Firefighters gather for weekend convention in Blair County

EAST FREEDOM, BLAIR COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — Firefighters from 23 counties across the state will gather in East Freedom, starting on Thursday.

The 132nd annual Central Fire District Convention over the next three days. The event, hosted by the Freedom Township Fire Department, includes live music, food and beverage.

First responders bring trailers and camping tents to the fire station and camp out the weekend. Other fire stations roll into town throughout the weekend.

The convention acts as the fire department’s biggest fundraiser of the year. Those funds go toward equipment and maintenance for the hosting department.

Regardless of funds, the convention brings more than just money into the convention. “We get to meet some friends we haven’t seen in over a year,” said Ron Henry, fire chief of Freedom Township Fire Department. “We only see them a couple of times here, but it’s nice to get together with them.”

The convention does allow the public to enter, and even some firefighters from outside the Central Fire District. Tom Slimick, assistant commander from Natrona Volunteer Hose Company in Allegheny County, has visited the convention in years prior.

His experience brings out stories from calls he has been on. “We share information with each other,” Slimick said. “We talk about calls we’ve been on and reminisce about old stories and old times.”

The convention starts on Thursday, with activities rolling on through Staurday.

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