The Firemuster is an event in association with Fire Prevention Week that showcases various equipment from fire departments. Each year, the event rotates to a different location; last was in Cattaraugus, while this year Mayville was chosen to host the event.

“Cub scouting and scouting in general is always a learning experience,” said Joe Pillittieri, Allegheny Highlands District activities chairman. “We always try to incorporate learning and fun at the same time.”

Several fire departments participated this year including Mayville Fire Department, Chautauqua County Emergency Services, Dewittville Fire Department and Hartfield Fire Department and the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s bomb squad. A Starflight helicopter was scheduled to make a landing at the Firemuster.

The event was the largest in terms of the Cub Scouts turn out and the amount of agencies that collaborated. Pillittieri and Jennifer Obert helped organize the event and got a hold of Mayville Fire Chief John Crandall to set up the Firemuster event.

“To me, it was pretty easy to organize,” Crandall said. “Our neighboring departments, we all work well together.”

Crandall said the local fire departments were more than willing to participate and that they enjoy working with the Cub Scouts.

Each fire department brought a different aspect to showcase to the Cub Scouts. The Sheriff’s office bomb unit had their bomb robot on display for the Cub Scouts to view. Younger Cub Scouts were even allowed to use an active hose that was dispersing water into Chautauqua Lake.

“It’s awesome,” Crandall said of giving young cub scouts hands experience with fire equipment. “I think it’s real important, the recruitment and the retention right now is one of the big key issues of trying to get people into the volunteer services.”

Crandall said that the earlier exposure is important aspect of the Firemuster and the Cub Scouts in general and that it helps pique their interest and prepares them if they choose to volunteer later in life.

It was recently announced that in 2018, Cub Scouts would be welcoming girls into the fold making the Cub Scouts a co-educational program. All three organizers agreed that this was a positive step.

“I think that’s a great idea,” Obert said.

She said that since the Cub Scouts is a family oriented organization that children of either gender can now enjoy the Cub Scouts together.