Bryan Harpster, driver/paramedic at Station 2, A Shift, represented the Garland Fire Department Saturday, Sept. 8 at the 17th Guns & Hoses Boxing Tournament. The annual tournament pits area firefighters and police officers against each other in the boxing ring to raise money for the families of first responders who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
According to Dave Swavey, Guns & Hoses founder and former Garland police lieutenant, the 2018 event was the largest one to date with 42 boxers and 21 bouts.
Harpster, who has been with GFD for seven years, said that he trained for the tournament for about 10 weeks at Barney and Me in McKinney. His dedication paid off as he won his bout against a Dallas police officer.
Harpster said that he doesn’t think he will fight again next year, but added that it’s a long time from now and he could change his mind.
Participating in the Guns & Hoses Boxing Tournament was a rewarding experience for him.
“Since becoming a firefighter and seeing the challenges that we and police go through after a death is nothing I would wish on anyone,” Harpster said. “In Garland we are very fortunate that the fire department and police department get along and we almost have a joint brotherhood.”
He added that helping to raise money for another brother and their family, even though they are not with Garland, is a really great feeling.
“Guns and Hoses is an amazing organization and getting to meet the beneficiaries and see how it truly helped them in a time of need was a great experience,” Harpster said.
The North Texas Guns & Hoses group includes the counties of Wise, Denton, Collin, Hunt, Palo Pinto, Parker, Tarrant, Dallas, Rockwall, Kaufman, Erath, Hood, Somervell, Johnson, Ellis, Navarro, Cooke, Taylor and Jones.
About: The Guns & Hoses Foundation of North Texas is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing immediate financial assistance to the families of fallen first responders lost in the line of duty. The foundation also contributes to children’s charities supported by local police and fire departments.
Mission: The Guns & Hoses Foundation of North Texas is to show our respect and gratitude for police and fire fighters lost in the line of duty. We are dedicated to provide monetary support for the families of fallen police and fire fighters in the hour of need.
Photos provided by Dora Alvarez, talesfromthewayside.com.