Fire convention returns to New Kensington: Here's what's planned

The history-rich, Western Pennsylvania Fireman’s Convention returns to New Kensington next week.

The five-day annual convention, which includes services, a parade and the infamous Battle of the Barrel, starts Thursday evening and runs until Monday, said Ed Saliba Jr., New Kensington fire chief.

“It would be nice for the public to come out and support the fire department,” Saliba said.

The convention begins at 5:30 p.m. Thursday with a memorial service at the No. 4 firehall, in remembrance of Eric L. Mangieri.

Mangieri, an Arnold native and a New Kensington firefighter, died in the line of duty while fighting a fire on Aug. 7, 1995.

“It’s been 30 years since he was killed in the line of duty,” Saliba said. “We thought it was appropriate to begin the convention remembering Eric and what he did.”

Representatives from the roughly 30 to 40 departments will reconvene Friday morning to meet with the state fire commissioner and deputy fire commissioner, Saliba said.

“They always put forth a very nice talk; bringing up different types of legislation they’d like to see passed,” Saliba said.

The Western Pennsylvania Fireman’s Association helps promote the fire service, whether through recruiting and retaining volunteers or through fundraising and advocating for the introduction and passage of helpful state laws.

Companies that attend the convention come from as far as Kittanning, Fayette and Cambria counties, Saliba said.

“It’s nice when you are at the meetings, and it’s a mix of younger, middle-aged and older firefighters,” he said. “There’s a lot of people with a lot of experience, firefighting-wise and the administrative and executive side of the fire service.

“It’s nice — the camaraderie when you get together with these people.”

A public memorial service will be held at 6 p.m. Friday at Rivers Church, Chester Drive in Lower Burrell.

Following the memorial service, there will be entertainment and refreshments at Station No. 1 in downtown New Kensington. The Shiners band will begin at 7:30 p.m.

At 9 a.m. Saturday, there will be a car cruise in the 800 block of Fourth Avenue. A judging of fire apparatus will be at Valley High School at 10:30 a.m. with the lineup at 12:30 p.m. for a parade starting at 3 p.m. in downtown New Kensington.

“There will be fire apparatus from all over Western Pa.,” Saliba said.

Entertainment, refreshments and parade awards will take place at Station No. 1 following the parade.

The Battle of the Barrel competition also takes place at Station 1 at 8 a.m. Sunday.

In the Battle of the Barrel two teams of firefighters use hoses to shoot water at an empty keg strung high above on a cable. The object is to push the barrel to the opponent’s side.

“We are hoping to have quite a few teams for the competition,” Saliba said. “It’s fun to watch the competition between the members of the fire departments. It’s a good day; it’s a fun day.

“Four years ago when we hosted the convention, there were 17 teams. When they come to us, we have that many teams and it was crazy. A lot of people participate.”

A banquet and awards ceremony will be held that evening at the Lower Burrell VFW. There will be a golf outing Monday morning at Hill Crest Country Club.

It will mark the ninth time New Kensington has hosted the convention. That’s the most of any department in the convention’s 132-year history, Saliba said.

“They always said that New Kensington always did a first-class act at hosting the convention, and it’s something we pride ourselves in,” Saliba said.