By Karissa Niehoff, Executive Director of the National Federation of State High School Associations

Imagine the town you grew up in—but without high school sports.

Football stadiums with weeds at the 50-yard line, boarded concession stands, and collapsing bleachers. No banners in shop windows celebrating a conference championship. No pep rallies to get the school fired up for the biggest game of the year.

Hundreds of teenagers with lots of time on their hands, but nothing to do after school. This scenario threatens to become a reality sooner than you may think. Currently, a nationwide shortage of licensed high school officials is causing some high schools to postpone, or even cancel, athletic events. And because the number of retiring officials is far greater than the substantially fewer number of new ones, this challenge is becoming more acute every year.

To stop the decline, high school sports need you.

As a firefighter, you are one of the most admired and respected public servants in your community. Young people already look up to you. You’re flexible, adaptable and able to work with lots of different personalities. You’re a good communicator. You’re not afraid and can’t be intimidated. Most importantly, you know how essential it is to be a good team player every time the bell rings.

When you become a licensed high school official, you’ll take that same experience and knowledge from the firehouse into the gym to help the next generation become more disciplined, productive, empathic community leaders.

Stated another way, becoming a licensed high school official is a natural extension of the skills and interests you already have.

It’s also a great way to stay connected to a sport you love. And while the hours are flexible and you’ll earn a little extra income, the real reward will likely be those special times when a student-athlete looks you in the eye and says, “Thank you.”

If you’re ready to learn more about putting on the black and white stripes in behalf of the teenagers in your community, go to HighSchoolOfficials.com. You’ll soon see you’re a perfect fit.

Johnson Siding (SD) Fire Department Max-WASP wildland attack structural pumper. Ford F-550 four-wheel-drive four-door cab and chassis; Power Stroke 6.7L 330-hp engine; 4 Continental MPT 81 335/80 R 20 Super Single tires; Darley PSMC 1.500-gpm pump.

BY ALAN M. PETRILLO

It isn’t always necessary to have extra large pumps on vehicles or in portable unit form when water needs to be moved. Pump manufacturers have come out with a variety of pump models and styles that move water well without being a hulking chunk of piping and equipment.

HIGH-PRESSURE PUMPS

Justin Wilbur, product and business development manager for portable pumps at IDEX Fire Suppression Group’s Hale Products, says Hale makes several models of high-pressure, low-volume pumps that are widely used in wildland firefighting. “These pumps generate the power that pushes water long distances and up inclines,” Wilbur observes. “Our HP75 pump powered by a Briggs & Stratton 18-horsepower (hp) gasoline engine delivers a maximum flow of 150 gallons per minute (gpm) and a maximum pressure of 350 pounds per square inch (psi). With a 23-hp Briggs & Stratton engine, the HP75 puts out a maximum flow of 160 gpm and a maximum pressure of 425 psi.”

Jason Darley, North American sales manager for the pump division at W.S. Darley & Company, says all the portable pumps that Darley makes can be configured in either skid or portable versions. “The portable version has a roll cage with carrying handles that have springs and four locking points, so the handles can be depressed inward when not being used for carrying,” Darley points out. Darley makes the HGE 37V, which he says “is often placed on a skid and is powered by a Briggs & Stratton Vanguard 37-hp gasoline engine to develop 500 gpm at higher pressures that can be used for supply or fighting fires.” The HGE 37V develops higher pressures because it uses a gearbox that allows it to develop higher pressures needed for firefighting operations, Darley adds, and is electronically fuel injected.