment to bring their antiques to the Sunday afternoon event.

Fire Chief Mickey Lutch said the muster is held as a general fundraiser for the company, which has a total membership of about 150, of which 38 are active volunteers.

Lutch said he is encouraged by the number of young people participating in the junior firefighter and explorer programs.

“This has been the biggest group involved at one time that we have had,” Lutch said.

“They are very excited, and sometimes it is hard to hold them back. They want to do things they are not allowed to do yet.”

Junior firefighters are 16 to 17 years old, and explorers are 14 to 15.

The teens are helping with this year’s antique muster.

“The dozen or so kids are unpacking the photographs and cleaning up the helmets,” Nick Kanouff, fire captain and muster co-chairman, said in a statement.

“They get to see how generations of fires were fought over the years.” he added.

The teens are responsible for preparing the antique memorabilia, apparatus, the 1954 truck and the 1905 hose cart for the show.

“I think they are finding it interesting to see how the equipment has progressed over the years,” Kanouff added.

The junior members also will assist the firefighters with the event’s dinner, fire truck rides, games, basket raffle and children’s contests.

Anyone interested in displaying antique engines or equipment at the muster can call Kanouff at 948-7001 or company President Bob Bradford at 948-4116.