Highlights of the IFBA-SPAAMFAA 2022 Convention
Friendships were made and renewed at the first post-covid live convention since 2019. It was also the first joint convention in many years.
Following membership and board meetings, convention attendees had opportunities for well organized bus trips, antique fire apparatus activities, and informative seminars. The convention venue had numerous places to meet with friends and associates.
Tours of fire museums, fire departments in the Merrimack Valley and Battle Roads areas and shopping at the New Hampshire outlet stores were conducted. The Bedford Fire Department hosted breakfast and one group lunched at Boston’s Faneuil Hall. Tour bus drivers showed their skill navigating area traffic.
Presentations on fire apparatus design, fireground photography, vintage fire video, rehab apparatus, restorations, history of leather fire helmets and Maxim fire apparatus were offered. Boston Fire tackled a 5th alarm high rise fire on Friday.
SPAAMFAA members brought their apparatus, filling the convention hotel parking lot. On a clear, sunny Saturday, apparatus was paraded to the Aleppo Shriners Hall for a muster and a collectables flea market. A highlight was the Handtub Muster where participants could experience what early 1800’s firefighting was like.
The convention rounded out with a banquet attended by over 300 people. The next issue of Turn Out will have details and photos.