CONEMAUGH, CAMBRIA COUNTY - Fire fighters with an inspiring story win big at the firemen's convention.

An area firemen's association is wrapping up their annual convention in Conemaugh Cambria County. It's a tradition that's been going on for almost nine decades. And the winners have fought through a lot to get where they are.

The East Taylor Volunteer Fire Company won the Cambria Vicinity Firemen’s Association Friday night. They clenched their victory in the bucket brigade competition. East Taylor has come in second a few times but this is the first win anyone can remember. The team says they were able to win by working together. They had a big cheering section to help them out too.

Alan Buchan is a third generation East Taylor fire fighter, and he's been with the company for 15 years. In 2003 he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, he went through chemotherapy but didn't stop him from reporting for duty. He says it’s in his blood to help people.

He doesn't like to talk about it but it inspires his teammates. Frank Bailey suffered a spinal cord injury. He says when he hurt his back he thought about quitting, but seeing what Buchan was fighting through made him believe he could do the same.

The fire fighters say the convention is a chance for them to relax and interact with the community in a different way. It wraps up with a parade in Saturday night.