Murrieta Fire & Rescue Celebrates 76th Anniversary with Historic Firefighter’s BBQ
Murrieta Fire & Rescue (MFR) is excited to once again host its popular annual Firefighter’s BBQ on Saturday, April 15, 2023, from 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. at Murrieta’s Town Square Park. This year’s event will be bigger than ever, with live music at Murrieta’s Town Square Park Amphitheater, a variety of activities throughout the day, vendors, and other activities.
The Murrieta Firefighter’s BBQ is one of Riverside County’s longest-running events, with the first barbecue held in 1948. As is the tradition, barbecue guests will enjoy a smoked tri-tip lunch, music, beer and wine garden, cornhole tournament, and a vendors’ market.
The event is open to the public and free to attend. Attendees will get to cheer on fire explorers from throughout Southern California in the annual Fire Explorers “Muster” Competition. The day will be filled with fun, food, and entertainment and is a way for the community to show their support for the dedicated public safety personnel serving at MFR. It is also a way for MFR to show its appreciation for the community it has served the past 76 years. In addition to the traditional barbecue fare, the event will feature additional food options and general vendors, live music, and a DJ. Fun for all ages, this is an event the community won’t want to miss.
MFR Fire Chief Bernie Molloy expressed his pride for the service that Murrieta Fire provides to the community. “I am incredibly proud of Murrieta Fire & Rescue and the service that our team provides. We have a strong culture that has been built over the last 76 years, and it is an honor to share part of that culture with the community,” shared Chief Molloy. Murrieta Fire & Rescue celebrates its 76th anniversary the day after this year’s Firefighters BBQ, on April 16. It was on that day in 1947 that the citizens of Murrieta voted to form the Murrieta Fire Protection District. With $1,400 donated by the community, the Fire District purchased a 1941 International 4x4 crash truck. At the toll of a bell atop the Methodist Church, the 10 Fire District volunteers responded to six calls that first year. In 1987, Murrieta Fire & Rescue changed from an all-volunteer fire district to a combined career and volunteer-staffed Fire District. Always on the cutting edge of fire protection, in July 1990, it was the first fire department in Riverside County to implement the Emergency Medical Technician - Defibrillator (EMT-D). In August of 2018, MFR became the first accredited fire agency in Riverside County and the 18th in the state.
Attending the event is free and open to the public, with a nominal fee for the barbecue lunch. MFR is currently accepting applications for event vendors. Interested vendors should visit MFRBBQ.com to access the vendor application. The MFRBBQ.com website also provides general information about the event. And be sure to follow @murrietafire on Instagram and Facebook for timely updates about this year’s Firefighters BBQ.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Dawn Morrison, Murrieta Fire & Rescue PIO
2 Town Square, Murrieta, CA 92562
(951) 461-6154 | dmorrison@murrietaca.gov
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