Stanton Township finished first in the tournament, held this year in Twin Lakes for the first time.

South Range and Houghton finished second and third, respectively.

Teams competed in four events. One was a barrel race; in another, firefighters assembled a water hose and knocked down a series of targets. In another, teams loaded one member on a stretcher into a rescue rig, then ran them around a course.

For the final “mystery event,” unveiled only at the competition, teams rushed to a simulated chimney fire, climbing a ladder to reach in with a brush.

David Archambeau/For the Gazette Hillary Maninga received this year’s State Volunteer/EMT of the Year during the Copper Country Firefighters Tournament in Twin Lakes over the weekend.

Planning started well in advance of last month’s lifting of all COVID-19 emergency orders.

“We didn’t know, but we were having it anyway, so we got lucky that it’s official,” said Twin Lakes Chief John Reynolds. “Everybody’s sick of it. They’ve got cabin fever. We’ve got amazing turnout.”

Going into the tournament, Reynolds hadn’t been sure how many teams would make it to Twin Lakes, a further drive than usual for most departments. But the morning meeting had the biggest turnout he’d seen. The parade also marked the first time M-26 had been shut down, Reynolds said.

Many of the departments were on the scene of last month’s fire in downtown Calumet that burned down three buildings.

“I think it’s in the back of everyone’s minds,” said Shylynn Winnie, who was there with Calumet Township firefighter Phil Frantti.

David Archambeau/For the Gazette Members of the South Range Fire Department compete in the Copper Country Firefighters Tournament in Twin Lakes over the weekend.

Firefighters and their families said the event builds camaraderie that comes in handy during a real event. Departments will often use the time to swap stories about past fires, and tips they’ve learned, Frantti said.

“It’s good to meet new people, or talk to ones you know,” said Calumet Township firefighter Dave Luoma.

Brian Mayworm received his 40-year volunteer firefighter certificate. He spent 11 years with Dollar Bay before joining Hurontown Fire & Rescue.

He had planned on retiring, but is sticking around until the department can attract more members. Authorized for up to 18 members, Hurontown only has 12.

“I don’t know what it is, but nobody wants to step up and put that extra effort in to be a volunteer firefighter,” he said. “There’s no money in it. You’ve got to have the pride to do something for your community.”

Six members joined last year, but only three lasted through the training, Mayworm said. Two of them were competing Saturday.

“They’re having a blast, I’m having a blast,” he said. “It’s been a lot of fun. As my wife says, it’s the one day of the year when it’s all about us.”

But his radio was just a few feet from where he was talking. And if a call went out, they and whatever other departments were needed would drop everything.

It hasn’t happened to him during the tournament. When he was with Dollar Bay, they were paged out just after the town’s Fourth of July parade.

“We all showed up in our dress uniforms,” he said. “We were the best-looking fire department ever to show up at a fire call.”