Fire Department Fun Bucket Brigade Relay at Fiesta La Ballona

The following article was submitted to Culver City Patch by the Fiesta La Ballona 2012 committee:

Racing against the clock, community service clubs, PTA's, teachers, students and neighborhood kids will compete in the Culver City Fire Dept. bucket brigade to save the lives of stranded Culver City Council and Culver City public school officials stranded in a smoke-filled tent at Fiesta La Ballona.

The relay will be held at the "Contests in the Park" attraction by the Disney Radio stage where Disney actors, Culver City recreation leaders, and Board of Education member Laura Chardiet will cheerlead the competing teams.

Competitors must transfer pails of water from one vessel to another, minimizing spills and overcoming obstacles.

The bucket brigade is a fire department competition that resembles training firefighters use to keep their lifesaving skills sharp.

"This one will all be in good fun," said Culver City Fire Dept. Captain Jorge Kurowski, who knows about fun, having worked for the Culver City Recreation Department in his young adult years prior to joining forces with the local Fire agency.  The Culver City Dept. of Parks, Recreation and Community Services runs the annual Fiesta.

Culver City Fire Department paramedics will save the lives of public officials in a simulated life-saving procedure with the volunteer CERT group that is guaranteed to elicit laughs from the audience. 

“It’s serious business, but we’ll have a good time in this case,” said President of CERT, Perry Waldow.

The bucket brigade will be held on both Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 p.m.  following the Culver City Service Club and schools relays, which begin at 1:30 p.m.

The public can cool down on the expected hot late August afternoon in the Culver City Firefighters' mist zone across from the "Classics in the Park" attraction, featuring vintage Culver City vehicles, south of the main stage.  A satisfying mist sprays over eager participants every few minutes, starting at 1 p.m. each weekend day. 

“I won’t be holding the hose, because of the pressure caused by the kick back, but I will control it from where I stand up there,” said Culver City Fireman Jessie Luna.

Board of Education members, city council, service club and PTA leaders will try to break the distance record on a grass surface while riding the Culver City Fire Department’s unique 5-person bike at 3:20 p.m. each day.

The last time the Culver City Fire Dept. conducted a competitive muster was 25 years ago in competition at Dodger Stadium, according to former Firefighters Association President Bob DelaPuente, whose son is starting center for the New Orleans Saints professional football team.

Fiesta La Ballona (www.FiestaLaBallona.org) is held August 24-26 at Veterans Park, 4117 Overland Ave. Culver City.

Contests in the Park

Culver City Fire Dept. relay games at the Disney Stage

Saturday 1:30-3:30 p.m.

1:30 p.m. Culver City Fire Dept. rally with Culver City Rotary & Exchange clubs (tug of war, sack race, obstacles)

2:30 p.m. Culver City Fire Dept. and CERT bucket brigade to save the City Council

3:15 p.m. Culver City Firefighter Long Bike Challenge (City Council)

3:15 p.m. YMCA water balloon toss

4 p.m. Essential Chocolate Ice Cream Eating Contest (teens, adults)

Sunday 1:30-3:30 p.m.

1:30 p.m. Culver City Fire Dept. rally with Culver City schools (tug of war, sack race, obstacles)

2:30 p.m. Culver City Fire Dept. and CERT bucket brigade to save the Board of Education

3:15 p.m.Culver City Firefighter Long Bike Challenge (Board of Education)

3:15 p.m. YMCA water balloon toss

4 p.m. Essential Chocolate Ice Cream Eating Contest (kids 12&under)

Click on the PDF to the right of this article for the full Fiesta La Ballona Program Guide.

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