DEL MAR -- Visitors to the San Diego County Fair got to see a new and exciting sight Saturday afternoon as nearly 100 fire engines from all over the county gathered for the Burn Institute's 19th annual Viejas Fire Expo and Firefighter Combat Challenge.
"The parade was great," said Jackson Gilman of Murrieta, who clearly was thrilled to wave at the long procession of fire trucks, and not just red ones but "green and white and orange!"
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The 7-year-old student of E. Hale Curran Elementary School was there to cheer on his father, Mark Gilman of Murrieta Fire Station 25, who was competing in the Combat Challenge with 38 other individuals, 10 teams of three to five members and 12 tandem teams of two members each. The competitors must wear full firefighting gear and breathing apparatus, which together can weigh up to 50 pounds, as they perform five consecutive firefighting tasks.
Viejas Fire Department division Capt. Bob Pfohl said he was there as a fierce competitor and a proud board member of the Burn Institute. He added that he was very happy the competition moved to the fairgrounds this year.
"It brings in more people and exposes them to the wonderful things the Burn Institute does for burn prevention and victim support," said Pfohl.
"Nothing is more near and dear to firefighters' hearts, and all the money raised goes to burn camp, burn prevention and survivor support."
Previously, the fire expo was held at Qualcomm stadium in July.
This year many fairgoers stopped by to check out the live demonstrations.
"We are glad to know where our tax dollars are going," said Lori Goodale of Escondido.
"Where are our marshmallows?" joked her husband, John Goodale, as the Rancho Santa Fe Fire Department ignited an older model sedan using a tray of gasoline. Heat from the flames could be felt from 150 feet away as the firefighters rushed in, extinguishing the flames in less than two minutes.
While only a handful of departments were selected to do the demonstrations, hundreds of firefighters proudly took part in the expo.
Ruby Zwicker and Liz Scott, firefighter/emergency medical technicians for the San Pasqual Reservation Fire Department, said the expo gives firefighters from around the county an opportunity to bond with each other each year, and it lets the public know the departments are "available and ready to help."
In addition to the live demonstrations, several departments offered educational booths. At one, firefighters gave away hundreds of free smoke alarms to senior citizens and coupon-holders.
The nonprofit Burn Institute's goal is to reduce the number of burn injuries and deaths in San Diego, Imperial, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. It was founded in 1972 and helped establish the UCSD Regional Burn Center.
"We are so grateful to the San Diego County Fair, Viejas and Sempra for sponsoring this great event," said James Floros, executive director/CEO of the institute. "The burn expo is about a lot of things but the No. 1 thing is to raise money for the Burn Institute."
