BY JOHN E. USALIS
SHENANDOAH - There will be plenty of excitement Thursday afternoon when members of an international fire apparatus preservation association tour the Schuylkill Historical Fire Society.
The organization is the Society for the Preservation and Appreciation of Antique Motor Fire Apparatus in America, which has more than 3,000 members in more than 50 chapters in the world, with most chapters in the United States. Members don't have to own an antique piece of fire apparatus but only have an interest in preserving that historic fire equipment. The society was organized in Syracuse, N.Y., in 1958.
The visit is timed with members attending the 2013 SPAAMFAA National Convention and Muster from today to Saturday in Cherry Hill, N.J.
SHFC President Michael Kitsock is expecting three busloads of visitors from SPAAMFAA to arrive in Shenandoah about noon and stay for approximately two hours. The fire museum is located at 105 S. Jardin St.
"We're gearing up and pretty much in full gear," Kitsock said on Monday. "We have the bunting on the building and the banner is up. We've made arrangements for all of the food. We have the Percheron fire horses coming in and we'll have about 40 antique trucks parked in the unit and 100 blocks of South Jardin Street."
Aerial fire trucks will be there for the arch with the American flag.
"We will have displays set up and we're anticipating a very good day. And the bar will be open," Kitsock said.
The SPAAMFAA group will make its first stop in the area at the KME-Kovatch Organization fire apparatus plant in Nesquehoning before coming to Shenandoah.
"We have the spectrum covered from new to old," Kitsock said.
Kitsock is expecting a large number of visitors from the tour and local residents.
"With the SPAAMFAA delegation, we expect about 125 members, and with our members and guests and visitors, I'm thinking we'll have about 300 people there," Kisock said.
As for food, local businesses are participating to help with treating the important visitors to town. Donations of food are coming from the "Kielbasi Kings" - Capitol Food Market, Kowalonek's Kielbasy Shop, Lucky's Corner Deli and Kielbasi Shop - and from Ateeco Inc., maker of Mrs. T's Pierogies.
"We also have food contributions from our own members," Kitsock said. "It will be a Shenandoah feast that day. Kielbasi and pierogies. It's doesn't get better than that."
D.G Yuengling & Son Inc. donated the banner over West Centre Street near Jardin Street and door prizes.
"We will have a parade of a few of the antique trucks and the police will lead the buses into town," Kitsock said. "We will move to South Jardin Street. We will have the noon test of the Gamewell fire alarm system, which is about 120 years old and still works. We will give them a Shenandoah welcome from myself and borough Manager Joe Palubinsky. We will award the very nice door prizes, and then we will let them eat and enjoy our hospitality for a couple of hours."
According to the SHFS website, www.theshfs.org, the society is dedicated to the preservation of historical fire apparatus and memorabilia. Its collection encompasses fire engines, steamers, helmets, artifacts, and uniforms, which is housed in the museum, which also serves as the society's headquarters.
The fire society has numerous displays and exhibits of fire equipment and memorabilia for visitors throughout the building. Displays include more than 150 years of fire helmets, parade uniforms, a historical display of fire nozzles and breathing apparatus, an in-house Gamewell Alarm system and a photo wall of Schuylkill County's most serious fires.
The museum is open for fire department, school and private tours. There is no charge for tours but donations are accepted. Interested groups should call Kitsock at 570-628-3691 or William Kline at 570-622-3678 to schedule a tour.
Information about SPAAMFAA can be found on the organization's website at www.spaamfaa.org.