This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Protection Engine Co. #1 represents Westchester County in Tri-State Area Fire Department Chili Cook-off

PLEASE COME DOWN AND SUPPORT PROTECTION ENGINE CO. #1. - ENGINE 44
 

After entries were submitted from all across the tri-state area, Protection Engine Co. # 1 – Hastings on Hudson Volunteer Fire Department was selected as a semi-finalist to represent Westchester County in the CBS Radio New York’s Firehouse Chili Cook-off. On Sunday, December 8, 2013, at Miller’s Ale House in Levittown, Long Island, Protection Engine competed against 3 other firehouses from the area that included, Long Beach Professional Fire Fighters – Engine Company 3 (Long Beach & Atlantic Beach), Glenville Volunteer Fire Company – Station 4 (Greenwich, CT), and Rockville Center Fire Department – Eureka Hook & Ladder Company # 1 (Nassau County). Each semi-finalist had the chance to impress the judges, which included former New York Giant and CBS Sports Radio host, Tiki Barber, as well as former NFL punter Sean Landeta. The voting ended up going to a fan vote as both Tiki and Sean could not agree on winner, and with 36% of the votes, Protection Engine was crowned the winner.


Other semi-finals will be held this month and on January 12, 2014 at Suite 36 in New York City (16 West 36th Street) Protection Engine will face off in the final round, where the ultimate Firehouse Chili Cook-off winner will be decided and whose chili recipe reigns supreme. The grand prize winning firehouse will receive VIP tickets to a 2014 New York Yankees game at Yankee Stadium as well bragging rights.


Regardless of the outcome, Protection Engine already considers themselves a winner to be able to take part in this opportunity. Each semi-finalist received a $500 donation to a charity of their choice. Protection’s choice was “Hope for the Warriors” (http://www.hopeforthewarriors.org/), which is a nonprofit organization to help enhance the quality of life for post-9/11 service members, their families, and families of the fallen who have sustained physical and psychological wounds in the line of duty. Protection Engine currently has 2 members who are serving with the military, George Moore, who was recently promoted to Petty Officer with the Navy serving on the USS George Washington in Japan and Pfc Don Wemer, Jr. who is with the Marines as a Red Patch basic landing support specialist stationed at Camp Pendleton in CA. Fans and friends are encouraged to attend, and help cheer on head chef, Don Wemer, Sr. and the members of Protection Engine Co. #1 and sample some chili.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?