This summer, during Carlyle Fun Dayz, the Carlyle Fire Department plans to host this year’s Firefighter’s Rodeo.
The rodeo will take place on Aug. 21 at the Carlyle Sports Arena. The event will include a search and rescue scenario which will start at 7:30 a.m. with hopefully around nine teams each participating one after the other. After this, the event will move outside the rink to the parking lot.
While outside, the firefighters will go through some relay races which mimic situations similar to those that the firefighters come across regularly, as well as a tournament of water soccer.
For this year’s rodeo, Zane Vanderhulst, a volunteer at the Carlyle Fire Department, also said he hopes to have a pancake breakfast, beer gardens and a food truck at the event.
Last year, the Carlyle Fire Department was unable to host the rodeo as planned, due to COVID-19. However, they are hoping this year that the COVID-19 regulations will allow for people to come watch the rodeo in person. It is a chance for people to get a glimpse of the way that the local fire departments operate and to understand the problems they deal with.
Overall, Vanderhulst explained that the rodeo is most important for the way that it impacts and helps the firefighters. Being a small-town department means that they often must rely on other departments for help. Therefore, this rodeo is important for creating an environment where departments can work together.
“It is one of the few times we get together in a light atmosphere, and when it’s not a tragic or stressful situation. It’s a time for different fire departments to get together and see how each other do things and get … to know other departments’ procedures, which is probably the most important reason to do this.”
Vanderhulst also suggested a few ways that people can get involved and show support for the fire departments.
“If anyone is interested, talk to your local fire departments…we are always looking for community minded people to join. And [I] encourage anyone to come out and see what the day has to offer and see the area fire fighters compete for the chance to take the trophy back to their hall.”
