COLUMBUS, Ohio –
Defense Logistics Agency Columbus Fire and Emergency Services and Police Department held the fourth annual chili cook-off at the Defense Supply Center Columbus Fire Station May 24.
The chili cook-off was first initiated in 2016 as a means to celebrate Police Week and Emergency Medical Services Week.
National Police Week took place May 12 – 18. According to policeweek.org, in 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation that designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week.
In 1974, President Gerald R. Ford signed the Emergency Medical Services Systems bill and proclaimed Emergency Medical Services Week from November 3 - 10. In 1982, the observance moved to September and in 1992 the week moved to its current slot in May. These moves were made to separate EMS Week from Fire Prevention week in October.
“The full intent is also to build the comradery amongst the police officers and firefighters,” Assistant Fire Chief Paul Alexander said. “Between the two agencies, there was tough competition for the coveted first place trophy with 7 entries.”
At the end of the day the first place trophy went to Firefighter Thomas Chadima. Second and third place went to firefighters Joseph Dougher and Neil Cornett, respectively.