Alliance, OH – The weather was perfect again this year for Alliance Pump-In, held on the grounds of the historic Glamorgan Castle on Sunday August 3rd, 2019. There were fire trucks, and plenty to see and do at the 35th Annual Pump-In. The event was sponsored by the Alliance Firefighters Local 480 and was the kick-off event for the week-long Alliance Carnation Festival.

The oldest unit on display was brought by Ted Elder and family. Ted displayed the pumping capabilities of his 1925 Ahrens Fox 750-GPM Pumper, which previously served Dover, Ohio. Other classic trucks present were Rick Staffer’s 1968 Chevrolet Cab-Over FMC pumper, formerly from East Canton, and Henry Sheaffer’s 1951 Mack/American pumper that once served Canton Township. Another interesting truck that drew a lot of attention was Steve Clark’s 1976 Dodge/FMC mini-pumper that came from the Clark VFD of Clark, Pennsylvania.
There were a couple surprises this year including Heavy-Rescue 1 from Balitomore, Maryland which is now owned by a local collector. The 1993 E-One heavy rescue looked like it was ready to catch a fire. Berlin Township brought their new 2019 Sutphen Monarch 1500/1000/20 rescue pumper which featured a striking silver over red paint scheme. Another new truck this year was Alliance’s “new’ Rescue 16. The Ford/Medtec ambulance was obtained from Sarchione Ford who helped sponsor and letter the new unit.
Other units on display included Alliance's Pierce Dash CF E-13, Pierce Ladder 12, and, E-One Tower14, Lexington Twp’s Rosenbauer Ladder 3 and Medic 4, Atwater’s Kenworth/Sutphen T-118 and utility 1126, Marlboro Twp’s Peterbilt/Midwest T-118 and KME rescue pumper, Homeworth Vol. Fire Co. International/Pierce E-176, Washington Twp’s International/Rosenbauer pumper E-2, KME tanker T-1 and Polaris mini-Brush truck, Lexington Twp’s Spartan/Precision E-1, and Sebring’s Pierce Quantum L-1 and Ford F-250 Chief’s unit. The Stark FD Rehab Unit displayed several of their units and provided rehab services for firefighters and guests who needed a break from the heat and sun.
Other events that took place over the course of the day included timed firefighter relays, extrication demonstrations, and a water barrel tournament. Also present was a plywood house that allowed children to knock down flames with an attack line. A grand fire truck parade kicked off at 1:00 P.M., and the afternoon’s activities included an exciting and spirited water barrel completion. This year was noteworthy because Marlboro Township’s Team 1 and 2 took first and second place in all events after beating out some excellent competition to get to the finals.
The Alliance Pump-In is traditionally held in early August, in conjunction with the Alliance Carnation Festival. The Muster kicks off the week-long event, which includes a rib burn-off, balloon launch, concerts, beauty pageant, fashion show, golf tournament, road races, carnival rides and the Carnation Festival Grand Parade.