August 26 is America’s Fireboat Fire Fighter’s 85th birthday and as part of the Mystic Seaport Museum Fire Fighter Festival that same day, guests can tour the iconic piece of American history, meet the crew, and experience the mighty water cannons during one of the day’s impressive dockside water displays.
Fire Fighter’s celebration is included in the price of admission to the Mystic Seaport Museum. All first responders will receive free admission to the event. A suggested donation of $10 will be accepted to help support Fire Fighter’s preservation efforts.
The Fire Fighter Festival static displays will include police and fire boats, antique fire trucks, hand-pumpers, and more. Guests can also look forward to thrilling active demonstrations, such as a Newfoundland dog rescue demo and water displays by Fire Fighter at 11am, 1pm, and 3pm. Visiting boats will join in the water displays, creating a spectacular show for all attendees. Additionally, there will be a Breeches Buoy demo, Newfoundland dog rescue demo, kids’ activities, crafts, and face painting.
Confirmed partners for the event include Mystic Fire Department, East Hampton (CT) Fire Department, East Hampton (LI) Fire Department, Colchester Hayward Volunteer Fire Department, U.S. Coast Guard, Greenport (LI) Fire Department, and Lifestar.
Fire Fighter, known as “America’s Fireboat,” has protected the United States during some of the most harrowing incidents in American history. Today, she remains a fully operational vessel, as well as a memorial and teaching museum docked at the Museum. A truly unique piece of American firefighting history, Fire Fighter is a National Historic Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
For over seven decades, this fire service icon safeguarded the New York Harbor. During World War II, Fire Fighter stood ready as ammunition-laden boats left for Europe, providing courageous service on famous rescue missions including the fire and capsizing of the SS Normandie and the massive munitions ship El Estero fire. Following the attack on 9/11, the fireboat was tasked with the greatest challenge of her career – pumping water from the Harbor after the Twin Towers collapsed and all water hydrants were crushed. Fire Fighter and other FDNY Marine Units were the sole source of water for firefighting efforts at Ground Zero.
Fire Fighter’s call for corporate support
As with anything 85 years young, preservation of Fire Fighter is needed. Corporations in the fire protection industry are being sought to underwrite the cost of capital improvements to preserve this national historic treasure including fire main piping design, HVAC systems, dry dock expenses, piping and more.
To learn more visit Fire Fighter’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/americasfireboat/ for regular updates and information about open volunteer opportunities, as well as special projects and events.
The Fireboat Fire Fighter Museum is a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to preserving Fire Fighter as a fully operational vessel, memorial, and teaching museum. This is a volunteer organization and relies on the time, generosity, and wide expertise of the general public to help reach the goal of maintaining a truly unique piece of American maritime history.