Owego Hose Teams, Inc. launches new website celebrating 65 years of firematic hose racing excellence

The Owego Hose Teams, Inc. recently launched a website at www.owegohoseteams.com, showcasing the champion firematic hose racing team over its 65 year history. The interactive website features the team’s storied history by Ithaca Times Sportswriter and Owego native Steve Lawrence, pictures and video from past races, a “Hose Racing 101 Guide,” and upcoming events and fundraisers for teams.

Incorporated as a not for profit in 2015, the Owego Hose Teams Inc. have been competing in firematic hose racing since 1951. This year marked their 65th anniversary season. The teams have won a total of 23 Central New York firematic hose racing titles and are known throughout the state for their racing prowess.  

The 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.

In addition to the website, a commemorative anniversary insert will be included in next week’s edition of the Owego Pennysaver. The teams noted their appreciation to Amy Gavin for creating and maintaining the website and thank the Owego Pennysaver’s hard work on the insert and the businesses that funded it. 

The hose teams are busy working on several projects for 2017 that include a memorial golf tournament on June 3 at the Tioga Country Club, restoration of the Baker Fireman’s Fountain, a special hose race in May at the 125th celebration of the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY) Museum and Retirement Home in Hudson, New York, and their regular racing schedule that includes the Central NY Firemen’s Association Annual Races.  

More information on all these events can be found on the website, www.owegohoseteams.com and in next week’s insert.