by Allison Retka
Thisweek Newspapers

When organizers of the Burnsville Fire Muster decided to make the 25th anniversary of the annual community event even more special, they settled on two words: world record.

With news of the goal spreading across the country, setting the first world record for fire truck parades may be well within their grasp.

Committee members anticipate more than 100 fire trucks from the Midwest and beyond to participate in the event.

The Fire Muster will be doubly significant because the festival falls on the weekend of Sept. 11. A special 9/11 tribute is planned, with an estimated 400 firefighters and uniformed service people singing ìGod Bless America.î

Kevin Stirtz, Burnsville native and member of the musterís public relations committee, said that the tribute is a natural extension of the purpose of the Fire Muster; to honor the work of emergency service personnel.

ìFirefighters have really become the heroes of the day,î he said.

Given the high aims of this yearís Fire Muster, for the first time in the musterís history a special public relations committee was assembled to promote the event and garner regional and national attention for the city of Burnsville.

ìI think [the muster] is a point of civic pride,î Stirtz said. ìThereís a strong sense of community in Burnsville.î

Fire Chief Ron Payne has worked in the Burnsville Fire Department for 26 years, and said the muster symbolically expresses the communityís strong appreciation for local firefighters, but remains primarily a city-wide celebration.

Payne said his involvement with childrenís activities before and during the muster is the most rewarding part of the event.

He also said that amidst the hectic duties of area firefighters the day of the fire truck parade, it will be very meaningful to stop for the 9/11 tribute and honor not just firefighters, but every person who was lost in the tragedy three years ago.

In addition to commemorating 9/11 and chasing after the world record, this yearís Fire Muster will expand its activities and location, moving more events to the Heart of the City.

Some muster events include the fire truck parade on Saturday, the community parade on Sunday, a golf tournament, carnival rides, a motorcycle rally, an antique car show, music and food.

Promotion of the Fire Muster this year extended to a number of Midwest publications and Minnesota travel guides, said Melissa Flach, public relations committee member and executive director of the Burnsville Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Penny Johnson, chair of the PR committee, said a recent Google search of the Burnsville event returned more than 180 Web sites around the country that have posted information about the muster.

ìThe muster continues to grow and get bigger, and I love coming out there and seeing the community involvement,î Payne said. ìI always see a lot of friends.î

Allison Retka is a journalism student at Drake University, and may be contacted at AGR002@drake.edu.

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