Volunteer Firemen from all over the state will convene in Hamilton this weekend for the Montana State Volunteer Fire Fighters Association annual convention.  Many of them are already here - with their trucks.

"It's a big deal," said Tom Pitzinger of the Hamilton Department. "The whole state is coming."

"We opened up this convention and firefighters are coming from all over -- even from Alberta, Canada," added Troy Crawford also of the Hamilton Fire Department.

This convention will be a time for the state association to get together and discuss and analyze the big fires in Montana for the year:  Huntley Project School, Miles City, Whitehall, Bozeman and today's fire at Whalen Tire in Butte. 

"We'll discuss what went right and what went wrong," said Crawford.  "We can all learn from each other because Main Street in every town in Montana looks similar."

The convention includes business meetings, vendor displays, and training.

Training exercises include highway safety, legislative updates, land-based swift-water rescues (hosted by Ravalli County Search and Rescue), a trench rescue and a live burn in a trailer. "The Fire Service training school has a new trailer they are going to debut on Saturday," said Crawford.

 Volunteer Fire Departments dot the state. The only towns with paid firefighters are Missoula, Billings, Kalispell, Butte, and Great Falls. Lewistown, Livingston, and Whitefish have a combination of volunteer and paid firefighters.

"80% for all fire fighters in Montana are volunteers.  We all have jobs.  We all have families," said Pitzinger.

Pitzinger and Crawford have full time jobs at Car Quest Auto Parts in Hamilton.

There is also fun involved: BBQ, golf, a formal dinner with door prizes and raffles, opening ceremonies, and on Saturday the fire games and competitions.

The games and competitions will take place on Saturday at the South end of the Hamilton High School parking lot.

Pitzinger said Ron Ehli the Hamilton Fire chief has the fire station shined up and ready for guests.

"Everyone comes to check out the host departments' station and show off their own trucks too."  Trucks from Fort Benton, Blue Valley and Chinook had already arrived Thursday -  night blocking off a portion of State Street in Hamilton.

-Michelle McConnaha reporting for KPAX.com