The American Hose Co. No. 1 of Tamaqua won a state championship two Saturdays ago.

Over 40 fire company members traveled to Limerick to participate in the 142nd Pennsylvania State Firefighters Association Parade, hosted by the Limerick Fire Department.

“There are some guys there that have been parading and participating in parades like this for 50 years,” said Brian Connely, president of the American Hose No. 1.

“We had longtime members that were with us and have done this for quite a few years. It was nice to give those guys a win for a last state convention.”

There were several competition categories, which were judged by the N.J. Judges Association.

The American Hose won Best Appearing Fire Company Marching Unit 35 and over and took third place for Most Functional & Appearing Engine 1999 & Older.

“There’s never a level of expectation. You go out there, you’re prepared the best you can be prepared,” Connely said.

“At the end of the day, regardless if you win a trophy or not, you can say hey, we were prepared for it, we looked good and we competed very well. But this time we brought a trophy home, and it happens to be a state championship.”

Connely noted that other local companies such as Lake Harmony, Albrightsville and Mahanoy City also took some awards home.

“Usually the Carbon-Schuylkill area is well-represented, and it goes back to the tradition and the history that this area has for volunteers,” Connely added.

“The state fireman’s convention brings fire companies and department from all over the state to a centralized location. … The American Hose, and Tamaqua in general, has had some pretty rich history of state competition - whether it be fire apparatus or marching club. There is a long history there with the companies in town.”

Connely said this year marked the final state convention with a parade, as the state will be going to a conference-type format in the future.

“It’s disappointing with it being the last parade, but it’s happening all across the state where there is a lack of membership, a lack of those that want to be involved.

“What’s happened is, two larger state organizations have combined forces to hold one training-type conference. Therefore, there is a lack of those willing to take a parade of that size. It’s just what’s happening all around the state, all around the country really.”

Connely praised the community support, but the numbers are far too low.

“We have dwindling volunteers. We’re all doing the same thing with a limited amount of people,” Connely added.

“At some point, it becomes tough and not manageable. Over time, a lot of these things and places and volunteer companies are going away, because they just can’t remain under the way it always was. We have great support from the community, but again, those things are dwindling.”