Main Awards

Joseph Gindele Best in Show Award
MDA Fill the Boot Peoples Choice Award
Dick Baus Award Best Antique
David L. Humphreys Award Best Fire Dept Owned Apparatus 
Best Privately Owned Apparatus Award
Best Overall Drill Team Award
KME Senior Class Award
Harvey J. Lewis Memorial Volunteer Service Award

Fire Dept. Owned Apparatus Awards

Best Non-Motorized.....1st & 2nd Places

Best Pre-1940 Pumper.....1st & 2nd Places

Best 1940 - 1955 Pumper.....1st & 2nd Places

Best 1956 - 1971 Pumper.....1st & 2nd Places

Best 1972 - 1980 Pumer.....1st & 2nd Places

Best 1981 - 1994 Pumper.....1st & 2nd Places

Best 1995 - Present Pumper.....1st & 2nd Places     

Best Chief Vehicle.....1st Place

Best Tanker.....1st Place

Best Aerial.....1st Place

Best Tower/Snorkel/Squrt.....1st Place

Best Heavy Rescue.....1st Place

Best Rescue/Pumper.....1st Place

Best Special Service.....1st Place

Privately Owned Apparatus Awards

Best Non-Motorized.....1st & 2nd Places

Best Pre-1940 Motorized.....1st & 2nd Places

Best 1940 - 1955 Motorized.....1st & 2nd Places

Best 1956 - 1970 Motorized.....1st & 2nd Places

Best 1971 or Newer Motorized.....1st & 2nd Places

The Joseph Gindele Award

The Joseph Gindele Award for the Best in Show is named after Battalion Chief Joseph H. Gindele, Jr. Chief Gindele joined the Philadelphia Fire Department in 1947 as a member of Engine 15. He was very active in the fire prevention arena and a recipient of the department’s highest honor, the Heroism Award. Besides his official duties with the department, Chief Gindele was an expert historian on the Philadelphia Fire Department and is responsible for the founding of Fireman’s Hall Museum and the German-American Firefighters Association. He served in the US Army during World War II and continued as a reservist after his discharge. On December 8, 1979, while attending an Army Reserve Banquet, Battalion Chief Joseph H. Gindele suddenly collapsed and died. Joe came from a firefighting family whose total firefighting experience was 113 years when he passed away at age 55. In keeping with the proud tradition of preserving the history of the Philadelphia Fire Department, this award is named in his honor.

The MDA Fill the Boot Peoples’ Choice Award

The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) is a national voluntary health agency working to defeat more than 40 neuromuscular diseases through programs of worldwide research, comprehensive services and far-reaching professional and public health education. The Association’s programs are funded almost entirely by individual private contributors. Since 1954 the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) has made MDA their mission, and in the process become the single largest sponsor of the Association - raising more than $300 million to support the battle against muscle-wasting diseases. Over the years the members of IAFF Local 22 have helped the cause by raising well over $1,000,000 through the “Fill the Boot” campaign. This campaign has IAFF members man street corners all over the city several times during the year with boots in hand to collect donations. In keeping with the Fill the Boot theme, attendees of the muster get a chance to vote for their favorite fire truck by placing votes (in the form of dollars) in boots placed in front of apparatus. At the end of the day the apparatus with the most votes wins! All monies collected in the competition are donated to the MDA.

The Dick Baus Award

The Dick Baus Award for Best Antique apparatus is named in honor of Richard V. Baus, Sr. Dick was the President of the Gibson Road Antique Fire Association when he passed away on July 1, 2006 at the age of 72 after a lengthy illness. Dick was a charter member of GRAFA and also a member of the Union Fire Company. He was instrumental in the re-establishment of the Fireman’s Hall Museum Muster in 2005. He was a go to guy for those interested in restoring antique fire apparatus and was willing to help anyone who asked. In keeping with Dick’s dedication to preserving historical firefighting apparatus the Best Antique award is named in his honor.

The David L. Humphreys Award

The David L. Humphreys Award for Best Appearing Fire Department Owned Apparatus is named in honor of Assistant Engineer David L. Humphreys. Humphries was an original member of the paid Philadelphia Fire Department when it was formed on March 15, 1871. On Saturday, November 30, 1872 at 1:18 PM Box 3, 2nd and Dock Streets, was struck. Upon arrival members found smoke showing from the second floor of four story tall building. Assistant Engineer Humphreys arrived at the fire soon after the companies went into service. While investigating the extent of the fire, Assistant Engineer Humphreys was climbing a ladder when it suddenly broke throwing him and several other firefighters to the ground. Humphreys was fatally wounded in the fall and thus became the first member of the Philadelphia Fire Department to die in the line of duty. At the time of his death he was 31 years old. Today, there are still descendants of Assistant Engineer David Humphreys on the fire department here in Philadelphia. In keeping with the proud professional firefighting tradition of the Humphrey’s Family this award is named in his honor.

The KME Senior Class Award

Although winners of the Best in Show Award are not eligible to win it again for three years, they can still take part in the events. The KME Senior Class Award is awarded to prior winners of the Best in Show Award in the preceding year, that continue to participate in the muster, giving it their all, putting the long hours of effort and elbow grease that it takes to win.

The Harvey J. Lewis Memorial Volunteer Service Award

At 15, Harvey J. Lewis was a cadet in the Philadelphia Police Explorers program, a seventh grader who did well in school, and aspiring Philadelphia police officer. Harvey Lewis wanted a better life, to get away from violence, and to help others. He was a young man that was willing to do anything. On April 19, 2009 he died after becoming an innocent victim of gun violence in his Grays’ Ferry Neighborhood. Harvey was one of volunteers at the 2008 Muster. It is through the efforts of people like Cadet Lewis that makes today possible. All of the work to make today possible is done by volunteers. The award is presented to the Muster volunteer that exemplifies the values of dedication, hard work and selflessness that make the Muster possible.