No fewer than 63 sports will be organized at the World Police & Fire Games 2022 this summer. From major (cycling, football) through small (jiu jitsu, squash) to unknown sports (stair race, arm wrestling). And there is another category: the sports that originate from the four services that are represented at the WPFG. The fire sport muster fits into this outdoor category.
This sport was recently demonstrated at the Krimpen aan den IJssel Penitentiary Institution (PI). A special demonstration with a goal: special, because Mayor of Krimpen aan den IJssel, Vroom was one of the participants. The goal was to test the hose cart made by inmates. The hose cart was designed, drawn up and manufactured with and by inmates and the labor staff at the Krimpen aan den IJssel metal department. This is part of In-Made, the penitentiary production companies of the corrections service personnel (DJI).
Muster is divided into two parts: hose cart and bucket brigade. The first part was practiced in Krimpen aan den IJssel, a town east of Rotterdam.
Fit firefighters with an explosive sprint ability
A team of six firefighters travels 100 meters as quickly as possible with the cart on which the fire hose is rolled up, before unrolling the hose and connecting it. Three team members run 30 meters away, one of them rams an axe into a block of wood, the other two put out a fire that is crackling 15 meters away. The fastest team wins. It is a short running discipline with firefighting skills that you must perform quickly and accurately to set a fast time. Fit firefighters with an explosive sprint ability are desired at the hose cart.
The used car was made by inmates of the PI Krimpen aan den IJssel and shines in the rain in the large parking lot in front of the prison. Big metal wheels on the side, a round moving bar in the middle and all in firefighter red. The cart was made under the direction and supervision of the foreman of the institution. They started working with only an image as an example. They were able to determine their own measurements and materials to be used. That inmates have started working for the police (and other services) is special and some of them are also proud that they have been able to make something as tangible as a hose cart. The cart complies, drives smoothly and will also be used at the WPFG2022, a second cart is even being prepared.
“Great to be involved in the WPFG2022 in this way”
The collaboration between the organization of the World Police & Fire Games 2022 and the institution also makes Mayor Vroom proud. “For sure, the PI occupies an important place in our village. From a social and socio-economic point of view, for example, it is good for employment. It is special that this cart was made here and that we are also involved in the WPFG2022 in this way," says the mayor, who was eager to act as one of the firefighters at the demonstration. “Great to be able to put on such a suit and participate. I really wanted to do this.”
Krimpen aan den IJssel is investigating the possibilities of supporting the WPFG2022 in other ways as well. “The event is alive with our services and it will only increase in the coming months, especially with our fire brigade. For example, we are looking at housing in our barracks, maybe we can open it up. It is a really big event, make no mistake, if I can do something on a voluntary basis myself, I will certainly not fail to do so.”