Green Brook fire EMS participated in the 20th annual NJ Firefighters Bicycle Race to raise funds for The Burn Center at St. Barnabas Hospital, NJ’s only certified burn center, was held on Sun., July 24 in downtown Stirling (Morris County). It was another successful event with more than 60 firefighters racing, including 7 female firefighters. Each year this event, the only one of its kind in America, is hosted by the Stirling Volunteer Fire Co. whose members spent more than 200 hours to make this event a success.
Hundreds of on-lookers cheered and applauded the racers as they completed the two mile race in full firefighter turn-out gear (less boots because it is too difficult to keep boots on the pedals). The weather for the race was sunny and in the low 90s. Due to the high heat the racers were asked if they wanted to race without their gear and just wear their helmets. The vote was unanimous to race in their full turn-out gear! Before the race started a large amount of water was consumed by the racers as well as after the race. The firefighters completed the race without incident, a testament to their strength, endurance, and dedication.
After the race Stirling firefighters hosted a picnic lunch in their air conditioned firehouse for the racers and their guests. Following the meal trophies were awarded to the winners by firefighter race chairman Frank Reilly and race vice chairman Steve Remington. Reilly praised the riders for their outstanding performance and recognized the many Stirling firefighters who worked so hard to make this event a success.
The oldest racer was Kenneth Larson, a fit 68 year old firefighter, from the Green Brook Fire EMS Dept. He finished 68th and was presented with the “Oldest Firefighter Racer Award”, which he joyfully accepted with much fanfare.
The participating fire departments were: Dunellen, East Franklin, Forked River, Green Brook, Hampton, Kenilworth, Liberty Corner, Millington, North Branch, Perth Amboy, Plainsboro, Stirling, Upper Saddle River, and Wilkes-Barre PA.
(above) Firefighters line up at starting position.
(above) Green Brook firefighter.
(above) Green Brook firefighters.
(above) Kenneth Larson Green Brook fire EMS at finish line. Larson was presented with the “Oldest Firefighter Racer Award”.
