Murrieta firefighters hold 64th annual barbecue

Where there is smoke there must be a fire. This time the smoke in Murrieta had firemen downtown for a five-alarm barbecue.

Local firefighters showed off their culinary skills as they served up 1900 pounds of beef, slow cooked in a deep pit for 24 hours at the Murrieta Fire Departments 64th annual barbecue.

The secret recipe and unique cooking process created a one-of-a-kind tender, smoky barbecue-flavored meal for more than a thousand visitors. Citizens came from around the southwest Riverside County area to meet some of the cities finest in front of Fire Station No. 1 on Juniper Street.

The third longest running event in Riverside County began on April 17, 1948 to celebrate the completion of the city’s first fire station. The fire department began as an all volunteer force in 1947 and the citizens raised that first year $1400 to purchase the fire districts first vehicle. A bell from atop the Methodist Church served as fire calls for the ten volunteer firemen.

“The barbecue used to be a fundraising event for the fire department but now it’s a break-even event, “ said Battalion Chief Pat Jennings. “It’s a way for our crews to give back to the community.”

Jennings said the event is also a way for the community to come out and meet the men and women whose jobs are to protect them.

Residents were given tours of Fire Station No. 1 to see how they lived and worked on the job

“I love this,” said Mary Sousounis, a mother of two and resident of Murrieta, “I got to take a tour of the fire department, and see their life saving procedures. I haven’t visited a fire department in 20 years.”

Firefighters also held demonstrations to show off their latest life-saving capabilities. Paramedics allowed children and adults to practice pumping air into a mechanical valve on test dummies and fire crews showed off the mechanics of car-lifting rescue, and vehicle cut and rescue demonstrations.

Fireman and paramedic, Jake Wright, a four-year veteran, said he enjoyed getting the chance to interact with the public and show off what they can do.

“The Murrieta community is very supportive of our fire department. All year long residents will stop by the station to bring us homemade food as their way to say thank you,” said Wright.

Despite the cities touch economic situation, Jennings said the city managed to not raise ticket prices this year and the number of vendors tripled from last year.

“We hit an event record with 91 booths, our first beer garden, which was a success, and our first reunion booth,” said Jennings.

Jennings who grew up in Murrieta, views the firemen’s barbecue as a hometown reunion for the city. He was pleased to see his alma mater, Murrieta Elementary School hold its own reunion booth.

Murrieta resident Jen Grippa, who brought her children and family to the event, said she loved the live music.

“We have been coming here for four years,” she said. “It’s a real homey hometown event.”

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